Support for Ukrainian families
If you have recently arrived in the UK, take a look at our welcome packs. They are available in Ukrainian and Russian. The welcome packs have been designed to support you as you adapt to life in Kingston, and include lots of information about healthcare, education and local services.
This webpage will also be updated with new guidance and support for you.
Events
You can meet and connect for free with other guests and hosts from Ukraine who are in Kingston at The Hub, 38 Surbiton Rd, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2JR. These sessions run weekly on Mondays from 6pm to 8pm, as well as every second and fourth Thursday of the month, also from 6pm to 8pm.
We also hold a Welcome Coffee morning every other Friday from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm at Surbiton New Life Baptist Church, 6 Langley Road, Surbiton, KT6 6LN.
Support available from the government
The government has support and advice pages and services for:
- British nationals who need assistance in the Ukraine
- British nationals concerned about Ukrainian family members
If you are arriving in the UK through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, you can read the government's fact sheet in English, Ukrainian and Russian on their website.
The Home Office has set up a bespoke helpline for customers needing assistance, who can contact UK Visas & Immigration on 0808 164 8810.
Then select from the following options:
- Option 1 - Family Scheme
- Option 2 - HfU (Ukraine national/Ukraine national family member)
- Option 3 - HfU (In UK and sponsoring a Ukraine national or Ukraine national family member)
- Option 4 - HfU (Charity or organisation and sponsoring a Ukraine national or Ukraine national family member).
The helpline desk is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calls are free of charge. If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers, you can phone 0175 390 7510 (see options noted above). The helpline desk is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Immigration information for Ukrainians in the UK
The Home Office has published new immigration information about the next steps Ukrainians need to take after arriving in the UK. This includes information about what Ukrainians need to do to confirm their immigration status, and how to demonstrate their status to access work, and the benefits and services they are entitled to.
Translated versions will be available in Ukrainian and Russian shortly.
Health and wellbeing
Healthcare in the UK is provided by the National Health Service, known as the NHS. Take a look at the below leaflets on "How the NHS Works" to learn more
The NHS have created advice on how to stay up to date with your routine vaccinations. This is available in Ukrainian and Russian:
If you are a parent,and you are worried about your child, you can read this guidance on supporting your children through trauma, in Ukrainian.
Regularising a child’s immigration status if they are born in the UK
Find out how you can regularise your child’s immigration status in the UK through the Ukraine Extension Scheme on the Government website.
Red Cross information and support for Ukrainians in the UK
The Red Cross have put together support documents for Ukrainians arriving in the UK. These include safety tips and advice on arriving in the UK, in English and in Ukrainian.
This includes:
- An information pack in English, Russian and Ukrainian
- Support to find missing family still in Ukraine. Email findyour_family@redcross.org.uk, and the Red Cross will be able to help you.
Education
The Open Futures Sanctuary Scholarship, launching for the first time in the academic year 2022/23, will provide the opportunity for new, UK-resident students who have been displaced from their homeland or place of residence for political, economic, ethnic, environmental, or human rights pressures, to study for free.
For the application process for the 2022/23 academic year and further information and support visit the Open University website
The Open University has also created an OpenLearn offer for refugees and migrants for free of charge digital learning including functional skills for English and Maths as well as skills for work and life.
Other educational resources:
Other support available for Ukrainians
There are a number of support services and community organisations able to provide support to Ukrainians in the UK.
- The EERC provides information, advice and support to people from Eastern European countries
- TheRomanian and Eastern European Hub is providing free support for Ukrainian refugees and their families in the UK
- The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain supports Ukrainians in the UK
- Barnardos have set up a helpline for Ukrainian families, which includes access to an interpretor. They can help get you access to a psychiatrist, advise on a wide range of issues (such as housing and health care) and provide practical support. Find out more about Barnardos or call them on 0800 148 8586.
- If you are worried about money, the Independent Food Aid Network have produced a useful leaflet available at www.worryingaboutmoney.co.uk/kingston
- You can find out how to learn English in Kingston
- RBK School admissions - summary guide for Ukraine nationals
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format please email us at webmaster@kingston.gov.uk and let us know what format you need the document to be provided and we will try to meet your request.