News from: Reading Borough Council
In Reading we stand together with the people of Ukraine, whose lives are being affected by this terrible war. We are a compassionate community and there will be many who will be willing and able to provide suitable accommodation, whether that is a spare room in your own home or an unoccupied self-contained residential building.
As a council, we are working with national and local partners to ensure comprehensive support is in place for local sponsors and the Ukrainian refugees they’ll be welcoming to Reading.
Homes for Ukraine Scheme: The Government has opened the visa application process for its ‘Homes for Ukraine’ refugee support scheme, which allows residents to request to sponsor and offer accommodation to a named Ukrainian individual or family seeking safe refuge in the UK.
If you know a refugee individual or family you wish to sponsor, and are able to provide suitable accommodation for at least six months, then please visit the Government website for more information about ‘Homes for Ukraine’ and to apply.
If you need help to get family to the UK from Ukraine: To find information about the Ukrainian Family Scheme Visa, see the Home Office website, or call the Home Office Helpline: 08081 648810. Calls are free.
The Ukrainian Advice Project offers free immigration and asylum advice to those fleeing Ukraine.
If you need help to extend your visa: Find information from the Home Office about claiming asylum in the UK. For those with existing visas/leave to remain in the UK requiring further advice, call the Home Office helpline on 08081 648810. Calls are free.
How you can help: Reading Mayor Councillor Rachel Eden has launched an appeal for financial donations to the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre to help them support people caught up in the conflict.
Following direct discussions with representatives of the Community Centre we’re asking residents to support the centre with financial donations to help with the costs of sending aid to Ukraine and to prepare them for the arrival of Ukrainian refugees in Reading. The money raised in the Mayoral Appeal will go directly to the Community Centre to enable it to support fellow Ukrainians in any way it can.
People are being invited to give what they can safely and securely at a webpage which has been specially set up for the Mayoral Appeal at http://www.reading.gov.uk/mayorsappeal.
The Disasters Emergency Committee has urged people to donate money rather than goods if they can to help those affected by the conflict. The following are considered reputable charities:
Disasters Emergency Committee has launched a Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal to support DEC charities and their local partners in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries to help provide food, water, shelter and medical assistance. The UK Government will match pound-for-pound up to £20 million donated by the public to this appeal.
International Rescue Committee is raising funds to help provide medical care, emergency food and other critical aid to families affected by conflict. They are working with local partners in Poland and Ukraine, to quickly mobilise resources that will provide lifesaving support to people forced to flee their homes.
British Red Cross is calling for donations to the Disaster Emergency Committee appeal in support of humanitarian aid charities. Currently, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross, together with fellow Red Cross National Societies in border countries, are working to get vital help to those impacted by this crisis.