FAMILIES in Southend who have opened their homes to Ukrainian refugees have resorted to using foodbanks due to a lack of support.

Four families in the city have expressed their upset at the lack of financial help available to those hosting Ukrainians on a family visa.

People using family visas don't have access to the £350 on offer to those taking part in the Homes of Ukraine scheme.

Gregory Docherty, 61, has lived in Southend with his Ukrainian partner Tetyana, 61, since 2003 and following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, brought over his partner's daughter Levgenia, and her two boys aged six and four. 

Mr Docherty says he suffered a cardiac arrest just two weeks ago amid the stress of trying to find support and financial help.

He said: “I am having to do everything on my own, all that pressure and stress.

“It is all off your own back, there is no support at all, just because it is a family visa.

“Cages need to be rattle, something needs to be done, we are all having to rely on foodbanks just to get by as nobody else is help us.

“Even if it is a family visa, it is still more mouths to feed, more people to support and look after, it makes no sense.”

Julia Shvedchenko, 40, a Ukrainian woman living in Southend, had 12 family members flee Ukraine who were all brought over to the UK using the family visa scheme. 

Due to the high number of family members, she couldn’t host them all, so reached out on Facebook for help.

Two women, Michelle Philips and Leah Chitty, offered to host some of the family members in their homes.

Mrs Philips, 54, and her husband, who were retired, have taken up part-time jobs to try and support aUkrainian family.

She added: “There is nothing at all, no support, from local or central, the families are here but it is like it then doesn’t matter.

“It makes me feel angry, we have gone out and got two part time jobs to help us, to be able help them, we wouldn’t need to work evenings normally, but we have got evening jobs, because we need income to support the family as we get nothing.”

Ms Chitty, who is looking after a mum and two children, added: “We have provided everything and more that hosts were asked to do. 

"But just because it was a different visa, and different form, we received nothing, no help, nothing.”

In response a Government spokesperson said: “Ukrainians entering the UK through the Ukraine Family Scheme are entitled to three years’ leave to remain and have full access to work, study and benefits. – including Universal Credit.

“They can apply for Universal Credit from day one and no one has to wait five weeks for their first payment as early payments can be made. People in these schemes will also receive an additional £200 payment whilst their Universal Credit claim is processed.

“Local authorities have a duty to provide support to people on the family scheme, including homelessness where required.”

Southend Council added families can visit their website for the support that is available: https://www.southend.gov.uk/ukraine