Helping Irish Hosts plan information evening
An information evening for people hosting displaced Ukrainians will take place next week in Cork city.
Helping Irish Hosts is encouraging anyone hosting displaced Ukrainians to attend their Host Roadshow which is rolling into Cork on Wednesday 8 May at 7pm in the Council Chambers, in collaboration with Cork City Council, to provide up to date information for anyone who is currently hosting, as well as guidance for anyone considering signing up to host.
The event is an opportunity for hosts to get together and share experiences and lessons learned, while receiving on the spot advice from experts and local support organisations for any stage of the hosting journey - from the early days of sharing a home to supporting guests with moving on once the arrangement is due to come to an end.
Helping Irish Hosts Co-Founder and CEO Angie Gough said: “Last year we surveyed over 1,400 hosts and found that 92% have had a positive experience and 76% would recommend hosting. It’s just fantastic to hear.
“We know that the Accommodation Recognition Payment plays an important role in allowing people to keep hosting but so too does the wraparound support provided by ourselves and our partners, the Irish Red Cross and IOM.
“However, we estimate that a minimum of 23% of all matches are made privately and we want to ensure these ‘DIY hosts’ as we call them, are aware of the support that’s available to them should they need it.”
In Cork, there are currently 1,700 displaced Ukrainians living in 863 host homes or pledged properties. This represents 18% of the total number of Ukrainians in the county. Hosting plays a significant role in Ireland’s accommodation of displaced Ukrainians and offers a pathway to integration and many positive benefits for individuals and communities across the country.
Helping Irish Hosts is an organisation that arose in direct response to the Ukraine Crisis, exists to match hosts with Ukrainian guests and offer support and guidance throughout the entire hosting journey.
Register for the Host Roadshow on Eventbrite.