Support for Ukraine

Weekly drop-in sessions for Ukrainian Nationals

Ukrainian Drop In: General Information and Advice

• Tuesdays 10am-1pm

Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4RU.

Інформаційна підтримка громадян України: Загальна інформація та поради - кожного вівторка. 10:00-13:00 Адреса: Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4RU.

Информационная поддержка граждан Украины: Общая информация и советы - каждый. вторник 10:00-13:00 Адрес: Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4RU.

Ukrainian Drop In: Housing and Move on Advice

• Thursdays 10-1pm
  

Barry Library, 160 Kings Square, Barry, CF63 4RW.

Інформаційна підтримка громадян України: Поради стосовно житла та переїзду від спонсорів.

Щочетверга 10:00-13:00.

Адреса: Barry Library, 160 Kings Square, Barry, CF63 4RW.

Информационная поддержка граждан Украины: Советы относительно жилья и переезда от спонсоров.

Каждый четверг 10:00-13:00.

Адресс: Barry Library 160 Kings Square, Barry, CF63 4RW.

Ukrainian Drop In: Housing, Move on Advice and General Information

• Wednesday 23rd November 2022, 10-1pm

Annexe 5 Old Hall, High Street, Cowbridge  CF71 7AP.

Зустріч з українцями стосовно житла, поради щодо переїзду та загальна інформація

Середа, 23 листопада 2022. 

Час: 10:00-13:00. 

Розташування: Annexe 5 Old Hall, High Street, Cowbridge CF71 7AP.

Ukrainian Drop In: Housing, Move on Advice and General Information

• Wednesday 7th December 2022, 1-4pm (after the Vale Communities for Work drop in from 9.30-12.30 where the Ukrainian Support team will also be present).

Penarth Job Centre - Charnwood House, Plymouth Road, Penarth CF64 3DA.

Зустріч з українцями стосовно житла, поради щодо переїзду та загальна інформація.

Середа, 7 грудня  2022.

Час: 13:00 -16:00 ( після зустрічі з Vale Communities for Work о 9:30- 12:30,  де також буде присутня команда підтримки для українців).

Розташування: Penarth Job Centre - Charnwood House, Plymouth Road, Penarth CF64 3DA.

Please contact the Ukrainian Support Team for any additional questions or advice at ukrainiansupport@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Homes for Ukraine Scheme

If you want to offer a home to people fleeing Ukraine, you can become a sponsor as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. 

Anyone in the UK with a spare room or home can register to become a sponsor, as long as:

• You can offer accommodation for at least 6 months

• If you’re not a British citizen, you have leave to remain in the UK for at least 6 months

‘Thank you’ payments for sponsors

An optional £350 per month ‘thank you’ payment is available for sponsors.

The ‘thank you’ payment is limited to one payment per residential address. You will continue to receive payments for as long as you sponsor somebody and for up to 12 months. This payment will be made in arrears.

Please complete the ‘thank you’ payment form and return it to us at:

• ukrainiansupport@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.

You should complete the form as thoroughly as possible, including the date that your guests arrived and the date they left if applicable. You must email us to let us know if your guests leave your accommodation as quickly as possible to avoid any overpayments. Any overpayments will need to be repaid to us.

Frequently Asked Questions for hosts

The Vale of Glamorgan Council would like to thank you for committing to sponsor a Ukrainian National in your home. Please read our frequently asked questions about how the Homes for Ukraine hosting scheme will work and some of the things to expect.

• What checks need to take place before my guest/s arrive?

  The Vale of Glamorgan Council will contact you to undertake a housing inspection. The inspection will be carried out by the Vale of Glamorgan’s Shared Regulatory Service (SRS) and will be a lower level inspection than the inspections carried out on private rented accommodation.

   

  If you are hosting within your own home we will be required to undertake a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for all persons aged 16 plus in the sponsor household. You should consider any adult children who may return to the home for periods of time, for example children returning from university or working abroad, as they may also need to undergo a DBS check. In cases where the incoming arrivals include children and/or vulnerable adults, an enhanced DBS check will be required for each adult in the sponsor household. You should inform the local authority if a new adult moves in when the people you are sponsoring are still staying with you so that a DBS check can also be conducted on them.

   

  In cases where your guest/s are being accommodated in a separate property to your own a DBS check will still be necessary.

   

  We are unable to give a specific timeframe for DBS results as this varies from person to person. However it is important that you provide your identification documents (ID) as soon as possible in order that we can verify your identity and progress your application as quickly as possible.  

• What level of support will I need to provide my guest/s?

  We understand that some hosts may have more time than others to offer support to their Ukrainian guest/s with some of the practical tasks they need to undertake after they arrive, such as registering with a GP, opening a bank account and applying for Universal Credit.

   

  Before your guest/s arrival a support worker will contact you to arrange a pre arrival visit to discuss the practical tasks that need to be undertaken and what levels of support you can and/or would like to offer. This will help inform a support plan for your guest/s to facilitate the settling in process and integration into their new community.

   

  At the pre arrival visit you will have the opportunity to ask any questions. The support worker will be a point of contact for you and your guest/s after they arrive and in the following weeks/months and will be able to offer advice in regard to benefits claims etc. 

   

  After your guest/s have arrived the support worker will arrange a post arrival visit.

• What will my guest/s be entitled to?

  The visa will allow the individual to stay in the UK for 3 years. They will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds. They will also be able to access wraparound support from the Local Authority which includes access to education etc. They will also have access to Health Services and will be allowed to register with your local GP. 

• What happens if my guests want to bring their pets with them?

  Please think carefully about whether you would be happy to welcome your guest/s pets into your home and how they would fit into your household. Any pet travelling to the UK must meet strict health requirements and may be required to quarantine in an authorised facility for up to 4 months. The guidance for Wales differs from guidance for England and Scotland.

   

  More information on the rules on bringing pets into Wales from Ukraine.

• How can I prepare myself for hosting?

  We recognise that hosting another person/s in your home is a huge commitment and it is important that you feel as prepared as possible for their arrival.

   

  Welsh Government have produced a guide for sponsors which offers practical advice and helpful links on how best you can support the person or family you sponsor.

   

  This guide also includes a link to online safeguarding training that is free to access. We encourage you to take time to go through this training.

   

  Housing Justice Cymru are running a number of training sessions for sponsors. Details of these will be shared with you by the Vale of Glamorgan’s Ukrainian Support Team as and when the sessions are arranged. We would encourage you to attend these sessions in order to get a better insight into the role of a sponsor.

   

  RESET offer a useful toolkit from which you can download a range of guides to assist you in planning the support you will offer to refugees including:

  - Empowerment, Boundaries and Power Balance

  - Preparing your property

  - Financial matters

  - Safeguarding

  - Integration Support

  - Planning for the end of your support

   

  The Sanctuary Foundation offers a free online training course ‘The Sanctuary Refugee Course’ which introduces refugee safety, wellbeing and support as well as webinars covering specific topics such working with vulnerable families and children. All these resources can be found on the Sanctuary Foundation website.
  

   

  Housing Justice Cymru are offering advice and guidance for new and existing sponsors which includes training sessions for new hosts and a host support helpline 01654 550 550 operating 9am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 12pm on weekends. Further information can be found on their website. 

   

   

  You can also contact the Refugee Support Team on ukrainiansupport@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk for further information

• How will I as a sponsor be supported?

  Housing Justice Cymru are offering advice, guidance and emotional support for new and existing hosts. They can be contacted on UkraineHostSupport@housingjustice.org.uk for more information about any of their sessions or you can view their website https://housingjustice.org.uk/cymru/host-support-homes-for-ukraine

   

  Their host support helpline is now live, please contact 01654 550 550 and their Host Support Coordinators will be able to advise you. The phone line operates 9am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 12pm on weekends.

