How to sponsor or host Ukrainian refugees, information on thank you payments and what support you'll get.
We need more sponsors and hosts in Bristol to help us find homes for Ukrainian refugees.
Become a sponsor
You can sponsor an individual or a family, if you have enough space to accommodate them.
You will need to make sure you meet the criteria to become a sponsor and that your accommodation is suitable before applying.
Find out how to sponsor someone or a group to come to Bristol from Ukraine (GOV.UK).
Become a host
There are families and individuals already in Bristol, who need of accommodation because their existing arrangements have come to an end. This is also known as rematching.
If you'd like to become a host to help them find a home, email homesforukraine@bristol.gov.uk
What you need to consider
Being a host can be very rewarding, but there are some important things you should think about before agreeing to host.
As a host, you will have:
- extra household costs with more people living in your home
- to communicate with guests who don't speak your first language fluently
- changes in your household when sharing your home with guests
- differences in living habits, including household tasks and eating preferences
- to decide on boundaries and how you want to live together
Guests already living in the UK and wanting to rematch usually need less support than someone just arriving in the country.
Many guests have already found work and are settling into the area, making them more self-sufficient.
You will meet the guest first before you both commit to the rematch. This will be by video call or in person.
You should be able to offer a spare room or home for at least 6 months.
Before you become a host, we will carry out eligibility, safeguarding, DBS and accommodation checks.
Thank you payments
As a sponsor or host, you will receive a monthly payment from the UK government as a thank you for hosting.
You will get:
- £350 a month during the first 12 months of a guest's stay
- £500 a month once a guest has been in the UK for 12 months
To help with the increased cost of living, we will also pay an additional £100 for each guest (a maximum of £300) on top of the government payments during the first 12 months of a guests stay.
Payments for the first 12 months' of your guests stay
| Number of guests | Government thank you payment | Bristol additional payment | Total monthly payment |
| 1 | £350 | £100 | £450 |
| 2 | £350 | £200 | £550 |
| 3 or more | £350 | £300 | £650 |
Payments once guests have been in the UK for 12 months
| Number of guests | Government thank you payment | Bristol additional payment | Total monthly payment |
| 1 | £500 | £500 | |
| 2 | £500 | £50 | £550 |
| 3 or more | £500 | £150 | £650 |
The thank you payment is available for a maximum of two years after a guest arrives.
The Bristol cost of living top up will be reviewed January 2024
If a guest moves to a new host, they will receive the payment amount according to the tables above.
Support for a host
We will give you support for as long as you need it.
Refugee Welcome Homes, who work with us to support hosts, provide resources, information and training for you, including:
- the realities of hosting and how to make it work
- how to deal with trauma in adults, children and our own possible vicarious trauma
- intercultural awareness, including some information about Ukrainian culture
- a session on the options for yourself and your guests after your hosting ends
- where to go for mental health support
- how to make a household agreement