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
Reminder: Jobs fair next Wednesday (27 July)
Jobcentre Plus in Cambridgeshire are holding a jobs fair for Ukrainian jobseekers. This will take place at the Cambridge Job Centre, Henry Giles House, 73 – 79 Chesterton Rd, Cambridge, CB4 3BQ on Wednesday 27 July 2022 from 10am to 1pm. There are so more than 30 employers confirmed as attending, including Asda, Aspire, Atlas Hotels, Cambridge Network, EACH, Hain Daniels, Hilton, Hotel Du Vin, Murray Edwards College, Office Angels, Select Recruitment, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Teka Services, Compass Group, Nat West Enterprise, Office Angels and St Catherine’s College. Hosts are welcome to attend with their guests. If you have any questions, please email Dawn.Bere@dwp.gov.uk
Bikeability courses: Places still available including this Friday (22 July)
As part of our initiative with two local charities (OWL Bikes and Camtrust) to offer free bicycles to guests from Ukraine, we are also offering free Bikeability training sessions that will be delivered by Outspoken Training. We still have spaces left on all upcoming Bikeability training sessions as detailed below:
- Friday 22 July 2022 (Tomorrow); 10.00am – 1.00pm – Tamsin and Sue – Children’s Bikeability Level 1 – Lammas Land (CB3 9EY)
- Friday 29 July 2022; 10.00am – 1.00pm – Rob and Sara – Children’s Bikeability Level 1 – Coleridge Recreation Ground (CB1 3PR)
- Friday 5 August 2022; 10.00am – 1.00pm – Rob and Sara – Adult return to cycling – Lammas Land (CB3 9EY)
- Friday 19 August 2022; 10.00am – 1.00pm – Tamsin and Hugh – Children’s Bikeability Level 2 – Lammas Land (CB3 9EY)
- Saturday 20 August 2022; 10.00am – 1.00pm – Tamsin and TBC – Adult residential riders – Coleridge Recreation Ground (CB1 3PR)
- Saturday 27 August 2022; 10.00am – 1.00pm – Rob and Hugh – Children’s Bikeability Level 2 – Coleridge Recreation Ground (CB1 3PR)
Children’s Bikeability Level 1 (Off-road fun: Level 1 challenges pupils to control and master their bikes through a variety of playground games. The training aims to boost confidence and excite participants to cycle more off-road. Minimum age: 7 years old).
Children’s Bikeability Level 2 (Residential rider: Level 2 takes place on local roads around school that Year 5 and 6 pupils are likely to cycle on. Children receive a realistic cycling experience equipping them with the skills to cycle short journeys e.g., to school. Riders are educated on effective observations, understanding road priorities, communicating with other road users and effective road positioning. Minimum age: 9 years old)
Please book your free session on the Outspoken website.
A Ukrainian translator will be attending each session. If you are still waiting for your bike but are able to borrow a suitable one to do the training – great. If these dates are not suitable, there will be further courses running in September and October at dates and times to be confirmed.
Resources to help support children and young people arriving from Ukraine
The Department for Education has recently published some additional guidance – primarily aimed at schools and colleges – but which could also be helpful to children and young people arriving from Ukraine, their parents or those looking after them.
Possible future drama classes for Ukrainian guests
Sheila Gosling, a local drama worker with several years of experience, is looking into the possibility of starting a drama class for people from Ukraine. These are likely to be starting from September; the location is yet to be confirmed but is likely to be in Cottenham or one of the nearby villages. The drama session would include getting together in a circle for introductions, a brief physical warm-up (such as a stretch or walking), followed by various simple games, facial expressions, and building up on various themes to talk about an act. Simple props could be provided to assist with drama / improv scenes. The idea behind the drama class would be to encourage people to interact, share and have fun. If you or your guests are interested in finding out more, please contact Sheila via sheeba3434@hotmail.com
Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain
The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) is the UK’s largest representative organisation for Ukrainians and people of Ukrainian origin. It exists to develop, promote, and support the Ukrainian community in the United Kingdom.
The AUGB has active branches throughout England and Wales and are mostly operated by volunteer teams from local communities. Their Branches host a variety of cultural, educational, social, and charity events, as well as supporting local youth and women’s organisations, cultural groups and other organisations. Many collaborate with local authorities and organisations to provide facilities for displaced Ukrainians to reconnect with their roots and receive the assistance they require.
Locally, they support Ukrainian Community Schools, Day Centres, and a variety of cultural and social events around the United Kingdom.
Find more information on their website.
Sewing machine needed
The Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign is in need of a second-hand sewing machine to give to a refugee from Afghanistan. The man had to leave his sewing machine behind in Kabul, but dreams of making men’s clothes again. Do you have a sewing machine that you no longer need? If so, please email info@cambridgerefugees.org
Thank you for taking the time to read this latest update. We hope that it is useful for you and your guests. Thanks for your continued support.
Bill
Bill Handley
Lead Cabinet Member for Communities
South Cambridgeshire District Council