Homes in UK for Ukrainian Refugees

A 2-page printout sheet is available for the information given in part 2. 

Please click on this link: Procedure to offer a place to stay

Last updated Tuesday May 3rd, 2022

Below is a compilation of current information and is a work in progress, updating when needed:

1. Update on the Government’s Homes for Ukraine Campaign
2. The different steps or phases if you want to offer a place to stay for a not-yet-known Ukrainian individual or family who has applied to come to the UK for refuge and how to contact charities who match your application with a similar application from a Ukrainian Refugee.  It includes information about the Welcome Hub in the Central Library.
3. Information about the Ukraine Family Scheme which allows family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK for 3 years. 
4. Where to donate funds and essential supplies in Southampton.
5. Information about bringing Ukrainian pets to the UK (updated May 2022)

6. Bringing in a personal vehicle (Just added)

Note: the Govt are planning to address the issue of Ukrainians who left their country for work, study or personal reasons and who can no longer return due the war.  It is expected that such people would be able to apply for the same 3 year visa and right to remain in the UK

1. Government’s Sponsorship Programme

The UK government has announced it is developing a new Humanitarian Sponsorship Programme that will allow an unlimited number of Ukrainian families to come to the UK.  It is called Homes for Ukraine——————————-

2. Procedure to offer a place to stay for a not-yet-known Ukrainian individual or family who has applied to come to the UK for refuge. (see print-out link above)

Phase One:  Registration with the Government “Homes for Ukraine Scheme” of your offer to provide accommodation or other support to a refugee or IDP for up to 6 months.

You would need to fill in a form at the following link below:

Homes for Ukraine (apply-to-offer-homes-for-ukraine.service.gov.uk)

Phase Two: Finding a Match.

You will receive an email from the Homes for Ukraine Scheme giving you a reference number for your application and explaining that the British Government does not provide a matching service at present and that you must apply to a Ukrainian charity such as:

https://homesforukraine.eu/. – This website is also being used by the Ukrainian refugees who would like to come to the UK so people applying both ends would then be matched by the charity.  The ideal is for you to be able to communicate with that person before accepting them.  You will always have the choice to accept or decline their offer.

There is also a local Southampton matching FB page at UK – Southampton; Connections for Ukrainian Refugees  where you can offer and also read requests from Ukrainian IDPs wishing to come and settle in the UK

If you live in the New Forest contact Alla at New Forest For Ukraine | Facebook Alla can also help with translations of English/Ukrainian

There are new FB pages being added every day that post messages from IDPs in Ukraine and enable UK hosts to respond to those which are suitable.

Examples of these are:

UK accommodation for Ukrainian refugees. | Facebook 

Ukrainians Wanting To Live In The UK Archives – Page 2 of 18 – UK Sponsors 

Helpful document: Homes-for-Ukraine–Sponsor-Toolkit_v1_FINAL 4-4-2022.pdf

Once you have found someone suitable and pass on to the third phase:

Phase Three: Applying for a Visa for them to enter the UK.

There is a single application process and the visa application form can be completed by either party. A separate form is needed for every individual seeking to come to the UK, including children. Once the application is checked by the UK authorities and approved, the person who submitted it will receive the digital visa and a permit to travel and enter the UK.  Once you and the person or people you plan to sponsor are ready to complete an application, go to the Home Office visa form here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-visa-under-the-ukraine-sponsorship-scheme

The guests could also apply at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in countries including Budapest, Hungary, Chisinau, Moldova, Warsaw, Poland, Bucharest, Romania and Paris, France if this is where they have temporarily settled. If a visa is granted, an individual is permitted to stay in the UK for up to 6 months, and then if not able to return, can apply for an extension of up to three years. Your guest will to get a Biometric Residence Permit during the first 6 months so their visa can be extended. Biometric residence permits (BRPs): What a BRP is – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Phase Four: Security and adequate accommodation checks by local Council members

Once an application is made, the local Council are informed by Foundry.  They transfer this information to the own system and several things go into play: The host is contacted to find out the travel arrangements and arrival plans, and is given the link to apply for a DBS (police check), to be done by all adults over 16 living with you in the accommodation you are offering. A date is set for a Welfare Check to check if the accommodation is suitable for needs of the guests arriving and that normal safety checks are in place, and for giving the hosts a chance to ask any questions.

If you do not hear from the local council within a couple of working days of refugees arriving, please contact your local councillor.   Further details and a list of frequently asked questions (which will be regularly updated) can be found here:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-scheme-frequently-asked-questions

 Phase Five: The Journey to the UK

Once the application is approved, it will be the responsibility of the person you are sponsoring to arrange their own travel to the UK and to your home. We hope you can assist them with their travel plans and, if possible, collect them from the airport or station. Wizz Air have offered free flights for a limited time, see WIZZ AIR CONTINUES TO SUPPORT UKRAINIAN REFUGEES.

If you have agreed with your sponsor that you will make your own way to their home, you will be eligible for a single onward journey via national rail, bus, light rail and coach, free of charge to your destination anywhere in England, Scotland and Wales. You only need to show your Ukrainian passport and your boarding pass or ticket showing arrival into the country within the last 48 hours.

More information is on the National Rail website National Rail Enquiries – Journey Planner

Phase Six: Home Visit and Financial support

Once the guests have arrived, a local Council Officer will visit your home.  They will take time to observe the situation and answer any questions the guests may have.  This would include education, health, employment and benefits.

The guest will be given an initial funding of £200 per person by the local council to help cover any immediate costs you have while you settle in.  This would not be counted as part of any other benefit scheme which you may be able to claim and will not need to be re-paid.  Once your guests have a stable income, the hosts may also ask the guest to make a reasonable contribution to any common household bills such as food or utilities if these things are being provided by the hosts.

This officer will also explain to the host about the ‘thank you payment’ of £350.00, which is limited to one payment per residential address. You will continue to receive payments for as long as you sponsor somebody and for up to 12 months. You should not charge any rent.  The hosts are not expected to use this money to provide the guest with food or any other support.

Note: If things are not working out, and you would like the guest to leave, your local council will work with the guest to find alternative accommodation.

Phase Seven: Wrap Around Support at the Welcome Hub, Central Library and the weekly support group for new arrivals and their hosts.

The SCC, along with charities or community groups are offering Community Support in Southampton and are working together to welcome new arrivals.  As soon as you start the process, visit the Welcome Hub for advice, venues to meet other new arrivals (see below) and financial and to assist refugees to interact with services such as Education, Housing Homelessness and Employment support.  The hub will provide information that can connect with local services such as DWP, help with applications and signposting to support services, including those in the community. They will also give you a Government Welcome Pack that can also be found on line at: Welcome: a guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).  This document covers all aspects of arriving and settling in the UK.

Just to let you know that the Ukrainian welcome hub timing is changing next week Monday. We will open from 10 am – 2 pm Monday to Friday. Please share this information with your contacts. We are also expecting home office staff to join us in a couple of weeks’ time to address visa and biometric issues. We will update you accordingly.

The Ukrainian Community Support Team meet every Saturday between 12-2 at the Cricketers Arms in Woolston.  All UK Hosts (or soon-to-be-hosts) and all new arrivals from Ukraine (on either Family or Sponsorship Schemes are welcome.  Food is served and there are many of activities for Children plus a chance to get any information about living in the UK.

Facebook:(11) Southampton Ukrainian Community Support Group | Facebook

Ukrainian Support Groups

The Local Hub will inform you of your local Ukrainian Support Group where hosts can meet other hosts and guests can meet other guests.  In Southampton, contact the Southampton Ukrainian Support Group on Southampton Ukrainian Community Support Group | Facebook and in the New Forest visit Alla Yeates who oversees the New Forest Homes for Ukraine: Alla Amanjot Yeates | Facebook.

Groups and Charities supporting the Ukrainian Homes for Ukraine Scheme in Southampton

Citizens Advice

CLEAR (EU Welcome)

Southampton Ukrainian Community Support (Mel)

Southampton Voluntary Services (Rob Kurn)

Love Southampton (Paul Woodman)

Hope Now (Vic Jackopson)

Central Baptist Church (food/clothing)

BabyNecessities (Sophie May)

New Forest for Ukraine (Alla Yeates)

3. The Ukraine Family Scheme

Note: It is important to know that this Family Scheme does not provide the same level of support as the Homes for Ukraine Scheme (no Thank you gift of £350.00).  It is important that you inform the local council if you are expecting a family member to arrive as they will not be given this information from the Government.  You may want to seriously consider going by the Homes for Ukraine Scheme and becoming a host instead.

This scheme allows family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK for 3 years. 

Criteria: Ukrainians who have an immediate or extended family member in the UK can apply for a family visa to join them.  The family member in the UK must have one of the following: