How UKrefuge Works — Matching Hosts & Refugees in the UK
When the refugee crisis began making headlines, a lot of people had the same thought: I have a spare room. I want to help. But how?
UKrefuge exists to answer that question. We're a free, not-for-profit service that cuts out the middleman and lets hosts and refugees find each other directly. No agencies, no fees, no complicated referral process — just real people connecting with real people. We cover refugees from Ukraine and from other parts of the world, and we're open to anyone in the UK who has space to offer or needs somewhere to stay.
This page explains exactly how the process works, from registering to making contact. It takes most people less than ten minutes to get set up.
UKrefuge is here to directly connect volunteer Hosts and refugee Guests.
To reduce the risk of exploitation, we do not allow people to post photographs of themselves. We urge you to be safe and visit our Friendly Advice page.
Once you have found a match, if Ukrainian, you can both then head to the Government's Homes for Ukraine scheme where hosts and refugees can register, and will be vetted in due course.
I am a Refugee
Step 1 - Register as a Guest
If you are in need of a temporary home, please register as a Guest. You can sign up and add other people with you.
Step 2 - Search for a Host
You can then search our database of volunteer Hosts.
Step 3 - Get in touch
To get in touch, click the Contact button.
I have room to Host
Step 1 - Register as a Host
If you have spare room and are able to host, please register as a Host. We will then send you an email link which you will need to contact refugees Guests.
Step 2 - Search for refugees
To search for refugee Guests, go to Find Guests. To contact someone, simply click their name.
Step 3 - Exchange information
To get in touch, click the Contact button.
I have found a Guest
De-Register
Thank you so much! Amazing!
To de-register just click on Host Offer which is also found in "Account". Then Delete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UKrefuge free to use? Yes, completely. There is no charge for hosts or guests at any stage. UKrefuge is a not-for-profit service run by volunteers. If you'd like to support us, you can find out how on our Help us page.
Do I need to pass a background check before I can host? UKrefuge does not carry out DBS checks or vetting directly — we are a matching service, not a regulated placement agency. However, if you are hosting a Ukrainian refugee, both you and your guest can register with the UK Government's Homes for Ukraine scheme, which does include a vetting process and provides financial support to hosts. We strongly encourage all hosts to read our Friendly Advice page before arranging accommodation.
Can refugees from countries other than Ukraine use UKrefuge? Yes. While we launched primarily in response to the Ukraine crisis, UKrefuge is open to refugees from any country who are in the UK or travelling to the UK and in need of temporary accommodation.
How long does hosting typically last? That's entirely up to you and your guest. Some hosts offer a room for a few weeks while a refugee finds their feet; others open their home for several months. You set your own terms when you register, and you can update them at any time.
Is it safe to contact strangers through the site? We take safety seriously. To reduce the risk of exploitation, we don't allow users to post photographs of themselves. We strongly recommend reading our Friendly Advice page before making or accepting contact. When you do meet someone, treat it as you would any meeting with a stranger — meet in a public place first, tell someone where you're going, and trust your instincts.
What happens after a host and guest connect? Once you've made contact through UKrefuge and agreed on an arrangement, you take things forward between yourselves. If you are a Ukrainian refugee and your host is based in England, you may both want to register with the Homes for Ukraine scheme to access additional government support. Once a host has found a guest, they can de-register their listing from their Account page.
What if I find a match and then my circumstances change? Life happens. Hosts can remove or pause their listing at any time through their account — just go to Host Offer in your Account settings and delete your listing. If you need help with anything, get in touch with us.
