Support for Ukraine
We understand many people want to offer some support to the people of Ukraine. We have tried to pull together some information on ways you can help.
Visit Worcestershire resettlement | Worcestershire County Council for more information and advice.
Homes for Ukraine Scheme
The Homes for Ukraine Scheme was launched on 14 March 2022, offering a lifeline to Ukrainian nationals and their families seeking safety in the UK.
The scheme enables people based in the UK to open their homes — and their lives — to a Ukrainian individual or family fleeing the war. Sponsors must meet the scheme's eligibility criteria and be able to offer suitable accommodation for at least six months from the date their guests arrive.
Since its launch, the scheme has evolved in a number of ways. Visa applications submitted after 19 February 2024 are now granted for 18 months, rather than the previous three years. Ukrainian nationals already living in the UK under the scheme may be eligible for the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE), allowing them to remain for up to a further 18 months. If this applies to you, applications for the UPE can now be submitted up to 90 days before your current permission expires.
Here in Wyre Forest, we have been proud to work alongside Worcestershire County Council and our fellow district councils to welcome Ukrainian nationals into our communities. So far, we have welcomed more than 200 Ukrainians to Wyre Forest. Over 100 people across the district have stepped forward to offer a home. We are incredibly grateful to every person who has opened their home and their heart to someone in need. Your compassion makes Wyre Forest a place to be truly proud of. We will continue to stand alongside both our guests and our hosts for as long as we are needed.
Whether you are interested in becoming a sponsor or would simply like to find out more about the scheme, please use the official GOV.UK guidance links below.
Help for Sponsors and Guests
As a council, we have an important role to play in making sure people feel supported throughout their time here. Our Homes for Ukraine team provides help across the following main areas:
- Welcoming, safeguarding and settling in
- Integration, wellbeing and housing assistance
- Reporting and data management
- Guidance and support with any questions relating to the Homes for Ukraine programme
We are also responsible for managing the monthly thank-you payments to sponsors. For the first six months, sponsors receive £350 per month in recognition of the home they are providing. From month seven onwards, Wyre Forest tops this up to £600 per month — because we believe that the commitment our hosts are making deserves to be properly acknowledged. If you have any questions about how long these payments apply to your arrangement, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the Homes for Ukraine team who will be happy to help.
For help or enquiries, please contact: Homesforukraine@wyreforestdc.gov.uk
Payments for Guests and Sponsors
Guests arriving under the Homes for Ukraine scheme are entitled to access a range of benefits and support services while in the UK. This includes a £200 interim payment for each guest to help with immediate living costs upon arrival.
To arrange payment of the £200 support grant, please contact the Homes for Ukraine team at Homesforukraine@wyreforestdc.gov.uk
Host “thank you” payments will begin once all of the following checks have been completed and recorded on the national database:
- The accommodation exists and is suitable for residential use
- A property visit has been completed and the accommodation is considered suitable for the proposed guests
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks have been completed
- The guest(s) have arrived at the accommodation and this has been confirmed by the council
- Safeguarding checks have been completed, including a visit to the guests at the accommodation, with no serious concerns identified
A GP (General Practitioner) is the doctor you would normally see for general health concerns and medical advice. We recommend registering with a GP as soon as possible after arriving in the UK.
Appointments with an NHS (National Health Service) GP are free of charge. GP surgeries are usually the first point of contact for healthcare needs. They can provide treatment for many illnesses, offer health advice, prescribe medication, and refer patients to other NHS services where necessary.
Everyone is entitled to register with a GP, and you do not need proof of address, immigration status, or identification documents to do so. In most cases, you will register with a GP surgery close to where you live.
Please refer to the link below for further information:
Access benefits and essential services
Arriving in a new country can feel overwhelming, so we have put together some helpful information to get you started. Once you have arrived in Wyre Forest, there are a few important steps we would encourage you to take as soon as possible:
- Open a bank account — having a UK bank account will make it easier to manage day-to-day finances and receive any payments you may be entitled to
- Apply for Universal Credit — if you are on a low income or not currently working, you may be eligible for Universal Credit to help with living costs
- Obtain your National Insurance Number (NIN) — your NIN is essential for working in the UK, paying taxes, and accessing a range of public services
- Driving and public transport — whether you are looking to drive in the UK or find your way around using public transport, we have pulled together some useful information to help you get about
- Your rights at work in the UK — understanding your employment rights is important, and we want to make sure you feel confident and informed in any workplace
You will find links below with guidance on how to get started with each of these.