   

  The Vale Refugee Support Team can be contacted by emailing ukrainiansupport@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk  or by telephoning 01446 700111 and asking to speak to a member of the Ukrainian Support Team.

   

  Your allocated support worker will be your main point of contact during working hours and will conduct the pre and post arrival visit with you.

   

  Support staff can suggest things for you and/or your guest to do during the day, ESOL and other educational resources, health facilities, advice agencies, as well as community and refugee support groups.

   

  From time to time the Vale of Glamorgan Council may be able to offer online or in-person training on relevant topics, which we would make available according to need and interest from hosts.

   

  Community Facebook and WhatsApp groups will give you the opportunity to meet other hosts, reflect on your experiences, share your joys and concerns and information about services that can help you help your guest.

   

  The Vale of Glamorgan Council takes responsibility for all admin duties related to the project as well as Disclosure and Barring service (DBS) application and payments for guests when they arrive.

• What if the placement breaks down?

  If for any reason you are thinking of ending the sponsorship arrangement early you should speak to your allocated support worker as soon as possible or email the Vale of Glamorgan Council at ukrainiansupport@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.

   

  In the event that issues arise which cannot be resolved with support and a placement must end the Vale of Glamorgan Council will support the guest to leave. Whether we can offer further hosting with a different host will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

   

  If it is possible to give “reasonable notice” to your guest, then this would be encouraged in order that the Vale of Glamorgan can look for the most appropriate alternative accommodation.

• What about the £350 p/month thank you payment?

  Hosts in this specific set up are entitled to an optional £350 per month from their Local Authority. This will be paid in arrears for as long as you are hosting the person or family from Ukraine (up to their first 12 months in the UK). The £350 payment is intended to help you cover costs associated with helping out and is a ‘thank you payment’.

   

  Your support worker will complete the relevant form with you at their post arrival visit or you can find a link to it with information about where to return it on this page.

• What happens at the end of my sponsorship?

  Sponsors are committed to hosting people from Ukraine for a minimum of six months, but you may choose to continue beyond the initial 6 months if you and the person or family you are sponsoring wish to continue the arrangement. As mentioned previously, the ‘thank you payments’ stop 12 months after arrival in the UK. People from Ukraine will be able to live and work in Wales for up to three years and access benefits, healthcare, employment, and other support. If you do not want to (or cannot) continue the arrangement beyond six months, you should let the person or family you are sponsoring know in plenty of time so they can make other arrangements. Sponsors should do this, at the very minimum, one month before the end of the 6 months.

   

  Local authorities have homelessness support duties and can actively support the search for alternative accommodation for any Ukrainian expected to become homeless within 56 days. People from Ukraine have access to public funds and will be able to rent a property like anyone else. If they need to, they will be able to claim the housing part of Universal Credit or Housing Benefit if they are over State Pension age. Rent Smart Wales has useful information on renting property which is available on the Rent Smart Wales website.

   

  Please contact the Refugee Support Team on ukrainiansupport@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or contact your allocated support worker if you wish to discuss move on options for your guests further.

   

  There is also a weekly housing and move on drop in for Ukrainian Nationals on Thursdays from 10-1pm at Barry Library, 160 Kings Square, Barry, CF63 4RW to seek advice, guidance and information about their housing options.

• Post arrival
  Your support worker will arrange a post arrival visit as soon as possible after your guest/s arrive. Support workers have access to interpreters if needed so they can communicate with your guest/s as they are an independent point of contact for them as well as for you as a host.

• What if my guests don’t speak English? 

  Our guests have different levels of English. Some of our hosts and guests are able to communicate in another common language, whereas others find the ‘Google Translate’ or ‘sayhi’ apps a helpful tool for communication.

   

  Some of our guests may have difficulty communicating for various reasons and so visual aids and body language can be very helpful. Exposure to and opportunity to practice English can be extremely beneficial for some guests.

   

  Support staff will be able to inform you about ESOL classes your guests can access – if in rural areas these may be online or you may find informal classes in your local community. 

• What sort of things should I explain to my guest/s to help them settle in?

  You may have already established some ground rules within your own family such as etiquette around what you wear around the house, using bathrooms, privacy, confidentiality, people who regularly visit your home and smoking etc.

   

  It is important to have these conversations with your guest/s at the earliest opportunity so you can all be clear on your boundaries and how you will live in the same property harmoniously.

   

  Additional things to consider which will assist your guests/s with settling in and orientation are:

  - Sharing your WIFI code with them

  - Describe how to use the oven, dishwasher, washing machine, and rubbish disposal, including recycling

  - Show them where carbon monoxide detectors are located and explain what to do if they hear carbon monoxide alarms. Then show them fire exit routes and show them where the front and back door keys are kept so they can let themselves out in case of an emergency

  - Explain how to use 999 and 101

  - Show them how to navigate the sanctuary website to learn about Wales and their rights  

  - Point them in the direction of the nearest large supermarket

  - Point them in the direction of the nearest bus stop/train station      .

  - Point them in the direction of the post office and a post box

  - Point them in the direction of the library / local community centre

  - Point them in the direction of the pharmacy

  - Point them in the direction of the local police station so they know where to go if they need to file a report

• Will my guest have money?

  Your guest/s are eligible for an interim payment of £200 for subsistence costs while they await their first payment of Universal Credit and look for employment.

   

  This will be administered by the Vale of Glamorgan Council. The £200 payment does not need to be repaid and belongs to the arriving Ukrainian so should not be requested by the Sponsor.

   

  This payment can be collected from the Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4RU on a Tuesday or a Thursday between 10am-2pm.

   

  If possible please notify the refugee support team on ukrainiansupport@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk of the day your guest/s intends to come to collect their £200 so that they can notify the cashiers in advance.

• Should I give or receive money from my guest?

  It is very important that hosts neither accept money from their guests, nor sign anything that could be construed as a tenancy agreement. This is for the protection of both guests and hosts. Our guests are just that, guests, and don’t have the right to stay in a host’s home – but if a host accepts money or signs anything suggesting there is a tenancy, this can cause serious problems. It is very important that hosts are not expecting rent or services from their guests in return for their room. This is also important to ensure the proper boundaries between guest and host remain in place. A guest who is earning may want to contribute – and doing some household shopping, for example, may be wholly appropriate. Paying money into their host’s bank account is not a good idea.

• Should my guest use my postal address?

  Guests will need to use your postal address for things like registering with a local GP, opening a bank account and registering with the job centre.

• How do my guests get their Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)?

  The process for obtaining a Biometric Residence Permit depends on whether your guest/s have provided biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) before travelling to the UK.

   

  If they have not already given their biometrics at a visa application centre before travelling to the UK they will need to apply to extend their permission to be in the UK by completing the relevant application form.
  

   

  After completing this form they will be asked to book an appointment at a UK visa application centre to provide biometrics. At this appointment they will be asked to show their passport or travel document as proof of ID. Children aged under 18 must be accompanied by a ‘Responsible Adult’, who must also show ID. Unless this adult is a parent or legal guardian who is named on the child’s vignette sticker and is collecting their own BRP at the same time, they must be nominated here.

   

  Biometrics must be provided within six months of entry into the UK. Please note that most visa application centres are currently fully booked for several weeks so it is important not to leave this too late.

   

  If your guest/s attended a visa application centre to give their biometrics prior to travelling to the UK they should collect their BRP from the location stated on their “BRP decision letter”.

• Will my guests need a UK Sim Card?

  Yes they will need to get a UK sim card soon after they arrive. 

• What about registering with a doctor and dentist?

  Registration with a local GP as soon as possible is a crucial part of helping your guest/s to settle in the UK. We advise you to help the individuals or family you are sponsoring to do this.

   

  In addition to registering with a GP, it is advisable for your guest/s to register with a dentist though it recognised that some dental practices may not have capacity for NHS patients.

   

  Further Information can be found here:

  - NHS Wales: Find an NHS Dentist

  - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board: Supporting those affected by the crisis in Ukraine (this page can be translated in Ukrainian).

   

  Please be aware that if you are hosting a child over the age of 11 they will be asked to take a TB test before they start at school or college. You can arrange a test with their GP once they are registered.

• Bank Account

  It is important that your guest/s open a bank account as soon as possible. It would be useful to let them know that there are a range of banks they can choose from, including online-only providers.

   

  To open a bank account your guest/s will usually need to show a form of identification such as a passport or a driver’s licence or a recognised identity card as well as proof of address. Further information on how to open a bank account is available on the Welsh Government Sanctuary website.
  

• How do my guest/s apply for Universal Credit?

  Your guest/s will need a bank account to apply for Universal Credit.

   

  An application for Universal Credit can be started online.
  

   

  Many people have found that it is easiest, when asked to provide proof of identity, to tick the box saying “I cannot do this online”. This will trigger an appointment at your local Job Centre where you will have to provide documents. ID documents accepted include a Ukrainian international passport with entry stamp, a BRP, and a full or provisional Ukrainian photo driving licence. They are likely also to be asked to prove their address in the UK – the easiest way to do this is by showing a GP registration letter or a UK bank statement.

   

  A Universal Credit application can be started without a National Insurance number but this will be required before they can receive payments. This number can be generated as part of the Universal Credit application process but this requires providing answers to security questions over the phone; some people have found it easier and quicker to apply for a  National Insurance number online.
  

• Are my guests entitled to free travel in Wales?

  Welsh Government’s free travel scheme for refugees started on 26 March and will continue until 31 March 2023 pending a further review.

   

  The scheme provides unlimited travel on:

  - All local bus services

  - Transport for Wales rail services across Wales

  - Bus and Transport for Wales train services that cross into England if starting or finishing in Wales

  - The scheme is available to refugees travelling to Wales searching for a safe haven

   

  Further information on free travel advice for refugees.
  

• Will the children and young people I am hosting be able to access education?

  More information on schools in the Vale of Glamorgan.

• What activities can the children and young people I am hosting access?

  The Vale Family Information Service can offer information on childcare, activities and services for children and young people and family support in the Vale of Glamorgan.

   

  TGP Cymru’s Refugee and Asylum Programme (RAP) offers a holistic and rights-based approach to supporting and empowering young people. They offer a range of services which you can read about on the TGP Cymru website.

• What if I have safeguarding concerns in relation to any of guests?

  Local authority social services and the Police have the main responsibility for responding when anyone is concerned that they or someone else is at risk of harm, abuse or neglect. However, they need someone to let them know (report) a safeguarding concern before they can help.

   

  You may see or hear something that makes you worried that the person or family you are hosting are at risk of harm, abuse or neglect. Abuse can come in many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual and financial. This could be a worry about the way they treat their children or relatives or the way someone else is treating them.

   

  You might also see or hear something that makes you worried that your children, relatives or someone else is at risk because of the behaviour of the person or family you are hosting.

   

  The person or family you are hosting from Ukraine may also ask for your help in reporting a safeguarding concern.

   

  Asking for help is the right thing to do. Whether you are worried about a child from Ukraine or adult, or about yourself, your family or someone in the community.

   

  It is important to share these concerns as soon as you can. If you are worried that someone is at immediate risk of harm, for example if a child or adult from Ukraine goes missing, then you should telephone the Police on 999.

   

  Your local authority will provide you with information about how to contact your local social services if you are worried that someone may be at risk of harm, abuse or neglect. You can also find information on your local authority website by searching for the name of your local authority followed by ‘reporting a child at risk’ or ‘reporting an adult at risk’.

   

  Online training is available that is free to access and can help you to understand more about safeguarding. We encourage you to take time to go through this training. Visit the Learning@Wales website.

• How will the adults in my household be supported to find work?

  Your local Job Centre will help guests to find employment and information can also be found on the jobs page of the Sanctuary website.

   

  Volunteering Wales allows people to search for volunteering opportunities in their local area.
  

   

  The Vale of Glamorgan Council website has information about volunteering opportunities locally.
  

   

  Vale Communities for Work are running CV/employability sessions on a Friday afternoon at Barry Library 1pm-4pm and also on a Thursday at 3pm. They can also be available for a Thursday morning session if contacted in advance. An employment mentor can assist with all aspects of finding work, such as building CV’s and interview techniques. Please contact Kateryna Gorodnycha on kgorodnycha@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or Stephen Segal on ssegal@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk if you have any enquires.

• What English classes will my guests be able to access? 

  The Vale Learning Centre offers English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and can advise on assessment and classes.

   

  REACH+ is the Welsh Government funded hub for ESOL in cities across Wales. REACH+ centres provide one central point of contact for anyone wishing to access ESOL classes.

   

  You can also keep an eye out in your community for informal ESOL classes or conversation.

• What about mental health support for my guest/s?

  Traumatic Stress Wales have developed a list of resources for people who have been specifically impacted by the situation in Ukraine. These resources include information about C.A.L.L, the mental health helpline for Wales, which has been translated into Ukrainian and Russian.

   

  As part of their service for young refugees and asylum seekers TGP Cymru run the Belong Project which aims to help young people develop confidence, resilience and ‘be the best they can be’ by offering safe spaces to meet, learning new skills, broaden horizons and opportunities to understand and acclimatise to systems and culture in Wales.
  

• How can I report a hate crime? 

  Any concerns can be reported via the following form which is also available in Ukrainian. Victims or witnesses of hate crime can report directly to the police. If it’s an emergency call 999 or 101 for any non-emergency.

   

  - Report a hate crime 

  - Report a hate crime (Ukrainian)

• What if my guests want legal advice on their situation?

  Ukraine Advice Project UK are offering free UK immigration and asylum advice for Ukrainians and their families.

   

  Asylum Justice are offering free one off immigration advice sessions to  Ukrainians to help them understand their immigration status.  Please email s.mcgarrity@asylumjustice.org.uk for any further information.

If you have not been able to find the answer to your question, please speak to your allocated support worker or send an email to:

• ukrainiansupport@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Ukraine Family Scheme

The Ukraine Family Scheme allows applicants to join family members or extend their stay in the UK.

Apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa

Disasters Emergency Committee

If you want to help but cannot offer accommodation, you can donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee. This group of charities work on the ground in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to provide essentials, including food, water, shelter and medical assistance.

People wishing to donate to help with the Ukraine appeal, should do so as a financial donation through the appropriate channels such as the Disasters Emergency Committee. This is the preferred option rather than by making physical donations of goods as these can cause logistical issues.

Guidance for Ukrainian Nationals

The Welsh Government has created sanctuary, a website that provides help for sanctuary seekers:

The UK government has published a welcome guide for Ukrainians arriving in Britain:

The Red Cross has also produced advice for Ukrainians arriving in the UK, with translations available:

Helpline for arrivals and sponsors

A dedicated helpline has been launched for people arriving in Wales from Ukraine and for people who are acting as sponsors to provide advice and guidance.

The freephone helpline for Ukrainians and sponsors is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• For callers in the UK, the number is: Freephone 0808 175 1508

• For callers outside the UK, the number is: +44 20 4542 5671

Contact us 

If you have any questions about support for Ukraine, please email:

• ukrainiansupport@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk