Opora

Image placeholder

Helping Ukrainians sustainably rebuild their lives in the UK

Emergency assistance and long-term support for Ukrainians in the UK

Opora supports Ukrainians fleeing the war in rebuilding their lives sustainably in the United Kingdom through:
● Information channels and active community support groups with tens of thousands active Ukrainian arrivals in the UK● Support for Ukrainian refugee-led businesses through business advice, webinars and business grants scheme ● Guides to life in the UK to assist Ukrainians with post-arrival steps, access to medicine, mental health support, education, rent and more ● Online platform for Ukrainians to match with sponsors across the UK, as a more structured and safer alternative to social media● Leveraging our platform and ever-growing network of partners to offer direct assistance to Ukrainians from funded travel, baby supplies, mental health support and employment offers from national businesses across multiple industries
Through our extensive online community, we proactively analyse the lived experience of our Ukrainian beneficiaries to pre-empt arising needs.

The Guardian

Ukrainian refugees struggling to find accommodation after leaving UK sponsors

Opora worked with Generation Rent on a survey highlighting access and quality of housing issues experienced by Ukrainian refugees

Time Magazine

Britain’s Effort to House Ukrainian Refugees Isn’t Going as Planned

Opora contributing to a general overview of the Homes for Ukraine scheme in light of an increasing number of Ukrainian refugees being accepted as homeless by Local Authorities

The Observer

Concern for health of Ukrainians aboard Scotland’s ‘floating refugee camps’

Opora commenting on the lack of suitable long-term move on accommodation for Ukrainian refugees

Financial Times

What happens next to Britain’s Ukrainian refugees?

Opora spotlighting the goodwill and cooperation that allowed us to address the gaps in implementation in the early days of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme

The Telegraph

134,200 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in the UK – now what?

Opora commenting on the shortage of suitable housing options available to Ukrainian refugees

The Independent

Number of Ukrainian families facing homelessness in England increases by 22% in a month

Opora commenting on the under-reporting of homelessness figures tied to the Homes for Ukraine scheme

Sky News

What has happened to the refugees taken in under the UK's Homes for Ukraine scheme?

Opora highlighting the high barriers for entry to the private rental sector for Ukrainians moving on from their sponsorship arrangements

The Observer

50,000 Ukrainian refugees in UK facing homelessness ‘disaster’ next year

Opora continues to draw attention to the gaps in the policy design and support network to allow for sustainable rebuilding of lives for Ukrainian refugees

Opora press release

Opora supports Ukrainian refugee entrepreneurs in the UK

Read more about the Opora programme and the first tranche of business grants

The Guardian

‘Desperate’ need for Homes for Ukraine hosts as war reaches six-month point

Opora partnering with the Sanctuary Foundation to appeal for more hosts

The Guardian

Ukrainians face a homeless future in the UK thanks to red tape on renting

Opora worked with the Guardian to highlight the challenges experienced by Ukrainians in our community in accessing rental accommodation and advocate for action

The Financial Times

Q&A: A guide for Ukrainian refugees and their UK hosts

Opora highlighted in the FT guide for Ukrainian refugees and their hosts

The Telegraph

‘I've spent thousands hosting Ukrainian refugees – the Government's payments aren't enough’

Opora commenting on the Homes for Ukraine scheme ‘thank you’ payments to sponsors

The Observer

Stranded and desperate, Ukrainian refugees wait for the Home Office reply. But it never comes

Opora sharing the lived experience of Ukrainians stranded in wait for family visas in countries outside Ukraine

The Guardian

Gove bids to end Ukrainian refugee chaos with £350 ‘cash for rooms’ offer

Opora commenting on the early developments in the Homes for Ukraine scheme

The Washington Post

Britain’s pick-a-refugee program had one Brit flying to Poland with Cadbury bars

Early coverage of the Opora platform when Homes for Ukraine scheme launched

Metro

Designer who made corsets for Little Mix fled Ukraine for 3,500-mile drive to UK

Opora beneficiaries’ stories and lived experience across the UK

Metro

British rally driver makes 2,000-mile trip to pick up Ukrainian family as she waits for visas

Opora beneficiaries’ stories and lived experience across the UK

Metro

Motor-mad Ukrainian teen gets first taste of supercars after move to UK

Opora beneficiaries’ stories and lived experience across the UK

Wales Online

The 21-year-old Ukrainian living a new life in Wales

Opora beneficiaries’ stories and lived experience across the UK

Nottingham Post

Gedling family's challenging journey as they prepare to take in Ukrainian refugees

Opora beneficiaries’ stories and lived experience across the UK

The Northern Scot

Moray business owners welcome Ukrainian refugees into Kinloss home

Opora beneficiaries’ stories and lived experience across the UK