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Help and support for Ukraine

Homes for Ukraine – Sponsor and Guest Support

The Refugee Integration Service Team at North East Lincolnshire Council are here to support local registered sponsors and Ukrainian guests who arrive in the area. If you have any questions or enquiries regarding the Homes for Ukraine scheme, please send us an email at homesforukraine@nelincs.gov.uk and one of the team will get back to you.

Homes for Ukraine: Welcome Pack

We have created a welcome pack for Ukrainian guests arriving under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The pack details their next steps and is filled with relevant information about the local area and the support available. Download a copy of the Ukraine Scheme Welcome Pack – English (PDF, 5MB) . A translated version is also available Ukraine Scheme Welcome Pack – Ukranian (PDF, 4MB) .

How North East Lincolnshire residents can help and support Ukraine

Local community groups, organisations and individuals are working to support Ukrainians fleeing the war.

This page contains information about the contribution residents can make, as well as useful links to information about the conflict, and how North East Lincolnshire is helping the humanitarian effort.

Helpline

If you are an immediate family member of a British national normally living in Ukraine with your British national family member, you should call the dedicated Home Office line 0300 3032785 – select option 1. This option is now available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. This is a free phone number, but network charges may still apply.

If you are a Ukrainian national in the UK and need assistance, please contact UKVI: Telephone: 0300 3032785 – select option 2.  Lines are open Monday to Thursday (excluding bank holidays), 9am to 4:45pm and Friday (excluding bank holidays), 9am to 4:30pm. This is a free phone number, but network charges may still apply. Support is also available for those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine from Barnardo’s Ukrainian Support Helpline.

Help to find a family member

If you have lost contact with your family in Ukraine during the conflict and you know they have crossed the border, please keep trying to contact them. It may be a temporary loss of contact as they transition to networks in other countries.

If you are unable to contact your family and you think they are still within the territory of Ukraine, the red cross may be able to help you. Please email your full name and telephone number to findyour_family@redcross.org.uk and a team member from the International Family Tracing service will contact you as soon as possible.

Funding and donations of money

Independent financial donations help organisations to be able to respond quickly and effectively to unpredictable emergency situations, and to meet individual needs, especially as the funding that organisations do have is stretched and often not flexible.

If you can donate money, please donate to organisations or community groups that demonstrate an understanding of community needs, safe and legal working practices, and systems of accountability. For more information on safe giving please go to GOV.UK – Regulators urge safe giving to support Ukraine.

Organisations include:

By giving to a registered, regulated charity, like the Disasters Emergency Committee, the public can have assurance that their funds will be accounted for in line with the charity law framework. Established charities with experience of responding to disasters are usually best placed to reach victims on the ground.

Central Government: Updated Guidance and Week One Guidance

The Government has produced Homes for Ukraine Guidance for Guest Information for Ukrainians arriving in the UK, which includes a shorter and more accessible guide to services Ukrainians may need in their first week in the UK.

Please also see these guides for Ukrainians in the UK:

Private landlords with available properties

Private landlords have already contacted the council about homes in North East Lincolnshire they could make available to those seeking sanctuary in Britain. The Council is keeping all these details and is looking at ways in which it can accelerate the necessary processes to ensure such accommodation is ready as soon as needed.

To register your interest, complete the Ukrainian refugee landlord details form.

‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme

UK individuals, charities, community groups and businesses can record their interest in supporting Ukrainians fleeing the war through the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme.

The scheme is open for applications. To find out more or register go to Homes for Ukraine (campaign.gov.uk).

For questions and answers on how the Homes for Ukraine scheme will work go to GOV.UK – Homes for Ukraine scheme frequently asked questions.

Immigration information can be download on GOV.UK – Immigration information for Ukranians in the UK, British nationals and their family members.

For the latest regional policy developments go to Migration Yorkshire.

A guide for keeping safe while living in the UK

Ukrainians Welcome is a helpful resource for Ukrainians on How to Stay Safe in the UK.

Donating smartphones and IT equipment

Solidaritech is a community interest company reliant on donations from both individuals and companies of all sizes. They are asking for donations of tech including smartphones, tablets, and laptops, that they can wipe and pass on to asylum seekers and refugees to support health, safety and connection.

Visit the Solidaritech website.

Community sponsors

If you are interested in working with members of your community as ‘community sponsors’, to support a person to come to the UK through a local charity or faith group, please visit GOV.UK – Apply for community sponsorship.

Direct people to correct advice and information

People’s situations are very complicated. Be aware that in order for refugees to achieve secure futures for themselves or their family, they should only accept advice from an adviser accredited by the OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner). If you see people asking for help online then please direct them to the OISC website.

The British Red Cross website offers information and support for Ukrainian nationals in the UK – including information on the International family Tracing Service (for those trying to contact family who they think are still in Ukraine) as well as a range of wellbeing resources to help support those who have experienced trauma. Go to Red Cross – Help for refugees from Ukraine for further information.

Keep informed

There is a lot you can do to prepare yourself to safely support newcomers and existing communities in the region. For example, you could find out about how to talk about this situation in a helpful way on social media, learn a few words in different languages, or learn about the culture and history of different people.

Here are a selection of useful links:

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