Kilkenny families encouraged to open their doors to Ukrainian people

Helping Irish Hosts, an organisation set up to facilitate and support Irish people to host displaced Ukrainians in their homes is coming to Kilkenny later this month. 

The informational roadshow hosted by Kathy Sheridan, an award winning journalist with the Irish-Times, will take place at the Fr McGrath Centre, St Joseph's Road on Wednesday, September 13 at 7pm.

The event, hosted in partnership with Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, will celebrate the local community response, thank existing hosts, recruit new members and help make sure everyone feels confident about opening their homes to a Ukrainian family. 

Nationally, more than 85,000 displaced Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland to date with approximately 15,816 Ukrainian people being hosted by over 7,000 Irish homeowners.

However, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, a high demand for Ukrainian accommodation remains.

Helping Irish Hosts Co-Founder and CEO, Angie Gough said: "Hosting is not a long term solution to the crisis we are in, but hosts and host communities are beating a path to something better, for all displaced people, and learning loads about ourselves and each other along the way. It's hard. It’s true solidarity. It's human kindness in action."