Skip to main content

Ukraine

The Ukraine Crisis

HBTSR has joined in with thousands of other groups and individuals to address the immense humanitarian crisis engulfing the people of Ukraine since Russian forces invaded their country in force on 24 February 2022. We have collected money and goods, sent consignments to Ukraine, urged our political representatives and the UK government to assist, receive and resettle refugees from the war, and are working with the Welsh Government, Powys County Council and other organisations and individuals in the reception of Ukrainian refugees.
HBTSR remains committed to continuing to support all people seeking sanctuary in South Wales no matter where they are from or how they arrived.

Welcome information  for arriving Ukrainian refugees and their hosts

HBTSR has produced  Welcome  information that we hope will be useful to arriving Ukrainian refugees and their hosts.

Brief summary  here

You can download this  in English here.

HBTSR підготував Welcome Pack з інформацією, корисною для українських біженців та їхніх приймаючих осіб.

Завантажити Пакет українською можна тут.

English Government welcome information here

T his site is also helpful    https://ukrainianswelcome.org/

We have a drop in session every Thursday morning [ (.30-11.30] in Llangorse hall where people can be assured of a warm welcome and a hot drink and can meet compatriots and practice English conversation.

 There is also a drop in at Crickhowell Scouts hut on Thursday Mornings  10-12.

HBTSR has access to some Money raised to help people from Ukraine to settle in south Powys. Please Contact Leanne Bowler for details .    [email protected]

 there is a very useful website which can be shared with both Ukrainians and those welcoming them: https://thriveldn.co.uk/resources/supporting-wellbeing-of-displaced-ukrainians

Facebook Page:
‘Powys – Ukrainian refugee host support Group’
This is a private group for Powys residents who have registered with the UK Government, Welsh Government or Powys County Council to host Ukrainian nations. It has been set up with access to Councillors, the voluntary sector and professionals who are able to offer support. The aim  is to provide a safe environment to share experiences and seek help and guidance.

Free to attend daily trauma and resilience meetings online for Ukrainian citizens to give them the opportunity to chat to people experiencing the same things. The sessions are 45 minutes long. The website is https://saneukraineonline.org/sane-ukraine-online/

  There is a Helpline for Homes for Ukraine Sponsors.  Sponsors in Wales can call the free helpline on 0808 175 1508 for advice from 8am to 8pm.  Ukrainian nationals and their families who need help and advice can call 0808 164 8810, if they are in the UK or +44 808 164 8810 if they are outside the UK.

For help with benefits, if required, you or your guests can access support from Powys CAB, and also  contact their Help To Claim service on 0800 024 1220.  Callers will speak to an adviser trained in assisting  people to start  their Universal Credit claim.   The adviser can conference call with translation services too. More Information here

  •    Whilst awaiting benefits we can make referrals to the foodbank  for essentials so please contact us on [email protected] if that would help

*       If there are children of school age, you/your guests can access this school link with advice for sponsors: https://sites.google.com/hwbcymru.net/powys-eal-refugee-support/home

*       The family will be able to register with the local GP.  GP’s are aware of Ukrainian arrivals and will carry out an ‘enhanced’ screening check and also provide information about any necessary vaccinations,    including Covid 19.

For dental care – access to services are through the usual routes. Urgent  help  will need to be directed to 111

  • For routine access – contact the PTHB Dental Helpline on either of these two numbers:  01686252808 /  01597828815.

*       If the family wish to have help with their English, please contact any Neath Port Talbot College in Powys or Adult Learning Wales and they will be eligible for free ESOL classes.

This App [SayHi]  may be easier to use than Google translate…https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/sayhi-translate/id437818260

*       You could also contact PAVO (Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations) who may be able to direct you to additional services to support for the family, including links to community mental health services and Community Connectors.

 

 

2 schemes have been announced by Welsh government to help refugees and people from Ukraine integrate into Wales.
1 A new Welcome Ticket will provide free bus travel covering the majority of bus services running in Wales and into England where the journey starts or finishes in Wales. This is a pilot scheme that will run until 30/9/22.
2 Cadw have announced their scheme to offer free individual or family entry to all Cadw sites  Further information:
https://gov.wales/new-schemes-help-refugees-and-people-ukraine-integrate-wales?fbclid=IwAR33-tnr613WKiMnHjU9dO3yQaGDyXLzaElMzWsuh7X_GM2__RpisQsD6eA

The Choir of the Earth (online worldwide virtual choir) is learning a Ukrainian Folk Song – The Bunny Walks – which the famous childrens’ choir of Kyiv were going to take on a worldwide tour before they had to sadly disband. The Choir of the Earth will record this individually, it will then be mixed by their engineers and performed as a live concert on U Tube on Wednesday 15th June. https://youtu.be/nau6lSZrlKk

Possible source of help at Welsh Refugee Council
Powys Libraries
 Are keen to help

 Please draw Ukrainian Library members  attention to this free app which provides access to eBooks and eAudio in Ukrainian.

Thousands of free eBooks and audiobooks

In order to provide Ukrainians with a range of free reading, listening, learning and entertainment opportunities, multimedia content provider Odilo  launched a free app for both Android and iOS in early April.

Available across Europe, the app includes 3000 e-books and audiobooks in a variety of genres, including 1,700 Ukrainian titles and 500 in English. There is material for both children and adults. Kraal: ‘We hope that everyone – from social workers to host families – will draw the attention of the refugees to this app. To offer them the support, pleasure or comfort of reading, learning and listening in these difficult and uncertain times.”
Links to the app:

Collecting goods (material aid)

We and other groups were overwhelmed initially by the generosity of thousands of families, schools, churches and others who collected and donated clothing and many other items for Ukraine. We were able to ship some of these to Poland. However, the cost and difficulty of transport are immense, and the agencies we work with have great difficulty storing the huge volumes of donated goods. We are not currently collecting more material aid, especially clothes.
Where we identify need for specific items we will ask for them in our email newsletters or on Facebook. Cash donations and collections, however, are always welcome and will be used to help.

Practical help for arriving refugees

We may need help with welcome and support and languages groups. Please contact the relevant person on the list below to let us know what you can do. Hosting is important but ensuring we support hosts and guests is essential.

Offers of help please to:
Accommodation: Rowland Jepson [email protected]
Clothing , other small items  and Teaching group: Sue Richards  [email protected]
Larger items: Adil Gatrad [email protected]
Welcome packs:  Margaret Blake [email protected]
Language support: Mac McCarthy  Val  [email protected]
Pastoral and well-being support: Janet Bodily  [email protected]
Phones & IT equipment  and education: Bethany Hill  [email protected]
Arts and culture including books, games: Claire Armstrong [email protected]
Sport and social activities: Melrose  East [email protected]
Press & publicity: Ailsa Dunn [email protected]
Information for refugees: Mike Gatehouse  [email protected]
Transport: John Anderson[email protected]
Food: Lis Lifford  [email protected]
Benefits and advice:  Jonnie Hill [email protected]

 

A reminder from HBTSR’s Well-being group:

Who:  Members of HBTSR are a friendly, welcoming group of volunteers who are happy to offer help and/or support alongside other Agencies

How: To reach out, be available and approachable to displaced individuals and families as well as potential host families

Why: We’re all human beings with a shared humanity endeavouring to care for each other

What: Practical and emotional support, through encouragement and empowerment

We will try to do our best  in all circumstances but are all  volunteers also coping with everything else that life throws at us.

 

All images are taken by HBTSR or from websites pertaining to venues and we have verbal consent from all persons portrayed in photos