Training Opportunities

SAFEGUARDING TRAINING

The Welsh Government recommends everyone involved, in any regard, with volunteering to support Ukrainian Refugees should complete the Social Care Wales Group A Safeguarding e-learning course. This has just been made public and is accessible for all.

 

TRAUMA AWARENESS

A 30 minute training video to help you and your church understand more about trauma in refugees, what causes it and how it might be expressed.

 

CARING FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS

A 30 minute training video helping you to consider the effects of compassion fatigue or vicarious trauma on your and your church volunteers working with refugees, how you can be aware of this and how you can care for your volunteers.

 

Accommodating Refugees

It is a huge commitment offering to share your home for six months or more. We would encourage you to talk through your offer with your family and explore all the various impacts it will have on the whole family. If you are a member of a church, we would suggest you talk it through with your Vicar/Pastor. It’s all about sharing the emotional burden and being thoroughly prepared.

 

WELSH GOVERNMENT SPONSOR GUIDELINES

These Guidelines outline in detail the process of becoming a sponsor/host and what happens and what you need to expect in terms of the various checks required.

Your Local Authority has been given Guidelnes from the Welsh Government - it useful to know what your Local Government is offering in terms of wrap-around care for your Ukrainian guests.

 

STEP ONE

YOU WILL NEED TO FIND A WAY TO BE MATCHED WITH A UKRAINIAN INDIVIDUAL/FAMILY.

1.    Make your pledge to be a sponsor here.

2.    Register your interest on the government website.

3.    Direct Ukrainian refugees to RESET's site to register.

Here is a tool which does exactly what we need. It matches “looking for” with “offering”. Offering refugees a safe place to stay.

4. Home for Ukraine .gov scheme

The scheme opened on 18 March for visa applications from those who wish to come to the UK from Ukraine and who have named people in the UK willing to sponsor them. Either the prospective sponsor or the person wishing to be sponsored is able to complete the application. There is one single application for both parties but one form is required per individual travelling under the scheme.

Please note that a separate form must be completed for each person wishing to be sponsored. So for example, if a sponsor wishes to apply for a mother and a child, then two application forms are required albeit with the same sponsor. Or if a Ukranian couple wish to apply they both complete separate forms.

Click here for details

Click here for on-line application

 

STEP TWO

GETTING READY | MAKING PREPARATIONS

When a Visa application is accepted your Local Authority will be in touch either before, or after, your Ukrainian guests have arrived. They will then arrange for an appropriate DBS, if necessary, for you.

However, as part of your preparation, looking into Safeguarding Training would be valuable.

SAFEGUARDING TRAINING

The Welsh Government recommends everyone involved, in any regard, with volunteering to support Ukrainian Refugees should complete the Social Care Wales Group A Safeguarding e-learning course. This has just been made public and is accessible for all.

RESOURCES TO HELP TO HELP YOU AND YOUR UKRAINIAN GUESTS PREPARE

Red Cross have detailed guidelines.

Downloads:

Advice for Ukrainians arriving in the UK (English)

Інформація для громадян України, які прибувають до Великобританії
(Ukrainian)

Excellent resources from The European Freedom Network.

Guidance on Mental Health Support in Ukrainian from The Inter-Agency Standing Committee.

On our Resources page are some useful resources for trauma awareness and cultural understanding.

The RefAid mobile app shows migrants, refugees and those who help them. Showing services near them on a map with a very simple interface. A web-based content management and communication system allows trusted aid organisations to manage and update their services and to get their critical aid to where it is most urgently needed.

 

STEP THREE

Explore the support network in your community/area. Your community appreciates the extraordinary generosity you are extending and they want to support you.

There may be a Local Community Welcome and Support Hub in your area. On this website we will be including resources and people who can help you - interpreters, counsellors, transport, form filling, social and cultural events etc. We are even hoping to have opportunities for you and your family to have a break in holiday accommodation being offered.

The key is to get ready in advance and know how to access all the requirements you and your guests will have. You will discover some useful discussions on our resources page.

