Resettlement and Refugees

Support for Ukraine

As the devastation in Ukraine continues to dominate the news, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine. We stand ready to respond and to offer our support. We will be raising the Ukrainian flag at Elizabeth House in Stratford-on-Avon at Leamington Spa Town Hall, as a mark of our support and our sympathy for the families and friends of those involved in this unnecessary war.

Read the full joint statement from the Chairman of Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Warwick District Council.

Pledge of assistance for Ukrainians

You may be aware local government, at both the County and District level, have been instrumental in sourcing accommodation, providing support, identifying schools, securing a variety of healthcare interventions and many other measures, for both Afghan, Syrian and other UK Resettlement Scheme participants. We are working closely with District, Borough and County colleagues to co-ordinate a response to support arrivals from Ukraine.

Homes for Ukraine

If you want to offer a home to people fleeing Ukraine, you can become a sponsor as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Further guidance is available under Homes for Ukraine FAQ . Warwickshire County Council has information for Ukrainian guests, their hosts (sponsors) and residents and a Welcome to Warwickshire pack, all of which is available translated.

Arrival

Property visits

An officer from the district council will visit sponsor accommodation to carry out a basic check of the suitability for the arriving refugees. Accommodation should be safe, warm and provide adequate access to bathroom and kitchen facilities; no rent should be charged, and it should be offered for at least six months.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks

Warwickshire County Council will contact sponsors directly to arrange a DBS check. Please visit information for sponsors for further information. The property inspection or the DBS check will not necessarily delay the progress of visa applications as the visa is not dependent on the property inspection. Once the visa is granted, the refugees are free to travel to join their sponsor.

Payments

Warwickshire County Council arrange all payments for guests and sponsors. Please visit information for sponsors for further information.

Housing support and advice

Sponsors and Guests can access housing support and advice from p.h.i.l Homes For Ukraine Housing Options Service, a collaborative service provided by Warwickshire County Council, District and Borough Councils. Please email UkarinePHIL@Warwickshire.gov.uk.

Resources for matching sponsors with families

• Reset Communities and Refugees - A national charity commissioned by the UK Government to help register and match refugees from Ukraine with sponsors from across the UK (matching and re-matching)
• Hand in Hand - A Coventry-based community organisation that matches UK sponsors and Ukrainian guests (matching and re-matching)
• OPORA - A national charitable organisation that provides both emergency and practical support to Ukrainians and their families who are looking to rebuild their lives in safety, having fled the war. In the UK they operate an online platform for Ukrainian guests and UK sponsors looking to match for the Homes to Ukraine Scheme.

UK family scheme

There is UK Family Scheme which is designed to enable Ukrainian applicants to join their family members in the UK. For more, see Apply for a Ukraine family scheme visa

Information for residents

There are a number of ways for residents to support those affected by the conflict in Ukraine, details of some organisations supplying humanitarian aid are listed in Warwickshire County Council website Information for Residents .

Government Support and advice

Ukraine and the UK the latest information from GOV.UK the latest information from GOV.UK

UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals - Guidance on support available to Ukrainian nationals and their family members.

'Homes for Ukraine' scheme

Please contact ukraine@warwickshire.gov.uk or the helpline on 0800 408 1447 for any further information.

Resettlement schemes

Stratford-on-Avon District Council works alongside Warwickshire County Council, public health and community groups to prepare for a safe and smooth integration for those resettling here.

Afghan Citizens and Refugees

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has pledged to secure homes for families from Afghanistan in the local area. This supports the announcement by the Home Office on 1 September 2021 that Afghan refugees and citizens coming to the UK through resettlement routes (including Afghans who worked closely with the British military and UK Government in Afghanistan) will receive immediate indefinite leave to remain.

UK Resettlement Scheme

The UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) is a global refugee resettlement scheme, where the UK Government will continue to offer a safe and legal route to vulnerable refugees in need of protection. Stratford-on-Avon District Council has pledged to secure homes for families arriving into the UK through the UKRS scheme. Families have predominantly arrived from Syria into the district to date.

Accommodation

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has been working to identify accommodation for families arriving under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP), Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) and UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) and is encouraging local landlords to get in touch if they have a property to let for these schemes. Local landlords with a self-contained property can contact the council at socialinclusion@stratford-dc.gov.uk for further information.

Community Support

Stratford Welcome Here is a local charity who's focus is welcoming and supporting refugees arriving to reside in Stratford-upon-Avon and the surrounding area. Welcome Here is continuing to help families arriving through the Afghan and the UK Resettlement schemes.