Back in 2015, I invited a Syrian refugee to stay with me. You offer not just a spare bed, but your time and support
Under a new scheme, British people will be encouraged to host those fleeing the war in Ukraine. A poll for the Observer suggested that almost one in three Britons might be willing to invite a refugee to live with them: 9% said they definitely would, while 20% said they might. If you are in that 20%, perhaps you have some questions about what it would be like to open your home to a stranger.
Let me help. In the autumn of 2015, I invited a Syrian refugee to stay with me in Old Trafford. I was single at the time and living alone in a terrace house; everyone else my age (34) seemed to be getting married and having babies while I resolutely failed to find love. I figured I may as well make my life as interesting as possible while my friends talked to each other about primary school places and house prices.
Helen Pidd is North of England editor of the Guardian