- Get a bank account and your arrival payment: Homes for Ukraine - GOV.UK
- Apply for Universal Credit and other benefits: Homes for Ukraine - GOV.UK
- Get a national Insurance number: Homes for Ukraine - GOV.UK
- Your rights at work: Homes for Ukraine - GOV.UK
- Driving and public transport: Homes for Ukraine - GOV.UK
If you have children, we want to make sure they feel settled and supported as quickly as possible. Below you will find useful information on how to register your child at a local school, as well as guidance on applying for Child Benefit — financial support that you may be entitled to as a parent or carer living in the UK. Simply follow the links below to get started.
Education
In England, children must start full-time education once they reach school age. This can be on the 31 December, 31 March or 31 August after their fifth birthday, whichever date is directly after their birthday. They must stay in full-time education until they are 16 years old.
Information about finding a school, school attendance, school meals, term dates and how to apply for a school place in Worcestershire area can be found at Schools, education and learning | Worcestershire County Council
To contact school admission team please email: SchoolAdmissions@worcestershire.gov.uk
For more information regarding childcare and education, please refer to:
Property and DBS checks for sponsors
As the council we will complete a number of checks on the accommodation, living arrangements, along with safeguarding checks and DBS checks to determine your suitability as a sponsor. The lead sponsor will need to ask the consent of all the adults in the household to provide their details on the application form for these checks.
Shortly after the application has been submitted, the Worcestershire County Council team will be in touch with you directly to provide all the information you need regarding your DBS check and guide you through the process.
The property inspection will be arranged and carried out by our local housing team. You will be contacted by the Homes for Ukraine team to find a date and time that works best for you.
If you have not heard anything regarding either your DBS check or property inspection within a week of your guest submitting their application, please do not hesitate to contact us at the following email address: Homesforukraine@wyreforestdc.gov.uk
Financial donations for humanitarian aid
An appeal has been launched by the UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee to help the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing conflict.
Wyre Forest District Council is encouraging residents who wish to make financial donations to support the appeal.
Fifteen leading UK aid agencies - including the British Red Cross, Oxfam and Save the Children - are working together to help people who have fled Ukraine, but also those who have been displaced to other parts of the country.
All public donations will be doubled by the UK government, up to a total of £20m.
Vice-Chairman of the Council, Councillor Peter Dyke said: “We have all been shocked by the unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine, a free and democratic country. To show solidarity with the people of Ukraine, we will be flying the Ukrainian flag at our Wyre Forest House headquarters.
“Many local people want to show their support for Ukraine in practical ways. If you want to make a financial donation for humanitarian aid, I encourage you to donate to the DEC Appeal. If you are a UK taxpayer, you can also claim gift aid and the Government will add 25% to your donation. It’s easy to donate online by visiting the DEC website.
If you wish to donate to another charity then please be careful about who you give your money to. Fraudsters are trying to take advantage of people's generosity towards the people of Ukraine. The Government advises you to do the following before donating money:
- Check the name and registration of a charity on the Government's website (opens in new window).
- 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 fund raise in line with the Code of Fundraising Practice.
Offers of help (other than accommodation)
Individuals, businesses or other organisations who wish to offer help (other than accommodation) can contact Here2Help website or call 01905 768053.
Barnardo’s free helpline to support Ukrainian families
Barnardo’s has set up the Ukrainian Support Helpline to provide a holistic support service. The helpline is available to anyone fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.
Barnardo’s free helpline (0800 148 8586) is staffed by English, Ukrainian and Russian speakers, to offer support to children and families arriving in the UK from Ukraine.
The helpline is open Monday – Friday (10:00am – 8:00pm) and Saturday (10:00am – 3:00pm). Callers will be able to get help and advice on a range of topics.
A dedicated email address ukrainiansupport@barnardos.org.uk and webpage have also been set up for those assisting with the Ukraine response.
More information can be found on the Barnardo's Ukrainian Support Helpline web page.