A local man has set up a Facebook group for people across the Vale to lend advice and support on offering their homes to Ukrainian refugees.

Toby Lewis, 50, a sales manager who lives in Aberthin, set up 'Vale of Glamorgan – Homes for Ukraine Refugees (Support Group)' in response to the government's Homes for Ukraine scheme for people to share advice, experiences and make connections.

"A lot of people registered for the government's scheme on the first day it launched, but a lot of people I know were thinking, 'what happens next?' and we all want to make the process for Ukrainian refugees as simple and easy as possible," said Mr Lewis.

"If there are people in a similar situation, we could then share our thoughts, best practices, or any tips. It's about helping people to coordinate their experiences."

Mr Lewis told Nub News that he felt setting up the group was the right thing to do and follows a family tradition of offering a home to refugees. "My grandparents took in refugees during the war and ended up adopting some of them as they didn't have homes or families to go back to," said Mr Lewis.

"My uncle also sponsored students from all over the world to come and live at his house and help those students who were from poor families to access education."

Despite only setting up the Facebook group yesterday evening (March 22), Mr Lewis has already seen a lot of interest and hopes the group will become a central support hub for people that are offering a home to refugees.

"It would be great to all work together, make sure all the families know each other, maybe arrange days out together, share information about schools – whatever can make this a positive experience, that's the main achievement we're all aiming for," said Mr Lewis.

Mr Lewis has been asked to speak about the Facebook group at a public meeting on the Ukraine crisis tonight (March 23) at Brynhill Golf Club in Barry, hosted by Alun Cairns MP.

Click here to join the Facebook group.