We are running Training Events - keep an eye on our News Blog and the resources we post afterwards

 

STEP FOUR

Arranging transport for your guests. The chances are you will need to help your Ukrainian guests travel to Wales. This may be booking flights, trains etc. Once in Wales public transport is free. It is worth seeing if there is any funding help for the travel costs.

 

UK Host Form

ALTERNATIVE MATCHING OPPORTUNITY VIA HOSTS4UKRAINE

A POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY TO LINK UKRAINIAN REFUGEES WITH UK HOST HOMES

A mission working on the borders of Ukraine has been in touch with us to see if we can offer appropriate host homes. We will endeavour to work closely with this Mission Organisation and let’s see if we can make it happen.

As soon as we can make a match the following process takes place:

The Ukrainian(s) will need to share the following information, so that you as host can complete the UK Government application for a Visa.

Please note that a separate form must be completed for each person wishing to be sponsored. So for example, if a a mother and a child are coming, then two application forms are required albeit with the same host/sponsor. Or if a Ukranian couple wish to apply they both complete separate forms.

Click here for details

Click here for on-line application

As separate application has to be made for each person, you will need the information below for each person -family member.

REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR THE VISA APPLICATION:

  • Applicant's full name:

  • Date of birth:

  • Country of birth:

  • Nationality:

  • Passport / Travel document number

The information below is from the Visa Application form - however what you actually need is good scans or photos of the passport, Ukraine ID card (to show their Ukraine address). The photos/scans need to be clear and with all 4 corners of the pages. The passport page is the page with the photograph and personal information.

Passport or travel document must be valid, be in good condition, and have at least one blank page for the visa.

If they have evidence of travel history in a different passport, they may want to submit that with the application.

An application may be refused if a passport is not provided. You may also be asked to provide more documents at a later date.

A copy of the passport or bio data page of their Ukrainian family member's passport or travel document (if they are not Ukrainian)

Evidence that they were living in Ukraine before 1 January 2022

If a child, a birth certificate is required.

 

TALK TO TIM ON HOW TO ADD SAME FORM HERE.

 

Host Homes

If you would like to offer your home, we would be love to add it to our page.

Do have a look at our information on accommodating Ukrainians and then if you wish to go ahead, please register first with HomesforUkraine and then complete the form below.

You also may find it useful to have a look at Ukrainians looking for host homes via the Host4Ukraine platform.

 

1.

"We are in a village 10 mins from Wrexham. It is quiet but there is a regular bus into Wrexham. We can offer a large room overlooking our garden with their own toilet and sink and own kitchen facilities. They will have their own front door and would just need to share our shower other than that they can be independent. We have two young children so they will need to like kids! We would like to offer to one woman. We want to welcome them and be as supportive as we can be but we are both working so we are looking for someone who wants to be independent. No smoking. "

2.

"In March together with my wife We offered accommodation to host a refugee near Holyhead on the UK Gov website. We leave for Australia in November and time is running out for us to to commit to 6 months accommodation. (Unless of course the placement is sufficiently successful that we could leave the person(s) house sitting.) We have also volunteered to help set up a Hub in Holyhead for refugees. and an appropriate placing may be a fantastic opportunity for our guests to assist with the hub. How fantastic would that be!!!

3.

Matched

4.

One Double bedroom with shared facilities. Preferably older adults 30 + but am fairly flexible - I am retired and my husband is retiring shortly. We can't take dogs but may consider a cat. We have a choice of 2 rooms both with either a Double or King size bed- one in the attic which has more space but no central heating and one on the first floor. We want to keep one room spare in case we have overnight visitors. We only speak English.

5.

We have a double and a single room available and are happy to have adult(s) plus child/children, and if necessary pets

6.

One large attic room with double bed. Access by spiral staircase. One bedroom on first floor with a comfortable bed setee suitable for 1 person. I have a cot which I can put up in the first floor room. Also 2 matresses in attic room, suitable for children. Between 2 and 4 people intitially. Preferably a family, possibly a couple. This could be flexible, but the access to my attic would be difficult for toddlers or older people I think.

7.

One double/ twin room, there are stairs, no pets or children in the house.

8.

