Peterborough Cathedral is again calling out for hosts able to provide accommodation for Ukrainian people fleeing the ongoing conflict.

The request for hosts comes as the conflict continues and the need for hosts remains a priority for the cathedral as people continue to flee to the Peterborough area.

Chief financial officer and administrator of the cathedral, Jan Armitage, has said there's dozens of families for each one they're in contact with at the cathedral and dozens more still desperate to leave Ukraine but need a host to do so.

Family groups can be one to six people and support is available via the cathedral project and Citizens UK to "ensure a successful outcome for both the host and the guests" the cathedral says.

Including a confidential multistage matching process and both pre-and post-arrival advice for refugees and hosts.

The UK government is still offering support to hosts with their "thank you" payments of £350 per month for up to 12 months and £500 thereafter.

Guests can claim benefits on arrival until they settle and find work, as well as being entitled to NHS services and children will be found school places.

Jan said: “I’d encourage anyone who feels they may be able to provide accommodation, whether in their own home or in a vacant property, to get in touch and we will do everything we can to support you through the matching and settling-in process.”

The cathedral has been working with Citizens UK since April 2022, establishing a "Welcoming Network" for those arriving in the Peterborough area offering weekly meetings for Ukrainian guests at Almoner’s Hall in the Cathedral Precincts.

These sessions are available to any Ukrainians, whether they have hosts or arrived through the family visa route.

This ongoing work is alongside the gifts to over 65 children from Ukrainian families at Christmas, each child also received a copy of HELLO Привіт teaching Ukrainian children about settling in to their new life in the UK, and co-ordinating local fundraising for the collection and delivery of medical and generator supplies to Ukraine.

To find out more can get in touch, email: ukraine@peterborough-cathedral.org.uk, or call the project coordinator, Jurgita Bilinskiene, on: 07306 885214 between 9am and 12pm.

Information is also available at: www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/ukraine.aspx