How you can help Ukrainian refugees
North Wales Community Hubs are being set up with the support of the dioceses of St Asaph and Bangor linking to two specialist organisations: Link International and the European Freedom Network.
The aim of the Community Hubs is to provide support to the Ukrainian refugees and to their hosts. Link International is holding a special online session on Wednesday night (March 30th) to give you more guidance, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm:
Click here to visit the Diocesan information page and for the direct Zoom link.
(For reference, the Meeting ID is: 883 8189 1269 and Passcode: 574630)
Entry into the UK
There are 4 channels:
Family visa scheme
Homes for Ukraine – personal sponsor
Homes for Ukraine - corporate sponsor
Homes for Ukraine - Welsh Government (WG) sponsor (super sponsor)
First of all, you will need to register on the Government website:
https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/
When you have registered don’t expect to hear anything very quickly as this is a huge logistical undertaking.
The super sponsor: The Welsh Government plans to bring in approximately 1,000 refugees. It will house them in self-contained accommodation and they will spend a period of time there being supported by professionals on health, schooling, counselling, employment and other needs. They will then move out to the individual hosts, which is why it is important to register on the Government website so refugees can be matched to suitable hosts.
Setting up hubs:
Digital connection
Link International will be instrumental in supporting communities to set up hubs. They have a wealth of information on their website and this is being developed and expanded daily.
Physical hub – your community hub: sharing ideas across the community. Start making plans: talk to schools and GPs to learn how you can support the children when they arrive to register. Do you plan to set up a regular ‘drop in location’? If so how will you man it? How many times a week? Churches are good organisations to involve as they have the necessary safeguarding and insurance already set up. Volunteers will need to apply for DBS checks – get this done before the refugees arrive so you are ready to hit the ground at the run.
Virtual hub - set up a dedicated Facebook group. Use the example on the Link website, if you set the Ukrainian flag as the profile picture with the locality of you community and part of the postcode, this makes it easier for people to link to you.
Connection to existing hubs:
During the Covid pandemic, North Wales set up a hub programme of 17 organisations across health, care, housing and other specialties. If you register with Link International they will be able to access help from these specialists on your behalf. Fill in the Ukraine form by clicking here.
What can you do now?
Be patient, things are going to move slowly at first, but there is a lot your hub can do to get things ready. As well as the ideas above, think about: putting together Welcome packs; asking local people if they would be prepared to buy school uniform; asking local taxi firms if they would donate free rides to refugees; find out where your nearest foodbank is and establish links.
Look for the top tips on the Link website. A webinar is planned for Monday 28th or Wednesday 30th March which will provide more detailed practical help and advice for community hubs. Watch the website for confirmation and details of how to join.
In Wales all public transport will be free to refugees on presentation of their passport.
Not big enough a community to set up a hub? Consider joining hubs in larger population areas such as Wrexham.
Connect to the Link International website to offer help in other ways.
