Hosting Refugees from the war in Ukraine.

New hosts, we can put you in touch with other hosts and can support you in your hosting role with practical advice.

Looking to join the Homes for Ukraine scheme? We are here for you when you have registered.

How we can help at this stage:

We are able to help sponsors with general advice about accessing services and support for community integration. Check our Practical advice pages for the most recent information.

We are able to provide information about the Homes for Ukraine Scheme and link you into Dorset Together, Ukraine Response, the network of support co-ordinated by Dorset Council. ukraineresponse@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

We aim to work together with sponsors to provide a warm and supportive welcome and stay for people coming to our local area.

To register to be a host use this link.

Homes for Ukraine: UK government sponsor guidance is the key reference for sponsors, find it here

We also find the following additional links especially helpful

Reset Communities and Refugees The UK commissioned service for matching sponsors with refugees from Ukraine. See their matching service here. Reset also provide a support pack for hosts here.

Sanctuary Foundation The Sanctuary Foundation provide a very helpful introduction to refugee safety, well being and support, The Sanctuary Course.

Welcome, a Government Guide for Ukrainian Refugees Arriving in the UK A comprehensive guide to living in the UK with Ukrainian and Russian language versions.

Week one guidance for Ukrainians arriving in the UK. A briefer version of the above UK government guide with the steps that refugees would need to take, supported by their host.

Immigration Information for Ukrainians: next steps after arriving in the UK (accessible version) provides guidance on how to move on from ‘6 month stamps’ and ‘entry clearance vignettes’ which are temporary evidence of right to stay to Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs).

Resources to help support children and young people arriving from Ukraine produced by the UK Department for Education is here

Dorset Council welcome guide. A useful welcome and information sheet for those arriving from Ukraine. There is an English version and a version in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish.

Wiltshire key advice for refugees. A thorough guide that takes you step by step through the key processes needed to access services such as banking, universal credit etc. Available on the WCC website here

Ukrainians Welcome A very well organised website from a collaboration between charities with translation into Ukrainian and Russian across the site. Covers the range of services and support available.

Settled is an organisation for immigration advice and support for Ukrainians in the UK https://settled.org.uk/ukraine/ 

Vita Network produce a very helpful host pack. They also have advice on support for mental health. See our page on well-being.

No Accommodation produce a very thoughtful general guide to hosting.

#HelpAndKindness A project for Dorset that helps people find local support when they need it, and find places where they can offer help, when they are able. Services are mapped at a local level. This is also the 'go to website’ if you want to search for any local and County wide services.

Citizens Advice A wonderful charity with a long history of advocacy for those accessing government services like Universal Credit. The best advice for understanding your rights.

Universal Credit A guide for accessing Universal Credit produced by the Government.

There are Job Centres located locally in Frome, Yeovil, Salisbury and Blandford.

Learning English: English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) courses are provided by Learning and Skills, Adult Community Education. Information about the current ESOL classes across the County can be found here.

Mobile Networks Vodafone provide a scheme for free phones, SIMS and data. Details of their support are here. Three have a similar scheme and their details are here.

Health Services This infographic in Ukrainian explains the services available.

Supporting Afghan Families

A large number of families have been displaced to Dorset but their well being and ability to thrive in our community depend upon support for work, housing and settlement. The government aim to help people who have come to the UK from Afghanistan is still very much current and can be found here.

Housing in particular is an important need and requires a separate application from the Homes for Ukraine Scheme but provides homes for displaced people already in temporary accommodation in Dorset.

Supporting Syrian Families

We continue our work with resettled families who were forced from their homes by the Syrian Civil War. Read about their experience here and their successful enterprises here.