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Dear Sponsors and Guests,
Hello everyone,
Welcome to October’s Homes for Ukraine newsletter!
I want to start by thanking everyone who attended our first sponsors webinar on 29 September – hopefully you found it informative and useful as you continue your sponsorship. For those who couldn't attend, you can watch the webinar online – read on to find out more.
As a team we really enjoyed the experience and loved seeing you! We would like to do something similar in the future but maybe with a more informal approach, and welcome your thoughts and ideas on what you would find beneficial.
It has been wonderful to hear from some sponsors that your guests are now part of the family and have become life long friends. We also know that circumstances change, and through no one’s fault sponsoring past the initial six months is just not an option.
It’s really important that we know as soon as possible if we need to look for alternative accommodation for guests. There will be no judgment, just our sincere gratitude that you opened up your home in someone’s hour of need.
Of course if you can extend your guests stay for another six months that would be fantastic news, so please do let us know that too.
Enjoy the rest of the newsletter and if you need anything in the meantime, you can:
Telephone: 0300 300 8855
Email: homesforukraine@centralbedfordshire.gov.ukMel Goult, Ukraine Support Team Manager
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News and updates
Missed our sponsors webinar? Watch it online.
We hosted a webinar for sponsors on the 29 September, which was hosted by our Chief Executive Marcel Coiffait.
Over 20 sponsors attended the webinar, giving them an opportunity to find out about the teams behind our Homes for Ukraine scheme, how it all works, and to ask questions about the scheme or raise any issues they were concerned about. We received some really lovely comments from attendees, and hope it was useful. Thank you for taking the time our of your evening to come and meet us!
If you weren't able to attend, you can watch a video of the webinar online.
Additional £600 payments for sponsors
We recognise households may be facing additional pressures over the coming months, due to increases in energy, fuel, inflation and food prices.
To provide some extra support, we are introducing additional payments over the next three months for sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
We will be paying an extra £600 per sponsor which will be split into three payments - £200 per month paid in November, December and January. You don’t need to request or register for the additional payment as we already have bank details for sponsors receiving the £350 a month ‘thank you’ payments.
This additional support will be in place while we wait for government guidance on whether funding for sponsors should be increased. Should the Government confirm an increase in funding between November and January, the additional payments may be cancelled.
Free leisure centre pass for Ukrainian guests
Ukrainian guests in Central Bedfordshire under the Homes for Ukraine scheme can now access local leisure centres. We are working with Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL) to provide all Ukrainian guests on this scheme with a free three-month pass to their facilities.
Using the pass regularly will automatically grant guests an extension for a further three months, up to a total of 12 months.
We have leisure centres in Flitwick, Houghton Regis, Sandy, Biggleswade, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard.
Find full details for leisure centres.
Some age restrictions apply. Guests can apply for a free pass online.
Do you know anyone who wants to become a sponsor?
We're extremely grateful to everyone in Central Bedfordshire who has volunteered to become a sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and opened up their homes to Ukrainian guests. If you know anyone who would like to become a sponsor, they can register their details on the government's website.
Anyone who has not been matched with a Ukrainian person or family can register their interest, as long as:
- they can offer a spare room or home for at least 6 months
- they have leave to remain in the UK for at least 6 months if they are not a British citizen
- they do not have a criminal record
Community events
Drop in sessions: Flitwick, Biggleswade and Shefford
We're hosting drop in sessions for sponsors and guests to give everyone an opportunity to socialise, find out about support and share information. Children are welcome and refreshments will be provided. They will take place at:
Flitwick Children's Centre, Malham Close, MK45 1PU
Sessions start on Monday 14 November and then run every other week. Please call 0300 300 8111 for more information.
Biggleswade Youth Centre, 137 Mead End, SG18 8JU
These sessions started on Tuesday 27 September, and run every other week from 10am to 11:30am. Please call 0300 300 8114 for more information.
Shefford Children's Centre, School Lane, SG17 5XA
These sessions started on Friday 20 May, and run every other week from 1pm to 3pm. Please call 0300 300 8112 for more information.
Other resources and support
Welcome Reading Packs from the National Literacy Trust
You can request a Welcome Reading Pack from the National Literacy Trust, for your guests. Each pack contains a tote-bag with age-appropriate books in English, a ruler, pencil, pack of markers, stickers, a pencil case, a hardback notebook.
The packs are sent out at the end of each month. Request a pack by filling out the form on the National Literacy Trust's website.
Barnardo’s Ukrainian Support Helpline
Barnado's have set up a Ukrainian Support Helpline to provide support service to children and adults who have fled the war in Ukraine. All services include access to interpreters in Ukrainian and Russian. The Helpline is open:
Monday to Friday: 10am to 8pm
Saturday: 10am to 3pmCall the free helpline on 0800 148 8586 or visit the Barnado's website to find out more.
Don't forget about our website!
Don’t forget about our website! We have created a whole section which covers the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, initial support for guests, how to access financial support including Universal Credit, as well as information about education, training, how to set up a bank account, health and wellbeing. Most of our website can be translated into Ukrainian.
To find out more and see what information we have available, visit: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/ukraine-sponsors.
Contacting the Ukraine Support Team
Telephone: 0300 300 8855
Email: homesforukraine@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk