CAPTION: Jamie Benthall and Rev'd Vanessa Pestridge from Exminister Refugee Support with some of the newly arrived Ukrainian guests
Church a Catalyst for Ukraine Refugee Support in Exminster
A church in Exminister has worked closely with its local community to co-ordinate accommodation and support for 15 Ukrainian refugees with more expected to arrive in the village soon.
Connect Church is led by Rev’d Vanessa Pestridge, who said “It’s been a wonderful thing to say to people that this is at the heart of being a Christian, that of course the church wants to respond in this way.
“I feel this is my role as a priest to be living out the gospel in such a practical way. This is serving with joy.”
Vanessa said Exminister Refugee Support started with her putting a post on local social media suggesting a co-ordinated community response to offer accommodation and all the essential wrap around support to Ukrainian families and individuals. This was followed by a community meeting and grew from there.
She said “It’s been beautiful to see the whole community coming together.”
“Everyone has been so welcoming and the school, which has offered places to eight Ukrainian pupils, has been brilliant.
“We’ve also been able to purchase Amazon Fire tablets with a translation app for the children.”
She said that 13 households had signed-up to offer accommodation. 7 of them have already welcomed Ukrainian guests into their homes. Other people in Exminster have offered skills like free haircuts, driving lessons and free community clubs. Connect is also co-ordinating an English language support programme for Ukrainians who need lessons.
“It won’t work if we don’t work together, one host cannot be everything a Ukrainian family needs. This is a partnership,” she added
Vanessa said that part of the vision for Connect, which is an informal Anglican church, was to be “a catalyst.”
She said “Some things (like community support for Ukraine) just need a bit of energy in the beginning to get them started.
“Because of Connect’s involvement with the refugee support we have been able to step-up and manage financial donations and arrange for our English language volunteers’ safeguarding checks through the Diocese of Exeter safeguarding team.”
Vanessa said she had also sat with host families to fill in the UK visa applications needed, because it meant it speeded-up the process.
“This has been a mutual opportunity to turn an horrific situation into something beautiful.”
In a separate scheme, the Diocese of Exeter is working with the charity Citizens UK to match Ukrainian refugees with host families across Devon.
