As the Welsh Government announced on June 8 that it was putting new applications for sponsorship on pause, a woman who lives near Cowbridge has described the highs and lows of hosting a Ukrainian family.  

Hilary Bevington, 74, is retired and lives in the small hamlet of Sigingstone. She tells Cowbridge Nub News about why she decided to become a host. "I said to my husband I want to do it and he looked at me a bit peculiar," she says.  

"But when you think about it, what if this was happening to you or your children and grandchildren? What if we had to go to Poland or somewhere? Some people have come up to me and said 'you're awfully kind and good', but I don't think I am at all – it's just a natural thing for me to do." 

Mrs Bevington was also inspired by her grandmother who hosted refugees after the war. But the word 'refugee' is something that is not favoured. "We're not calling them refugees; we're calling them guests," says Mrs Bevington. "You wouldn't want to be called a refugee, would you?"  

Five weeks ago, she travelled to Bristol with her son to pick up the family – *a husband and wife, aged 30, and their four-year-old daughter. "They were exhausted once we arrived back home," she says. "I'd made a soup as I saw on a Facebook group called Sunflower Sisters that soup is a popular dish in the Ukrainian culture."  

Stocking up on lemons for lemon tea was also a welcome tip. Mrs Bevington had purchased various essentials before the family's arrival date. "I went to Marks & Spencer about a month before they arrived and I bought underwear, pyjamas, and I bought some lovely clothes for the little girl. 

"We've even had a famous rugby player from one of the nearby villages donate a huge bag of frozen meat, with bags of rice and pasta." 

To get around the language barrier, communication is made via a translation app called 'SayHi'. "We use it all the time," says Mrs Bevington. "They speak a little English but the app has been a huge help for us." 

During the first week of arriving, Mrs Bevington drove them to various places nearby. She says: "I was driving them around the first week, up to Bridgend and around Cowbridge to show them where all the shops are. 

"We went down to Llantwit [Llantwit Major] to the beach and they were overwhelmed looking at the sea. My friends have bought them clothes – people have been so kind and we're so grateful for all the presents and money they've received."  

But making arrangements such as registering at a GP and opening a bank account has proved challenging. "The hassle of the paperwork has been unbelievable," says Mrs Bevington. "I was on the phone to the council [Vale of Glamorgan Council] to register them in Barry and you couldn't set up a bank account unless you had a UK SIM card." 

The SIM cards took one week to arrive. Mrs Bevington called banks to arrange for an account to be made but was told she would have to wait approximately three weeks to be seen.  

But the online bank, Monzo, was able to open an account for the family straight away. "All the other banks wanted proof of where they lived, but of course, they hadn't got anywhere to live because they just arrived," she said. 

After the first morning, Mrs Bevington called the British Red Cross to organise SIM cards. "I had to call the council to arrange for them [the family] to receive £200 which was supposed to be given to them on the day they arrived," she said. 

She then had to make arrangements for the family to start receiving Universal Credit. "All the forms online are in English, but of course, there are some Ukrainians who can't speak English. The government really hasn't worked everything out at all." 

Due to technical difficulties, Mrs Bevington claims it took approximately three hours to try and fill out the Universal Credit forms and her son had also attempted, with no luck.  

It was only when another contact through a WhatsApp group offered to help was when the forms were completed. "We then had to arrange for them to go to the Job Centre, which took a long time," says Mrs Bevington.  

"Then we took them to the council office to collect the £200 and that took another hour and a half. Biometrics [facial recognition and fingerprints] also had to be taken. 

"Appointments with the doctor, phone calls, a health check to have blood tests, we went over to the school three times to be shown around – this has taken up all of my time and I'm driving everywhere." 

Since arriving, the husband has been offered some gardening work in the surrounding areas such as Llanblethian as well as helping out at a local business. He was also been asked to join the football club in Llantwit Major and will be attending his first training session this Saturday (June 11).  

The daughter goes to a school in Colwinston and a group picks her up from Mrs Bevington's home in the mornings. "They [the family] have their own lounge, bedroom and bathroom," says Mrs Bevington. "The family are in the kitchen with me, and the little girl comes and sits with me in the lounge. We take turns with the cooking, too."  

The family will be staying with Mrs Bevington and her husband for the foreseeable. So, what would Mrs Bevington say to someone who is thinking about becoming a host but is hesitant to take on all the responsibility of hosting a Ukrainian family? "I wouldn't say to somebody now 'don't host because of the paperwork', but it is hard work," she says.  

"It's all computerised and, in my age group, older people can't always do it and need to get help from others. You've got to download, print things off, send them back – it's all so complicated, honestly, and I don't understand some of the terminology used! 

"But I'd say definitely go for it. It's a pleasure having them here. They're like family now and they've settled in so well."  

Mrs Bevington would like to thank all of her friends, the local community and new friends made through social groups for all the help she has received so far.  

*Cowbridge Nub News was not able to speak with the family at the time of this interview, but we hope to follow up with them soon.