Gloucestershire Homes for Ukraine sponsor guide
Download the Gloucestershire Homes for Ukraine Sponsor Guide or read through the information tabs below.
We have also produced a Welcome to Gloucestershire information pack for Ukrainian guests.
Thank you for offering your home to someone in need. The generosity of people across the county in providing safety and refuge to those fleeing Russia’s war in Ukraine reflects the very best of our county.
We are working with the district councils; the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group; Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS) and other partners to support sponsors and guests through the Gloucestershire Housing Partnership.
This guidance is being issued by the Gloucestershire Housing Partnership for those who have registered as sponsors in the Homes for Ukraine Scheme in Gloucestershire.
We are still receiving updates and information from central government regarding the scheme; requirements for sponsors; and how local authorities are expected to help.
As more information becomes available, we will continue to update this guide. It should be read alongside the national guidance for sponsors.
Please read this Advice for Host Families pack produced by Barnardos and their partners. It contains more information about Ukraine culture differences and how to support someone suffering from traumatic experiences.
- I have registered as a sponsor but do not know any Ukrainian applicants
- Can I sponsor a young person or child from the Ukraine to live with me?
- I am a sponsor and have a match. What happens next?
- Should I tell the local council my guest is on their way/has arrived?
- I have a match and have put it on the system, but no one has contacted me
- What standards will my property be checked against?
- How will I know the person undertaking a Property Check is from the council?
- What happens if problems are found?
- Providing privacy and security to your guest
- When will I receive my £350 “Thank You” payment?
- What will happen during an Initial Welcome Visit?
- Who needs to be present for an Initial Welcome Visit?
- Will the person visiting speak the same language as my guest?
- What financial support is my Guest entitled to?
- How will my guest be helped to settle into life in the UK, and what can I do?
- How can I help my guest find a place in a local school?
- How to access medical care and what to do
- Press, media and social media
- Introducing your guest to your friends and neighbours, including on social media
- Why is the person visiting my home from a charity and not the council?
- What English-language training is available?
- Opening a bank account
- What should I do if I have concerns about a child or adult’s wellbeing?
- Learning a language
- Help with immigration issues, including Biometric Residence Permits
- Newsletters to sponsors
- Housing options
The Gloucestershire Housing Partnership is supporting GARAS to recruit new Resettlement Officers to help guests arriving under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. They will be able to provide dedicated and specialist help to your guest in integrating into life in the UK. However, it will take some time to recruit this team and in the meantime there are things you can do to help.
There is great advice on how hosts can support refugees in their homes available through Refugees at Home.
It is expected that sponsors will help their guests to register for schools, medical care, and benefits (see below in other sections for further information on how to do this). You can also help by showing them around your local area and showing them how to access local leisure facilities, public transport options and other facilities. Our local libraries have lots of facilities e.g. computers with internet access and other free resources you might like to explore with your guests. You can find opening times online.
It can be tempting to want to do everything for your guests: but we would encourage you to consider how you can help them to do things independently. This will ultimately help them to feel settled. They may find it useful to contact Gloucestershire’s Ukrainian diaspora community; to access culturally relevant food; or attend relevant church services.
There is also a Welcome Guide for Ukrainians available in different languages on the Government website and we will also be developing a local guide.
During this very distressing and uncertain time, children and adults will need continued support. Barnados Ukrainian Helpline provides a holistic support service, available to anyone fleeing the conflict in Ukraine -
Phone: 0800 148 8586
Email: ukrainiansupport@barnardos.org.uk
