We will do all we can to support organisations working in the UK and abroad to help the people of Ukraine. The situation in Ukraine is leaving people in need of vital, lifesaving aid.
What you can do to help
If you want to help, the most effective action you can take is to make a financial donation to one of the charities listed below.
There are good supply chains in Eastern Europe, so it is more cost effective to send money to buy supplies locally instead of donating and transporting them from the UK.
Any amount you can give will go a long way to helping those in need. We encourage you to check the government’s guidance on safe giving before you donate.
HDC support for communities welcoming refugees from Ukraine
On this page you can see the information that we do have, as well as information on who to approach if you need support.
What will HDC do?
We will:
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undertake DBS checks on sponsors and their families
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undertake household checks to ensure that sponsor families are appropriate for Ukrainian families
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make the £200 arrival payments to Ukrainian guests to cover immediate food/essential costs
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make the £350 payment to sponsors
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provide guidance materials and support for residents and sponsors.
We are currently seeking further clarity on:
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what is the right format for the initial £200 payments to guests (to meet the needs that our guests have)
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access to legal support for refugees
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access to interpreting services
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how we will support sponsor and guests in the event of a breakdown in relations between a sponsor and a refugee/family to ensure housing can be provided.
Homes for Ukraine scheme
You can also help by providing accommodation to those fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Find out more about the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, which opened on 18 March.
Support available to Ukrainian nationals
The government provides UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals.
Ukraine refugee response - Frequently asked questions
What is the Homes for Ukraine Scheme?
The government has launched the Homes for Ukraine scheme which asks people to offer space in their homes for those fleeing the war. This allows individuals, charities, community groups and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to safety, including those with no family ties to the country.
Ukrainian people arriving under this scheme will be able to live and work in the UK for up to three years and access benefits, healthcare, employment, and other support.
What is the 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. To apply to the scheme the applicant must:
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be applying to join or accompany your UK-based family member and
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be Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme and
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have been residing in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (including those who have now left Ukraine).
How do I register my interest in the Homes for Ukraine Scheme?
People or organisations wanting to be sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine scheme can now register their interest on the Homes for Ukraine website.
How does the matching process happen through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme?
If you already know a Ukrainian national (or immediate family member) who you want to sponsor, you can help them apply for a visa under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
If you do not already know a Ukrainian national (or immediate family member) you will have to link with a voluntary sector/charitable organisation who is working to match the offer of homes in the UK with people in Ukraine who need accommodation.
Once you have been matched with people in Ukraine by this organisation you, and the people coming from Ukraine, need to complete the visa application process. This requires you, the host, to supply details about yourself, including passport information.
The people in Ukraine also need to complete their details and supply documentation. A visa application has to be done for each person who has been matched to a host’s offer of accommodation.
Find more information about hosting unknown refugees on the Homes for Ukraine website.
There are a number of organisations on a local and national level who are involved in matching. The Reset Communities and Refugees Charity has a matching service.