I live here with my wife. We are retired doctors in our mid-60s in good health. We have 4 spare bedrooms, 2 double and 2 single. The house is on three floors with a bathroom on each floor. Very happy to have a family or two mothers and two/three children.

9.

Matched

10.

I live alone with my 13 year old daughter (my eldest is at University). We have a dog, two cats and 5 hens. There is a large bedroom and en-suite shower and toilet , plus a small kitchenette area - this is separate to the house - there is a small step up to the property. Ideally would like to host a mother and daughter (under 13 ) and perhaps an grandparent or sibling. I just need advice on the regulations as there is technically one large bedroom area. 2-3 people

11.

2 single rooms in Hackey London, suitable for 2 young adults (aged 20’s - 30’s)

12.

A vacant 2 bedroom cottage with its own garden. A kitchen. Bathroom and utility room. A family. Remembering there are only 2 bedrooms.

13.

I have registered our cottage in Bethel, Caernarfon with the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ website. It is attached to our home but with completely separate with a double bedroom with en suite, and a kitchen/diner/lounge, and also a separate garden. It’s small but would be ideal for a mother and child, or even mother, child and baby in a cot.

14.

rivite i laskavo prosimo! We live an old property with a large garden and surrounded by beautiful countryside. We have a spare double bedroom with en-suite bathroom suitable for a mother and child (please note that we do have an open staircase, so not suitable for a very young child or toddler). You would have full access to our kitchen, and we have two living rooms, so you would have the choice of your own quiet space, or join in with our normal family life when you’re ready and have settled in. Our location would suit anyone with a love of the outdoors - forests, castles, lakes and mountains. We have a village shop and primary school within 2 minutes’ walk. The local secondary school is 9 miles away and local children are collected from and dropped off each day outside the local shop by a private local authority bus. We have a regular public bus and train service to the village connecting us with local towns for shopping and employment. One of the main forms of employment in this area is tourism and hospitality and there is always work available in those sectors. We are a very close-knit community, and I am aware of others in our village who are also looking to provide a home for people fleeing the war in Ukraine. There is therefore the opportunity for a few families or individuals to move to our village. Once that happens, we have a small village hall and will arrange for a weekly dinner for our Ukrainian guests and us as hosts to meet up and get to know each other, to keep you in contact with other Ukrainians and to help you integrate into our kind and welcoming community.

Accommodation advert_30 March 2022.pdf

15.

Llandudno North Wales. 1 x twin/double room with shared use of whole house. Steep stairs. Currently house has 1 72 yr man, 1 x 20yr man and female host. In town so close to all amenities.

16.

Matched

 

ASK TIM HOW TO ADD SAME HOST FORM HERE!

 

Preparing to Host

THE SANCTUARY COURSE

AN INTRODUCTION TO REFUGEE SAFETY, WELLBEING AND SUPPORT

This course is designed to be followed online in your own time. Each lesson will take you around 20 minutes and includes video segments and interactive elements to aid learning. A certificate will be issued to all who complete the course.

"This Sanctuary Course is free, accessible and practical, full of really good advice from a whole team of experts. It has really helped me grow in confidence and awareness of issues facing refugees."

 

WEBINAR 11 MAY 2022

Practical help for teachers, hosts, parents and volunteers working with Ukrainian refugee children in the UK

 

RESET

In this video RESET have shared some of their thoughts on key things that would be helpful to know as part of preparing to host

 

LEARNING FROM THE SPONSORS

RESET CEO Kate, on the Homes for Ukraine programme, shares what they're learning from speaking to sponsors who are getting involved with Homes for Ukraine.

 

TOOLKIT

Downloads and information to help think through the preparations for Ukrainians arriving in your home

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

Some useful ideas to think through how best to build a relationship with your Ukrainian guests

 

IDEAS FOR SETTING UP AN AGREEMENT

These may feel a bit formal but they can form the basis of a working agreement to share your home. There are versions in Ukrainian

 

MESSAGE FROM OKASANA

Oksana who is Ukrainian, shares about Ukrainian culture, the things that are important to Ukrainians and some very helpful advice and information on welcoming Ukrainians.