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Dear Sponsors and Guests,
In this issue:
- Find out about Ukraine Independence Day
- There's more information about living independently after a sponsorship ends
- There are more dates for drop-in sessions in Biggleswade
...and much more!
If there are any articles or information you would like including in future issues please do not hesitate to contact us with your suggestions.
Please do remember that you can contact the Ukraine Support Team either by calling 0300 300 8855 or emailing homesforukraine@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
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Celebrating Ukraine's Independence Day
By Iryna Kanyuka, Ukraine Support Liaison Officer
On 24 August, the the Ukrainian flag will decorate the streets of towns and cities across Ukraine - and maybe across the world.
Also known as ‘День незалежності України’ (Den’ Nezalezhnosty Ukrainy’), this day officially marks Ukraine’s Independence Day.
It commemorates Ukrainian independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, which led to the creation of the modern-day state of Ukraine. It's a special day for all citizens, with people all across the country commemorating the day.
Since 2004, 23 August is also celebrated as the day of the national flag.The Ukrainian flag consists of two horizontal bands; the blue at the top of the flag symbolises the sky and the yellow at the bottom represents wheat fields.
In the past, to celebrate Ukraine Independence Day, there has been a spectacular military parade in the capital, Kyiv. On Ukraine Independence Day in 2022, we marked six months since Russia's military action began, so no parade was held. Soldiers and equipment were instead on the front line, and it was deemed too dangerous to hold large scale gatherings.
Lots of people from across the world did celebrate though, showing their solidarity with our country.
This year will be exactly a year and a half since the beginning of Russia's war against Ukraine.
Celebrating Independence Day is an opportunity for us to come together as a community and share our culture and history with the world. We will celebrate our nation's past achievements and the courage of Ukrainians, as well as the support from around the world. We will look forward to what will hopefully be a brighter future.
News and updates
Send us your messages of unity to include in next month's newsletter
As Ukraine celebrates Independence Day, we invite you to join in by sending in a message of unity which will be featured in next month's newsletter! Your words will help spread positivity, and remind people that they are not alone in their celebrations.
To share your message, please email no more than 100 words to the Homes for Ukraine team: homesforukraine@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk by 10 September. We look forward to receiving your messages and sharing a selection of them next month.
Living independently after a sponsorship ends
We have been really pleased with the success of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and it’s been wonderful to hear the feedback and positive stories from guests and hosts who have been living together, in some cases for over 12 months
Of course, sometimes there is nothing like having your own front door and living independently. We know this can be easier said than done and there are many teams who can support guests if they would like to move into a home of their own.
If a sponsorship arrangement is coming to an end, please do let the Ukraine Support Team know as soon as possible – ideally, we ask for 8 weeks’ notice so alternative arrangements can be made for guests. The Ukraine Data Hub may be able to source a new sponsor, but this will depend on where someone wants to live and the number of bedrooms needed.
Unfortunately, in some cases the wait for social housing can be a significant period of time. This shouldn’t stop guests applying, but it may not a viable option in the short term. There are alternatives though, and we can support guests searching for private rented accommodation. We’ll refer them to the Homeless Intervention and Let’s Rent Teams, and once that’s completed they will be allocated a dedicated Homeless Intervention Officer to support them every step of the way.
Applicants will be contacted by their appointed officer who will assess their circumstances. Once the officer has completed the assessment, obtained all relevant documentation, and are satisfied that the guests are eligible for housing assistance, they will create a Personal Housing Plan.
Guests will be asked to complete an income and expenditure form to help us understand your financial situation, helping to set clear expectations about what kinds of properties they may be eligible for.
It is important to know that most landlords or agents will require guests to be working at least 16 hours per week and claiming Universal Credit.
Guests who can secure a guarantor will have an advantage. Unfortunately we cannot act as a guarantor – it needs to be someone who is preferably a homeowner, with good credit history who has an annual income of 36 times the monthly rent of the property.
Although we cannot act as a guarantor, our Let’s Rent team can support with the deposit and the first month’s rent in the form of an interest free loan. More financial support may be available, but this will be decided on a case-by-case basis. It is important that guests register with our Let’s Rent team before accepting a place to rent so the team can do all the necessary checks for safety, suitability, and affordability.
We appreciate this is a lot of information and that might sound a bit overwhelming, but we have dedicated teams to support you all the way. Your first point of contact is the Ukraine Support Team who will liaise, signpost, and refer you to the relevant teams to get you on your way to living independently for as long as you remain in the UK.
Homes for Ukraine guidance update: Learn to speak, read and write English
The government has updated the learn to speak, read and write English: Homes for Ukraine guidance, which includes added details on their funding for STEP Ukraine, an English language and employment support programme for up to 10,000 Ukrainians across the UK. Enrolment to the programme is on a rolling basis, those interested are encouraged to register as soon as possible to secure a place.
The aim of STEP Ukraine is to help Ukrainians improve their English language skills and gain new employment or employment more in line with their skill level through the provision of English language training and employment support. The STEP Ukraine programme is delivered by World Jewish Relief in partnership with the British Council.
National Flag Day
You may have seen an email inviting you to join us at a celebration event for Ukraine’s National Flag Day at the Rufus Centre in Flitwick on 23 August. It's a ticket only event and the deadline to register has now passed, but keep an eye out for the September newsletter where we'll tell you all about it!
Community events
Drop-in sessions in Biggleswade
Our Ukraine Support Team is running drop-in sessions at Biggleswade Children's Centre every other fortnight from 9:30am until 12:30pm.
The team can sort out any enquiries there and then and have lots of other useful information available. You'll also be able to meet other guests, and are welcome to stay for a hot drink and a chat.
The next events are:
- Tuesday 29 August
- Tuesday 12 September
- Tuesday 26 September
The address for Biggleswade Children’s Centre is: 137 Mead End, Biggleswade, SG18 8JU.
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