Support for Ukraine

Wiltshire stands with Ukraine

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Message from Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council

Portrait of Cllr Richard Clewer

 

This is a difficult anniversary to mark as we know the last 12 months have been the hardest for Ukraine families who have left their homes and had to make new lives elsewhere. Last year we welcomed Ukraine guests knowing our residents would step up and provide the welcome they deserve. Wiltshire responded to the situation in Ukraine and so many welcomed the guests into their homes and helped them to settle into the county. Our teams, communities and partners have worked hard to try and ensure that this has been an easier transition with the right level of support for those who have needed our help.

"We are now at a point where some families are moving out of sponsor homes into their own homes and into employment and laying foundations in Wiltshire with the continued support of our teams.

"The Homes for Ukraine scheme relies on the generosity and goodwill of Wiltshire residents, and while some guests are moving on to their own homes, we are still in need of more sponsors. Becoming a host is a big commitment for those involved but makes a massive difference to the Ukrainian people coming into Wiltshire. Anyone who thinks that this is something they might be able to offer, I would encourage people to sign up as potential hosts at Homes for Ukraine: record your interest - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Welcome pack for Ukrainian refugees

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We have put together some local information for Ukrainian refugees coming to Wiltshire. The pack has information on health and schools but also libraries and leisure and community information.

English

Welcome pack for Ukrainian refugees (English) (OpenDocument text format) [4MB] (opens new window)

Welcome pack for Ukrainian families living in Wiltshire (English)

Ukrainian

Welcome pack for Ukrainian refugees (Ukrainian) (OpenDocument text format) [4MB] (opens new window)

Пакет інформації для українських сімей які проживають у Вілтшира (Ukrainian)

Ukraine webinar 16 May 2022

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We held a live online public webinar to provide an update on Ukrainian nationals coming to settle in Wiltshire. A recording and transcript of the webinar is available below, as well as the questions that were raised during the session.

View the webinar - Monday 16 May 2022

Questions from webinar

Ukraine webinar 28 September 2022

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Google Chrome will automatically translate web pages into your home language, alternatively use Google Translate. Google Chrome автоматично перекладатиме веб-сторінки вашою рідною мовою, або використовуйте Google Translate.

We held a live online public webinar to provide an update on Ukrainian nationals coming to settle in Wiltshire. A recording  of the webinar is available below, as well as the questions that were raised during the session.

View the webinar - Wednesday 28 September 2022

Questions from webinar

Frequently asked questions general

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Frequently asked questions for sponsors

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What to do in an emergency

Other FAQs

Homes for Ukraine Scheme

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The government has laid out plans for welcoming refugees in its Homes for Ukraine scheme.

The government scheme will offer a route to those who want to come to the UK who have someone willing to provide them with a home. Individuals, charities, community groups and businesses can volunteer accommodation. Sponsors can provide accommodation for as long as they are able but there is a minimum expectation of six months. Those arriving will  need to meet standard security checks. Sponsors and all adults in the sponsoring households will also be subject to security checks and may be subject to safeguarding checks too.

People interested can record their interest at GOV.UK: Register interest Homes for Ukraine to receive updates and more information on how to apply. Sponsors can be of any nationality, with any immigration status, provided they have at least six months' leave to remain within the UK. In the first phase of the scheme sponsors will need to have a named person whom they wish to sponsor. This could be a friend, someone they are already connected with or it could be someone they have been linked with by a charity, faith group or other organisation. Sponsors need to provide accommodation for a minimum of six months. The government will provide an optional payment of £350 per month for up to 12 months for those offering accommodation.

Housing options

Ukraine guests who have come to Wiltshire through the Homes for Ukraine scheme are staying with sponsors in their home for a minimum of six months.

Some sponsors may be happy to continue providing a home after six months while others may ask guests to find another place to live. We ask sponsors to try to give their guests at least two months' notice if they can no longer provide a home at the end of the six months.

Once the six months are complete the sponsor can continue providing a home or consider other options for the guest. Please see below the different situations and the steps to be taken to address each one.

Wiltshire Council is using government funding to help secure homes for Ukraine nationals where host families can no longer provide a home for them and all other options have been explored. View the press release

Sponsors

I will continue providing a home for my Ukraine guest

Nothing needs to be done as the current arrangement can continue and the host will continue to receive the £350 thank you payment up to 12 months.

I no longer want my Ukraine guest to stay in my house after six months but I know of another sponsor who can provide a home through a rematch

Please advise the Homes for Ukraine team on H4U@wiltshire.gov.uk.

