First Ukrainian family settle independently in Melksham

A FAMILY from Ukraine who had to flee the war have become the first in Wiltshire to settle into their own independent accommodation, moving into their own home in Melksham, with the support of Wiltshire Council.

Yuksel and Alina Yildirim had to flee their home in Kyiv with their two children when the war started last year.

After staying in Trowbridge, they have now moved into their own home in Melksham, with the help of Wiltshire Council’s government funding to purchase 24 homes across Wiltshire for Ukrainian families.

Alina Yildirim said, “We are finally settled and thank the Melksham community for being so welcoming. Everyone has been so supportive. This is the happiest we have been in the last one year and a half since we had to leave our home in Kyiv. As parents, we care for our children and our children are happy here, so we are happy parents. We really like it here, it is peaceful, it is quiet and it is a calm place.”

Yuksel and Alina were the first to move last month, but they now have Ukrainian neighbours who have moved in under the same scheme.

Yuksel said, “We came over to the UK and first went to stay with family, setting up our lives in Trowbridge. Our children went to school and alongside my wife, I went to language school and then later I found employment.

“We are really happy with our current accommodation and this is the first time we have called a house our home. I want to thank Wiltshire Council for all the help and support. I hope they will continue their support for many more people in the same situation as ourselves. Please do not stop the financial and emotional support you are giving to the Ukrainian families fleeing from the war. We hope the war ends soon, so we can all return back to our homes.”

Leader of Wiltshire Council, cllr Richard Clewer, visited the family in Melksham as they settled into their new home and said, “Wiltshire has led the way in welcoming people from Ukraine and making them feel at home. We are grateful to our many hosts, who continue to provide space and a warm welcome to Ukrainian guests. For those who can no longer stay with hosts, we encourage them to speak to their case worker and explore all options.

“These homes are for the families who are in desperate need. We are no doubt one of the first councils in the country to provide homes in this way. It was a joy to meet Yuksel and Alina today at their new home, where they are settling in well, and I am sure we will have many more good news stories to share in the near future.

“We know that in Wiltshire there are people looking for housing and finding it difficult. While this government funding has to be used specifically for Ukrainian people now, longer term it is an investment for Wiltshire residents, providing more housing stock for the future.”

Wiltshire has welcomed 1,447 guests into the county so far and is one of the top authorities in England for taking in Ukraine nationals due to the war.

Of the 1,447 Ukrainians who have settled in Wiltshire, 173 families have now moved into private rented accommodation, whilst the council’s Homes for Ukraine team has secured 83 rematches with new hosts from within Wiltshire and a further 27 who have been matched into Wiltshire from other local authorities; this is a mixture of community-led, independent and Homes for Ukraine-facilitated matching.

For Ukrainians seeking private accommodation and for those who do not have the means to support themselves, Wiltshire is using government Ukraine funding to provide the first month’s rent in advance and a deposit.

The scheme only applies to people who have found a property with a reasonable rent, which may be at the local housing allowance rate or at a rate that is deemed as affordable for the family in the longer term. The council is also using government funding to provide a one-off lump sum moving grant for the physical costs of moving, including purchasing furniture.

The funding for the 24 homes is a result of a successful application for a Local Authority Housing Fund grant for the purchase of properties to be used for Ukrainian housing.

People who have queries on Ukraine matters can find information on Wiltshire Council’s website, https:// www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/6167/Wiltshire-stands-with-Ukraine. If there are specific questions related to being a host or providing community support people can email the dedicated Ukraine inbox which is H4U@wiltshire.gov.uk