Support for Ukraine

Find out how you can help to support people from Ukraine.

Offer a home to a Ukrainian

The government has launched ‘Homes for Ukraine’ and invited individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to volunteer accommodation and provide a route to safety for Ukrainians forced to escape their homeland.

UK based sponsors will be asked to provide accommodation for at least six months. Ukrainian people arriving under the scheme will be able to live and work in the UK for up to three years and access healthcare, benefits, education, and English language tuition.

Read frequently asked questions for sponsors.

People and organisations who want to help are asked to register their interest on the government website.

Donate to help Ukraine

We encourage you to support the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal. They are seeking cash because it a much more efficient, effective and quicker way to get help from the UK.

Donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)

Information for sponsors

If you have been successful in your application to be a host sponsor and have been matched with a family from Ukraine, we will be informed by The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities via its online portal that it is sharing with local authorities.

Colleagues from the district council in your area and our Health and Adult Services / Children and Young People's services will be in contact with you in due course to arrange a visit to meet with your family and the family members from Ukraine that you are sponsoring.

The purpose of the visit will be to carry out accommodation and safeguarding checks. We will also provide information about accessing other support that will be available for the Ukrainians including making a claim for Universal Credit and other benefits, access to NHS services, and school places.

You will also be contacted separately by our Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to arrange for you and all members of your household who are aged over 16 to have a DBS check.

In the meantime if you require more information please contact us on 01609 780780.

Find out more in the Homes for Ukraine sponsor guidance.

Read the Homes for Ukraine Toolkit containing an outline of the support you might need to provide.

Read Top Trauma Tips for Hosts of Ukrainian Refugees (pdf / 5 MB) to help you create an environment that fosters a feeling of safety, independence and control for your host family.

Ukrainians arriving in the UK

The government has produced a welcome pack for Ukrainians arriving in the UK. It tells you what you need to know about getting used to life in the UK, including how to find a home, access essential public services, healthcare, finding work and childcare and education services. You can also read the welcome pack in Ukrainian and read the welcome pack in Russian.

Find out more about the role of councils and sponsors.

Read guidance for family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme.

Find our more about moving to the UK if you are Ukrainian.

Information relating to North Yorkshire including local services

Public transport and places to visit

North Yorkshire Welcome Pack

Our guide gives information about living in the United Kingdom, and North Yorkshire in particular. It will help you understand what you need to do and where to go for help.

Children and families services

Early Years

Schools

Housing and homelessness

The following links take you to information on homelessness and housing advice in your local area. See a map of North Yorkshire showing the main towns and which district you have moved to (pdf / 331 KB).

Health services and information about the Covid-19 vaccination

Living Well Service

Our coordinators work with people in need to reduce loneliness and isolation, increase participation and support you to be independent. Find out about Living Well in North Yorkshire.

Other useful signposting information and support

Resources for children

A free welcome box (including a Lenovo tablet) can be provided for Ukrainian children aged 5-9 years, which can be ordered by schools, charities and other organisations by registering your interest to receive Bookmark Boxes for Ukraine. There are limited numbers available.
Children in Need have a bank of resources and organisations that can help with talking to children about Ukraine and Russia (mostly aimed at UK children)
Twinkl (resources for primary school aged children) has a number of Ukrainian Dual Language Resources.
Links to Ukrainian textbooks and schooling.
Links to educational resources for Ukrainian children.
Ukrainian Language Resources for children.
Ukrainian Language Resources (bilingualkidsrock.com)

Phones and connectivity

The Mobile Phone provider, Three, has rolled out a support package for Ukrainians arriving in the UK. This will provide a free, 30 day, pay as you go SIM card with unlimited UK calls and texts and also free calls and texts form the UK to Ukraine.
Vodaphone is offering free SIMS for 6 months – these can only be accessed by charities supporting people (not limited to Ukrainians).
Virgin Media O2 have also removed data charges for data use in Ukraine and will credit charges for calls and texts to and from Ukraine and the UK for their customers.

Banking

Lloyds, Santander, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland have stated on their websites that they will assist Ukrainians with opening bank accounts in the UK. There are also numerous online banking providers who offer easy to set up accounts.

Vaccination resources including migrant catch up, routine immunisation and Covid-19

Migrant health guide
New to the UK vaccination leaflet for migrants - This information is for anyone who has moved to the UK and advises them on the need to register with a GP to get up to date with their routine vaccinations. It explains the vaccines that at risk people with health conditions, pregnant women, infants, children and older adults need and the diseases this will help protect them from. It also signposts to the health services and where to get assistance and how to use the services.
MMR for all leaflet – measles, mumps and rubella - Download only
TB, BCG and your baby leaflet in English - Download only
TB, BCG and your baby leaflet in Ukrainain - Download only

Covid-19 programme resources

For adults, pregnant women, children aged 12 to 17 and boosters in Russian and Ukrainian are available to download or order as paper copies.