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.
Register your interest to offer a home
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.
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.
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
- Children and families services early help guide in English (pdf / 550 KB)
- Children and families services early help guide in Ukrainian (pdf / 601 KB)
- Children and families services early help guide in Russian (pdf / 756 KB)
Early Years
- Early Years letter to parents in English (pdf / 415 KB)
- Early Years letter to parents in Ukrainian (pdf / 515 KB)
- Early Years letter to parents in Russian (pdf / 441 KB)
- Child Information for new early years setting in English (pdf / 376 KB)
- Child Information for new early years setting in Ukrainian (pdf / 400 KB)
- Child Information for new early years setting in Russian (pdf / 399 KB)
- Guidance for childminders who may have signed up to support Ukraine schemes
Schools
- Letter to parents in English (pdf / 454 KB)
- Letter to parents in Ukrainian (pdf / 591 KB)
- Letter to parents in Russian (pdf / 492 KB)
- Pupil Information form for new starters in English (pdf / 376 KB)
- Pupil Information form for new starters in Ukrainian (pdf / 409 KB)
- Pupil Information form for new starters in Russian (pdf / 408 KB)
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).
- Craven District Council homeless or at risk of homelessness
- Hambleton District Council housing options
- Harrogate Borough Council housing advice
- Richmondshire District Council homeless
- Ryedale District Council homeless prevention service
- Scarborough Borough Council homelessness prevention and relief
- Selby District Council homelessness
Health services and information about the Covid-19 vaccination
- Covid-19 vaccination guide in English (pdf / 902 KB)
- Covid-19 vaccination guide in Ukrainian (pdf / 708 KB)
- How the NHS works in English (pdf / 580 KB)
- How the NHS works in Ukrainian (pdf / 469 KB)
- How the NHS works in Russian (pdf / 470 KB)
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
- Department for Work and Pensions support for Ukrainians for arriving in the UK (pdf / 1 MB)
- Department for Work and Pensions support for Ukrainians for arriving in the UK Ukrainian translation (pdf / 1 MB)
- British Red Cross information leaflet for Ukrainians arriving in the UK in English (pdf / 338 KB)
- British Red Cross information leaflet for Ukrainians arriving in the UK in Ukrainian (pdf / 364 KB)
- British Red Cross information leaflet for Ukrainians arriving in the UK in Russian (pdf / 368 KB)
- British Red Cross: Information and support for people from Ukraine, including the family migration visa and the Ukrainian family scheme.
- City of Sanctuary UK
- RESET Communities and Refugees
- RESET Homes for Ukraine matching portal
- NACCOM The No Accommodation Network
- NACCOM Good practice guidance for hosts
- City of Sanctuary UK introduction to hosting webinar
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.