Community
Ukraine crisis – How you can help
Thanks to the residents of Epping Forest District, donations to the Ukrainian hub in Epping have been overwhelming.
The hub is now closed for further donation and collection of items.
Instead please continue to support the humanitarian aid effort through financial contributions to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal.
Sponsor a Ukrainian person or family
You can apply to sponsor a named Ukrainian and their immediate family members through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
You can offer a spare room or separate self-contained accommodation, and you must be able to provide it for at least 6 months. The government is offering an optional ‘thank you’ payment of £350 per month to people who can accommodate one or more guests.
In addition, Essex County Council will offer a one off payment of £500 in December 2022 to all sponsors. You must have signed up for a ‘thank you’ payment to receive this.
Sponsors who have hosted for over six months can receive an extra £200 per month. This is paid for months 7 to 12.
You can find all the details on the Essex County Council and GOV.UK websites:
- Welcome to Essex: packs for sponsors – Essex County Council
- Information for sponsors welcoming a Ukrainian person or family – Essex County Council
- Homes for Ukraine scheme: frequently asked questions – GOV.UK
- Homes for Ukraine: record your interest – GOV.UK
FAQs
FAQs produced by Essex County Council:
Iнформаційні матеріали для гостей
Newsletter for sponsors
This newsletter will keep you updated on the latest information to help you as a sponsor. The link below will be updated regularly with new information.
Practical support for Ukrainian families
Since the beginning of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, the council has inspected and passed as suitable an amazing 77 homes of local residents to share with refugees.
The council has also made more than £12,000 in direct payments to refugees for day to day expenses and is continuing to issue financial support from the Civic Offices in Epping.
Help and support
If you need help and support or to claim the one-off £200 interim payment for each guest to help with living costs, contact Essex County Council:
- Call 0345 743 0430
- Email businesssupport.familyops@essex.gov.uk
Download flyer
Donate online
The most effective way you can support the Ukraine Humanitarian operation is to donate online.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is an umbrella organisation for the many registered charities delivering aid to the people forced to flee their homes.
The UK Government is match funding public donations through the DEC. One of the charities, Save the Children, is providing cash and vouchers to families to meet basic needs like food and medicines. Oxfam says donations mean they can work with organisations already working in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to help meet the needs of people who have already lost so much.
The donations hub at the Civic Offices remains open until the end of June and residents can still take items along if they are unable to make online donations.
Information and support
You can help provide food, water, shelter and healthcare to Ukranian refugees and displaced families by donating to:
Keep up to date with travel news and immigration guidance.
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice for Ukraine
- GOV.UK Guidance – Ukrainian nationals on family routes: concession to the Immigration Rules