The team can check the new sponsor is already registered and all checks have been completed. If it is a new sponsor, the team will have to complete checks prior to placement.

I want help to find a new home for my Ukraine guest for the next six months or for the remainder of their one-year sponsorship

The Homes for Ukraine team will call on those who have expressed an interest on the Government's system to see if they can find a sponsor who can provide a home

If there is an immediate need for temporary accommodation Wiltshire Housing Solutions team to source TA whilst rematch possibilities are investigated.

My guest would like to move to private rented accommodation

The guest may decide they prefer to find their own home in the private rented sector. The sponsor should advise H4U@wiltshire.gov.uk of this change and the new address. If required there may be assistance with deposits or rental guarantees which can be provided.

The guest makes an online housing application for social housing

Guests can call 0300 456 0106 between 9am and 5pm.

My home placement has broken down and I need to find a new home for my guest urgently

If a guest finds themselves needing support urgently as their home placement has broken down they should email homeless@wiltshire.gov.uk.

I am giving two months' notice to find a new home for my guest after the six month placement has ended

The sponsor should email H4U@wiltshire.gov.uk so the team can help the guest consider the options for the future as well as providing a copy of your two months' notice to dutytorefer@wiltshire.gov.uk. This is not for emergencies but to invoke our statutory homelessness duties.

My guest would like to apply for social housing

 People should call 0300 456 0104 during office hours. New prospective housing applicants can call and speak to a housing officer on 0300 456 0106 between 9am and 5pm.  Where people are homeless, for out of hours the emergency number is 0300 456 0100.

Ukraine guests

My sponsor will continue to provide a home for me

Nothing needs to be done as the current arrangement can continue and your host will continue to receive the £350 thank you payment up to 12 months.

My sponsor doesn't want me to stay in their house after six months however there is another sponsor who can provide a home through a rematch

Please ask your sponsor to contact the Homes for Ukraine team on H4U@wiltshire.gov.uk.

The team can check the new sponsor is already registered and all checks have been completed. If it is a new sponsor, the team will have to complete checks prior to placement.

I need help to find a new home for the next six months or for the remainder of my one-year sponsorship

Your sponsor needs to contact H4U@wiltshire.gov.uk to explain this.  The Homes for Ukraine team will call on those who have expressed an interest on the Government's system to see if they can find a sponsor who can provide a home for you.

If there is an immediate need for temporary accommodation Wiltshire Housing Solutions team to source temporary accommodation whilst rematch possibilities are investigated.

I would like to move to private rented accommodation. Will I receive some support?

If you decide you prefer to find a home in the private rented sector, please ask your sponsor to advise H4U@wiltshire.gov.uk of this change and the new address. If required there may be assistance with deposits or rental guarantees which can be provided.

The guest makes an online housing application for social housing

Guests can call 0300 456 0106 between 9am and 5pm.

My home placement has broken down and I need to find a new home urgently

If your home placement has broken down please let the H4U team know at H4U@wiltshire.gov.uk and they will work with you to consider your options. Our first option will also be to attempt to rematch families.

My sponsor has given two months' notice to find a new home after the six month placement has ended

The sponsor should email H4U@wiltshire.gov.uk so the team can help the guest consider the options for the future.

I would like to apply for social housing

You can call 0300 456 0104 during office hours. New prospective housing applicants can call and speak to a housing officer on 0300 456 0106 between 9am and 5pm hours.  Where people are homeless, for out of hours the emergency number is 0300 456 0100.

Key information links

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Latest press release from Wiltshire Council:

Plans are in place as Wiltshire prepares to welcome Ukrainian refugees (www.wiltshire.gov.uk)

Ukraine Sponsor newsletters:

Key links for information on support for Ukraine:

Ukraine: sight loss support

A number of sight loss charities including Royal National Institute of Blind People and Guide Dogs have come together to offer free advice, support and assistance (including free equipment such as canes and other mobility items) to Ukrainian refugees in the UK. Support can be accessed by calling the sight loss advice helpline on 0303 123 9999 8am-8pm on weekdays and 9am-1pm on Saturdays. An interpretation service is also available for anyone who needs it.

Community support

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The Wiltshire Together website has details on community support and help at Supporting Wiltshire's Refugees - Wiltshire Together

There are also a number of community hubs and support groups which are being set up across Wiltshire. More details are below.

