Update for those supporting refugees from Ukraine – 14 July 2022
Dear hosts, volunteer coordinators and parish council colleagues
If this is the first time you are receiving this ‘Support for Ukraine community update’ from us as a host, please note that we send these out on a regular basis. They are issued whenever new and relevant information becomes available to hosts in South Cambridgeshire as well as to District Councillors, community coordinators and parish council colleagues. The idea is to share the latest updates that we have to support for the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
All information previously shared can be found on our Support for Ukraine webpage – where you will also find our ‘Ukrainian Guest information hub’ which we encourage you to share with your guests. The online information hub is our equivalent of a ‘Welcome pack’ for guests (we are sharing information digitally so that we are able to keep our information regularly updated, and guests should be able to switch to view in their own language if they wish).
Please note that in addition to these emails, all hosts will receive information from us relating to DBS checks, accommodation checks, £350 monthly host and £350 one-off guest payments; hosts should already have received information from us about this through our welcome email.
For any questions not covered in this e-newsletter or on our Support for Ukraine webpages, please email duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk
**Important** host survey – help us plan our support
The ongoing success of the Homes for Ukraine programme in the district relies on us planning for the future – while new guests are still arriving each week, we know that central Government has indicated a strong preference for guests to stay with their initial hosts for the full 12 months for which £350 per month thank you payments are available.
We need to understand the longer-term outlook for all our hosts and guests so we can plan the support needed. To help us to do that, we want to know a little more about host and guest plans where they are known. Hosts will shortly receive an email a with link to a survey to help us understand how many of them plan to provide Ukrainian refugees with a home beyond the initial six-month minimum hosting period. We appreciate you taking the time to speak to your guests and completing this survey, which should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
Grants for activities and education
Financial help is now being offered to Ukrainian families to help them to integrate into British community life thanks to a new grant scheme we have launched. Up to £300 per project is offered for a wide range of events to help reduce social isolation and encourage families to feel involved in their local community and life in Britain. A grant fund total of £20,000 is open for applicants until the end of the 2022/23 financial year funded by central government. Project ideas include buying books for English language classes, ingredients to fund a cookery day, venue hire or travel costs to take Ukrainian guests on a trip to Cambridge to see the sights. But, as we say, the most important aim is to help people to integrate.
Parish councils, community groups, informal groups or individual hosts can apply. Applications will be assessed weekly to ensure a quick turnaround. Criteria, guidance and an application form can be found on our website.
Free entry to Cambridge Botanic Gardens for Homes for Ukraine Guests
The Cambridge University Botanic Garden is generously providing free admission to the Botanic Garden for Ukrainian refugees living in South Cambridgeshire. Their goal is to welcome Ukrainian refugees to the Garden, give them access to a beautiful green space in Cambridge, and show them what the Garden has to offer as an educational and leisure centre in the city.
Free tickets are now available and being offered to those over the age of 16 (children aged 16 and under are already admitted free of charge). Host families will need to pay the standard garden admission fee if they visit with their guests.
Guests can now apply for their tickets by filling out the application form. The tickets will be offered one per person and will be distributed weekly via post.
There is useful information about visiting the garden on their website.
British Red Cross is supporting Ukrainian Refugees
Newly arrived Ukrainian guests can receive £50 in financial support from the British Red Cross as well as their choice of 2 free SIM cards.
The Red Cross scheme means an application must be made within the first 14 days after a guest’s arrival in the UK.
While a sponsor/host or other third party cannot apply for this support on a Ukrainian’s behalf, a main applicant can apply on behalf of their whole family group.
Guests will need to call the free British Red Cross Support line on 08081 963 651 and select option 3. This line is open daily 10am – 6pm, and interpreters are available when needed.
Guests will then be connected to a Red Cross support worker who will walk them through the application form over the phone and ask for their names, dates of birth, and date of arrival into the UK.
Within 10 days of submitting the application, they will send an email requesting a photo of the passport page or ID document, visa/date of entry stamps, and a selfie of the main applicant holding their passport. Once this is completed, the money and/or SIM will be issued to them via post.
An exciting opportunity for young people to get involved in the Arts this summer.
Wysing Arts Centre is giving young people the opportunity to take part in artistic projects and events, as well as to roam their fields, access their ceramics and recording studios, and collaborate with artists on a series of activities.
Their upcoming events welcome young Ukrainian refugees to participate, be creative, make friends, and have fun this summer.
The following activities and dates have been arranged:
Wild Summer School
26 October, 11am to 5pm
Available to 13-19 year-olds. Join the Wysing Summer School to collaborate with other artists, guided by artist Paul Kindersley. Throughout the week, you will have the opportunity to produce work that incorporates nature, sound, and performance. The summer school is free, and transportation is provided.
Youth Festival
26 October, 11am to 5pm
Young people are invited to Wysing’s first youth festival, which will take place in the Autumn of 2022. Throughout the day, there will be opportunities to collaborate with a variety of professional artists on projects involving sound, games, and more. Young individuals can book their own tickets, save the date and keep an eye on Wysing’s website for more information.
Please keep in mind that because the classes are held in English, some basic English knowledge would be required.
Thank you for reading our latest update and for your continued support of the Homes for Ukraine programme.
Bill
Bill Handley
Lead Cabinet Member for Communities
South Cambridgeshire District Council