THE county is gearing up to offer refuge to those fleeing the conflict in Eastern Europe.

Figures suggest 100 households in Cumbria have so far registered with the Government's Homes for Ukraine scheme and offered accommodation to around 150 people.

The county council has a number of roles in the process, including conducting housing suitability checks on premises made available to Ukrainians and working with the voluntary and charitable sector to provide practical and financial support.

Deborah Earl, county council cabinet member for public health and communities, said: “With millions of people fleeing Ukraine, many Cumbrians have been moved to offer space in their own homes to those in need.

"It is no small step to invite strangers to live with you, and we and our partners will work with you to make this experience as positive as possible for everyone involved.

“The county has well-established arrangements for supporting refugees to resettle in the county so, while the way the Government has chosen to manage this is very different to normal, we know how to help and are scaling up our teams to respond.

“There is no doubt, however, that there are specific challenges with this scheme, not least the uncertainty of how many Ukrainians will eventually arrive and where they will be accommodated.

"Joint working with other agencies and with local groups is going to be so important in ensuring things work out well for guests and 'sponsors' alike.”

The council has no part in registering sponsors, matching them with guests or carrying out checks on people arriving in the county.

Organisations in Cumbria are working together to support the new arrivals. Coordination is being managed through the pre-existing, cross-agency Multi-Agency Refugee Resettlement Group, which is chaired by the county council.

The council is to receive £10,500 for each guest and is to use the money for the resettlement support activity it provides.

Andy Beeforth, chief executive of Cumbria Community Foundation, which is raising money to offer support to refugees, said: "Over £30,000 has been raised in a few short days since we highlighted the opportunity to donate to the welcome fund.

"The people of Cumbria have once again shown their generosity and kindness in a way that will help us be ready to welcome and support Ukrainian refugees as they come to the county."

Visit tinyurl.com/2p8npcc9 to donate. Visit gov.uk/register-interest-homes-ukraine to register for the Homes for Ukraine scheme.