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Help for Ukraine


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Cornwall Stands with Ukraine

In Cornwall we will do what we can to support people escaping the war in Ukraine. In addition, we want to reach out to Ukrainian residents currently living in Cornwall, and anyone with friends and families affected by, or concerned about, events in Ukraine.

The Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme 

More Homes for Ukraine hosts are needed.

Please contact Cornwall Council Resettlement Service to register your interest. 

Please email: 

ResettlementService@cornwall.gov.uk 

For hosts wishing to proceed with an application, they will be asked to enter details of the people they are sponsoring into a government portal. The Resettlement Service will receive notification and make direct contact with the host.

In line with government guidance we will work with hosts to:

  • Complete safeguarding checks, initially we are seeking a basic DBS for every adult in the host household
  • Check the appropriateness of homes, initially through the completion of a form and photographic evidence

Once satisfactory information is sent to the Council we will make approvals in the government database.

In due course, we will arrange home visits and collection of evidence for DBS checks.

This will take place after visas have been issued.

Cllr Linda Taylor, leader of Cornwall Council, has said:

“We are working around the clock to provide support and advice to all our sponsors in Cornwall so we can get the Ukrainian refugee families here as quickly as possible. “We are dealing with a complex and fast moving and changing situation and we are expediting exceptional cases. Please be patient so we can ensure necessary safety checks are carried out to allow the families to come here.”

The British Red Cross have some helpful information on the website. 

Ukraine Family Scheme

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

It is free to apply, you will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds.

If you need any assistance, please call the 24/7 free helpline +44 808 164 8810 (0808 164 8810 if you’re in the UK).

If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers, please use +44 (0)175 390 7510.

Find out more about the Ukraine Family Scheme

Information and support for Ukrainian families and their relatives

If you are a resident with friends and family in Ukraine and need information or support about what is happening you can contact the Ukrainian Embassy in London:

Welcome guides

The welcome guide includes information on what Ukrainians need to know in the first few days, getting used to life in the UK including;

  • how to find a home
  • access essential public services
  • healthcare
  • find work
  • childcare
  • education services

It also includes specific information for those arriving on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Please note: Ukrainian and Russian versions of the Welcome Guidance are also available via the below government website link.

Travel advice

For official information on travel advice to and from Ukraine visit GOV.UK.

Ukraine travel advice

Free travel for Ukrainians

The UK Rail Delivery Group are offering free travel to Ukrainian nationals travelling to the UK on National Rail services, to help them get to a safe place.

Find out more on the National Rail website 

Barnardo’s Ukrainian Support Helpline

The helpline is available to anyone fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. It is staffed by English, Ukrainian and Russian speakers, to offer support to children and families arriving in the UK from Ukraine.

Full details, including opening hours and the phone number, are available on Barnardo’s webpage for Ukrainian Support Helpline.

Find out more on the Barnados website

For parents of young children or young people

With the situation developing in Ukraine, your children may be asking questions that you are unsure how to answer.

  • If you have a child in a Cornwall school who is affected by the crisis, please talk to your child’s teachers about any concerns you have and the support you would like the school to provide
  • Newsround, from the BBC’s CBBC channel, has trusted videos and reports about the war in Ukraine that have been produced specifically for children
  • Newsround also has a section for children offering advice if they are upset by the news
  • Place2Be’s educational psychologists have also shared advice about how to discuss war and conflict with children and young people – and how you can best support them at this difficult and worrying time

School admissions

Find out about admissions information for refugees on our school admissions page.

School admissions

NHS Services

The NHS have produced some guides to help refugees access their services. They are available below in three languages:

 

 

 

Last Updated:

19/10/2023

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