'Frustration and relief' - the UK scheme for Ukrainian refugees 50 days on

euronews.com:

"Watching the sheer number of people coming out of Ukraine, we had to do something," said Lucy Wells. "I come from a Christian family, we were brought up to help others wherever you can." 

Lucy and her family soon offered themselves as sponsors under the UK government scheme and were matched with not one, but two, Ukrainian families. 

Two women from Kharkiv, each with two children, and a little dog called Gabbana. 

Fast forward 35 days and they were still waiting. 

The three bedrooms and living room they set aside in their large farmhouse in Dorset, England, lay empty. 

"We are fighting a catalogue of things," said Lucy, a 34-year-old actor. "We went into this with trust, but unfortunately as the days pass it is clear something is deeply wrong with the system." 

Launched 50 days ago on 14 March, the UK's 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme allows members of the public to voluntarily host those fleeing the war in Ukraine. Following government checks, they agree to accommodate refugees for a minimum of six months in exchange for a "thank you" payment of £350 (€333). 

Latest government figures revealed that 11,100 Ukrainians have arrived in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme out of 65,900 applications. 

Lucy Wells listed numerous issues with the scheme, describing it as "absolutely ridiculous." 

"Getting answers was impossible, there were so many delays, and the visa application form for several weeks was only in English, not Ukrainian or Russian" she said. 

Other UK sponsors noted the government helpline charges 69p a minute and that in the application forms Ukrainians, including children, are asked "stupid questions", such as if they have participated in a genocide or committed war crimes.

Last week Wells discovered -- only through