Community hubs and support groups:

Bradford on Avon - boacommunityhub@gmail.com - 3.30pm to 5pm Monday at The Hub @ BA15 Church Street, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1LS

Bybrook Chippenham Bybrookhomesforukraine@gmail.com

Chippenham - https://www.chippenhamhub.com / chippenhamcommunityecohub@gmail.com -10am to 3pm Monday to Saturday

Calne - Ukraine support group -  SN11 - Calne welcomes Ukrainians - Facebook

Chalke Valley Support GroupUkraine@mpal.co.uk 

Corsham russ.tunney@poundarts.org.uk - 11am-1pm Pound Arts Centre Corsham - available from Friday 19 August. Refreshments available, aimed at Ukrainian refugees and hosts in the area to meet together informally and form a support network, exchange local information and identify what the community can do to support them.

Devizes - ukraine@stjamescdevizes.org - St James Centre, Devizes, SN10 1LR

Devizes - Support hub www.loveukrainedevizes.org

Downton beth@executiveenglish.eu

Durrington durringtoncommunitychurch@outlook.com - 11am to 1pm Monday at Durrington Community Church

Hindon Ukraine Friendship Groupjoannastill51@gmail.com

Marlborough - Ukraine support group - Ukrainians and their sponsors in the Marlborough and surrounding area - Facebook / https://ukrainiansandtheirsponsorsinmarlboroughandsurrounding.wordpress.com/

Melksham/Corsham/Lacock/Chippenham - thatmeetingspace@gmail.comLocal support group details on Facebook 10.30am to 12pm Saturdays, Market Place

Salisbury - ukraine@salisburymethodist.org.uk - 10am to 12pm Friday at Salisbury Methodist Church, St Edmunds Church Street, SP1 1EF
 
Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade - Ukraine support group - H4U RWB - Facebook / tom@patternchurch.org  - 5pm to 7pm Tuesday at Pattern Church, Swindon / 3.30pm - 5pm at Church Croft, 1 Church Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7BQ

Shaftesbury - Shaftesbury Refugee Group - This charity is in neighbouring Dorset however is available for nearby families and Ukrainians offering support.

Trowbridge - Trowbridge Churches - Alistair Wood vicar@stjohns-studley.org

Culture Welcomes Refugees 

Pound Arts in Corsham has introduced an initiative to open the doors of cultural organisations across the county to welcome refugees and provide free tickets. A host of organisations have agreed to take part - meaning free tickets to music, theatre, museums etc. The initiative is spreading beyond Wiltshire. To book just get in touch with your local organisation and ask for tickets. Our communities are keen to welcome all.  More details on Pound Arts shows are available here Homepage - Pound Arts. Look out for other organisations showing the Culture Welcomes Refugees logo to find other venues joining in this initiative.

National charities collecting for Ukraine

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The Ukraine Disaster Emergency Committee Crisis Appeal

The Ukraine Disaster Emergency Committee Appeal is providing urgent humanitarian aid including food, water, shelter, healthcare and protection.

Donating to the Disaster Emergency Committee Appeal ensures the people of Ukraine get the support they need and that donations go to those directly affected by the conflict.

Disaster emergency committee charities are in Ukraine and neighbouring countries working hard to meet the needs of all refugees and displaced people. All donations will be gratefully received and below are some examples of how charities say the money could be spent:

  • £30 could provide essential hygiene supplies for three people for one month
  • £50 could provide blankets for four families
  • £100 could provide emergency food for two families for one month

Global Giving

GlobalGiving is a nonprofit organisation that supports other nonprofits by connecting them to donors and companies. There are 39 organisations listed on their website that are supporting Ukraine.

Search GlobalGiving

IFAW International Fund for Animal Welfare

IFAW working with their partners in Ukraine and neighboring areas to care for animals in shelters, zoos and sanctuaries and helping refugees in Poland who are coming across the border from Ukraine with their pets by delivering pet food and veterinary supplies.

IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) - Ukraine donations

The British Red Cross

The British Red Cross has launched an emergency fundraising appeal in response to the intensification of fighting in Ukraine.

As the security situation allows, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will continue to respond to existing and emerging humanitarian needs. The Red Cross has supported people affected by this conflict for years and this will not stop now.

Your donation could help someone affected get:

  • food
  • water
  • first aid
  • medicines
  • warm clothes
  • shelter

Ukraine Crisis Appeal British Red Cross

UN Refugee Agency

The UN Refugee Agency is working with local authorities and other partners in Ukraine to provide humanitarian assistance.

donate.unrefugees.org.uk

UNICEF

UNICEF is especially concerned for the safety and wellbeing of children who have become separated from their families.  

Ukraine crisis: donate now - Unicef UK

Safeguarding awareness

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Ukrainian nationals coming to the UK are entitled to feel safe and be welcomed into communities. Below is information  on how to stay safe and who to contact if you have concerns.