Care home bombing 'doesn't bear thinking about' says care leader keen to help Ukraine's old and young

A care home leader is eager to help Ukraine’s care homes get basics like incontinence pads and dementia medicine, while calling for young Ukrainians to get UK care jobs and respite care for elderly refugees fleeing Russia’s invasion

As a care home for the disabled, with 330 people inside it, was reportedly bombed near the Kharkiv city in Ukraine by Russian troops, the National Care Association (NCA), which represents care homes, believes Ukraine’s elderly and disabled need care in the UK, just as its working age refugees need jobs.

'You can't give paracetamol to treat someone with dementia'

“It doesn’t bear thinking about what has been done to these people. Those who managed to survive the bomb blast", said Nadra Ahmed, the chairman of the NCA, in an exclusive interview with carehome.co.uk.

“They need routine and stability. They will also need mental health support. We would like to come to their aid to support them if they come to the UK.

“We are trying to find care organisations in Ukraine, Poland and other bordering countries. We are trying to find out what they will need. The residents will need incontinence pads, medicines. You can’t give paracetamol to treat someone with dementia.”

Refugees allowed to work

Referring to working age refugees and the workforce shortage in Britain's care sector, Ms Ahmed said: “The refugees should have the right to consider care as a career in the UK.”

The UK government has said that to date (14 March) 4,000 visas have been given to Ukrainians with family ties in the UK, fleeing the Russian invasion. Britain has been criticised for not allowing visa-free entry into the UK for Ukrainians, while EU countries have allowed Ukrainian refugees to enter without a visa for three years.

As Russian missiles hit Ukraine's cities, the UK government has announced a new sponsorship scheme for Ukrainians without any family ties to Britain. It allows sponsors, such as communities, private individuals or councils, to bring people fleeing Ukraine to the country.

Sponsored Ukrainians will be granted three years’ leave to remain in the UK, and will be able to work, claim benefits and access public services.

A consortium of 45 British firms, including Marks & Spencer, have already told the government they want refugees as workers.

'Not only a roof over their head'

As part of the government’s ‘Homes for Ukraine’, scheme, individuals in the UK are being encouraged to accommodate refugees and will receive £350 a month tax-free from the government as a 'thank you'. The public can nominate a Ukrainian individual or family to stay with them for at least six months.

Nadra Ahmed added: “As we welcome people who are coming to the UK, we want to give not only a roof over their head but potential work in local communities.

“Language may be a barrier for some, so they will need support to learn the language.”

Another care home association, the National Care Forum (NCF), has told carehome.co.uk that it is in the process of pulling together "a collaborative" around care employment to help Ukraine's refugees.

Vic Rayner, chief executive of the NCF said: “Care employers are hugely concerned about the situation in Ukraine, and we are working hard to bring together a collaborative of organisations who can help articulate what care employers can do together to support Ukrainian refugees who want employment – and to think around the wrap around community and housing support offer.

“I hope that this will enable employers across the country who are anxious to understand what they can do to offer support to have a central focus where ideas and approaches can be brought together.”