-

Wallingford Town Council stands by the people of Ukraine in the face of the invasion by Russia and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this action.

In addition, the Town Council is doing the following in response:

  • We are posting appropriate messages of support on our website and in social media.
  • Public wishing to support a relief effort are being signposted to recognised and appropriate charities (see below).

Government support schemes

Guidance on government support available to Ukrainian nationals and their family members, including the Ukraine Family Scheme

FREE English Language Lessons for the Ukrainian Community

To help the Ukrainian Community adapt to their new lives in South Oxfordshire, free English language lessons will be taught by qualified teachers also fleeing Ukraine. Any age, from complete beginners to those wanting to brush up their English before starting school or work, can attend. To register, please email : info@oldcountinghouse.co.uk or phone 01491 528880. Times : Mornings (Monday – Friday) starting from Wednesday 4th May Location : The Old Counting House, 82e High Street, Wallingford, OX10 0BS. For more information please visit The Old Counting House website

English Language Lessons For The Ukrainian Community (002)

Homes for Ukraine scheme

The government has launched its Homes for Ukraine scheme and supporting website. The scheme will offer a route to those who want to come to the UK who have someone here willing to provide them with a home.

It will enable individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to volunteer accommodation and provide a route to safety for Ukrainians, and their immediate family members, forced to escape their homeland.

Sponsors should provide accommodation for a minimum of six months. The government is offering an optional ‘thank you’ payment of £350 per month to people who can accommodate one or more households (subject to the accommodation they have) for up to 12 months.

From Friday 18 March, the visa application route opened for sponsors and named contacts to apply to the scheme.

The government has indicated it will provide further funding for local authorities to support this scheme, including sponsors, to help families rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities.

South Oxfordshire District Council’s ‘Homes for Ukraine Scheme Briefing’

Guidance for Ukrainian nationals

Guidance on government support available to Ukrainian nationals and their family members. This includes the Ukraine Family Scheme, which allows family members of British nationals to come to or stay in the UK; and the Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukraine, which enables people and organisations such as charities, businesses and community groups to sponsor Ukrainians who do not have established families in the country, so they are able to come to the UK.

Making a donation

Many people in the county want to do whatever they can to help, and one way is to make a donation.

The best current route to donate and support is via the Disasters Emergencies Committee. The UK Government has said it will match fund up to £20m. DEC works with 15 charities including Oxfam, Christian Aid and Save the Children.

There are a number of other international charities you can support:

Giving safely

If you’re looking to donate to causes working in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, you should make a few simple checks before giving:

  • Check the charity’s name and registration number at www.gov.uk/checkcharity
  • Make sure the charity is genuine before giving any financial information
  • Be careful when responding to emails or clicking on links within them
  • Contact or find out more online about the charity that you’re seeking to donate to or work with to understand how they are spending their funds
  • Look out for the Fundraising Badge on charity fundraising materials, this is the logo which shows that a charity has committed to fundraise in line with the Code of Fundraising Practice

Support for parents and carers

It is difficult to be able to answer questions that children may be asking about what is happening in Ukraine.

There are a number of resources available with content to help children better understand the information they are seeing and hearing about and also content that provides support to parents on how to talk about the war in Ukraine and where to find support.

A list of some of these resources can be found below: