We have created this web page to share information about issues relating to the situation in Ukraine.
The Council condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
Advice for Ukrainians arriving in the UK
British government advice
A guide to Ukrainians arriving in the UK
British Red Cross advice
Refugee schemes
Charnwood Borough Council is committed to supporting refugees from Ukraine.
There are two Government refugee schemes. More details are below.
Ukraine Family Scheme
The Ukraine Family Scheme allows family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK. It is free to apply.
People will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds.
More information about the Ukraine Family Scheme
Homes for Ukraine
The Homes for Ukraine scheme invites people to apply to sponsor a named Ukrainian and their immediate family to come over to the UK. You must be able to provide accommodation for at least six months.
If you want to offer a home to people fleeing Ukraine, you can register your interest in becoming a sponsor. You can do this as an individual or as an organisation.
Find out more about Homes for Ukraine and to register your interest
Homes for Ukraine FAQs (Gov.uk)
Reset - a matching and training service for sponsors and refugees
Reset have launched a matching and training service to pair sponsors and refugees under the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme. It has mobilised experts in safeguarding to assess sponsors and refugees to make sure that the matching is suitable.
Reset will also provide a training service, drawing on the expertise of Refugees at Home, for sponsors, local authorities, and community groups.
Information about schools
School places for Ukrainian refugees are available. If your children are of Primary School age (4 - 10 years old), or of Secondary School age (11 - 16 years old), the best way to apply for a school place is through the online school application process at the Leicestershire County Council website.
If you would like speak to the County Council about school places please call 0116 305 6684.
Apply for a school place online
Family support and safety
The following links might be useful for residents:
- Leicestershire County Council’s children and family wellbeing service web page
- Living Without Abuse provide community-based support to men, women and children affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence in Charnwood and Leicestershire.
- Women’s Aid Leicestershire Limited provide support to women and children fleeing domestic abuse and provide vital assistance to all victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
- FreeVa works towards reducing domestic violence, rape and sexual assault in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
- Turning Point works with anyone who is affected by drugs or alcohol and wants support to make change.
SIM cards for Ukrainian citizens
Refugease have teamed up with Vodafone to to offer free SIM cards to Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK.
A few points to note:
- The SIM cards are pre-loaded and each come with 20GB data each month plus unlimited calls and texts for a period of six months.
- Any Ukrainian citizen arriving in the UK via the government’s resettlement scheme is eligible.
- Hosts can apply on behalf of their new tenants, or the user can apply themselves.
- Please ensure that you have a confirmed arrival date before applying. Applications will not be processed from those whose visa application is not yet complete.
- Please complete the form in the link above to apply. Applications will be processed and SIM cards sent within seven days.
Full details, including the application process, can be found on the Refugease website.
Fundraising
The Polish Club in Loughborough is collecting items to send to help Ukrainian refugees in Poland. More information is on their Facebook page.
The Council is supporting these efforts and working with local organisers.
There are national fundraising campaigns:
- Ukraine Crisis Appeal | British Red Cross
- Ukraine Appeal | Donate | Save the Children UK
- WithUkraine
- Donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal - The UK Government will match public donations to this appeal pound-for-pound starting with £20 million.
- Find a registered charity - Search for a registered charity via the UK Government website.
The Government has issued a news story entitled 'What you can do to help' that contains a number of ways you can help support the people of Ukraine. You can read it on the Gov.uk website.
UK businesses and charities sending goods
UK businesses can contact the Export Support Service for questions relating to the situation in Ukraine and Russia.
The government advises against businesses sending charitable goods to Ukraine. Exports may be subject to customs declarations, checks, and duty and border taxes. Your donation could be delayed getting to people in need. Donate to a registered charity or trusted scheme instead.
The Charity Commission has published guidance for charities fundraising for Ukraine.
The government has published guidance for charities and trustees on the most commonly asked questions.
Cyber security
Take steps against the heightened cyber threat. Learn how to stay safe and secure online on the Cyber Aware website.
Ukrainian-English model document translations
UK-based professional language associations and organisations have created model document translations for the most commonly needed documents:
- Birth Certificate (in two versions: late Soviet-era and more recent)
- Marriage Certificate
- Divorce Certificate
The Ukrainian model has the language code UK in the file name, and the English model the language code EN. Both the UK and EN models have blank spaces for personal details.
The models can be downloaded and used free of charge from www.charitytranslators.org/LinksforUkraine#Templates.
More templates will be added for the most commonly needed document types.
How to access NHS services (posters)
Posters have been developed by the NHS to provide advice for Ukrainian refugees entering the UK on how to access NHS services. They come in three languages - Ukrainian, Russian and English.
- How the NHS Works Infographic - Ukrainian (PDF Document, 0.46 Mb)
- How the NHS Works Infographic - Russian (PDF Document, 0.46 Mb)
- How the NHS Works Infographic - English (PDF Document, 0.57 Mb)
Show of support
The Council has showed its support for the people of Ukraine in a number of ways. We have been flying the Ukrainian flag at its Southfields office and also lit our main office in blue and yellow at night
Councillors also met the Polish community at the Sockman statue in Loughborough and flew the Polish flag at Loughborough Town Hall.
Council leader Jonathan Morgan has also taken part in a meeting at the Polish Community Centre with Polish vice-consul Patryk Gowin.
Last updated: Thu 28th April, 2022 @ 16:13