Newark MP Robert Jenrick and wife Michal among first locally to accept Ukrainian refugees into their Southwell home

Newark MP Robert Jenrick and his family have become one of the first to welcome refugees from Ukraine into their home locally.

Mr Jenrick and wife Michal collected the mum and her children, aged 15 and 11, from Stanstead Airport in the early hours of Tuesday and drove them to their Southwell constituency home.

Mr Jenrick is also one of the first MPs to accept refugees into their own homes.

He matched with the family from Kiyv through a friend and they spoke on Zoom beforehand to ensure they were a good match.

“I found the terrible events in Ukraine horrifying and very moving and my wife and I came to the conclusion that we could and should do something tangible to help the people there,” said Mr Jenrick.

“As Communities Secretary, I was involved in a number of resettlement schemes for Syrians and Afghans and I felt that I should and wanted to take part.

“Michal is the granddaughter of refugees and Holocaust survivors. Her grandfather escaped from Ukraine just before world war two and and her mother from what is now Belarus during the Holocaust.

“The parallels between that time and and this are sadly there for all to see.

“We discussed it with our children who were keen to help, and particularly take in a family.”

Mr Jenrick said it was a decision that should not be taken lightly with careful consideration needed to be given to if the host could provide the support needed, along with having the space in their homes, such as help with integrating into a community, and accessing schooling and healthcare.

However, he said he was impressed by the number of people, particularly in the Southwell area, who had come forward to offer space through a process that he admitted he had found frustrating.

He knew of no one else in the constituency who had had their matched refugees arrived, but was helping people make it happen.

Mr Jenrick said it had been a lengthy and frustrating process that had taken three weeks from the point where the forms had been filled out online to where the visas were approved, all separately. He said the process had been overly slow with no clear guidance from the Home Office.

He said:“For us as a family I think it will help us remember how fortunate we are and how lucky to live in this country.

“The family we have welcomed seem lovely. They have had to leave the father behind, but have spoken to him to say that they have arrived safe and sound.

“They seem shell-shocked and nervous. It was a long journey and they have been through a lot, just like so many in their country.

“They are pleased to be in a place of safety and we have given them a guided tour of Southwell.”