 The community welcome for Ukrainians arriving in East Sussex is wonderful to see.
As hosts, you're a major part of that warm welcome. And so are resident Ukrainians like Krysta Rafalska (pictured above) who recorded a welcome video message for us to share with all our arriving guests.
Krysta's welcome in Ukrainian
Krysta's welcome in English
This newsletter is one way we try to keep you updated with latest news and support for Homes for Ukraine in East Sussex. (If you'd rather not receive it you can unsubscribe at any time).
Below you'll see updates on:
- Payments for guests - by cash, cheque or bank transfer
- Things we need you to tell us before payments
- Details of some of the community support groups around the county
- Our 'listening' programme to understand services you and your guests will need
- How to contact us if you have further questions
Most of our guests, at least 350, who have arrived in East Sussex have now received the £200 welcome payment for each person on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
If not, they can request the payment by cash, cheque or transfer to a UK bank account. Please note, you must complete our household form before they can receive payment.
To request the payment in cash, contact the local voluntary association:
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In Eastbourne, Lewes or Wealden - phone 01323 639373
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In Hastings - phone 01424 444010
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In Rother - phone 01424 217259 or 07871 603235
To request payment by bank transfer (or cheque), please email ukraine@eastsussex.gov.uk
Cheques will be sent by post in 5-7 working days and can be cashed at any branch of NatWest bank.
It's vital you give us some basic details about your household and let us know when your guests arrive. This allows us to make checks and arrange payments.
All hosts should complete our form straight away to tell us about everyone over 16 in the household. Once your guests arrive, please use the form again to let us know this.
We know that hosting may present challenges you did not expect. Wherever we can, we'll try to help and direct you to information and support to ensure the sponsorship match is successful.
If there are issues that can’t be resolved, we need to ensure re-matching is an option and the right outcome for you and your guests, and that any new arrangements are eligible for support.
To let us know about any concerns, please email: ukraine@eastsussex.gov.uk
 Support groups for hosts and guests have sprung up across East Sussex and doing are great work to connect and help each other.
You may already be plugged into your local community groups, but we've listed some of them below:
The East Sussex branch of the Association of Ukraine in Great Britain:
Association of Ukrainians in Britain East Sussex Branch (being formed) | Facebook
East Sussex High Weald Ukraine support network https://www.facebook.com/groups/837766874286129
East Sussex for Ukraine
https://www.facebook.com/groups/379536473702993
Sussex Ukrainian support
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3051844915064989
Lewes helps Ukraine
https://www.facebook.com/groups/665576388025778
Hastings supports refugees
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1653085608261243
The Refugee Buddy Project
https://twitter.com/TheRefugeeBuddy
Hastings Community of Sanctuary
https://twitter.com/HastSanctuary
Apologies to any not on this list, we're sure there are many others...
All the public sector bodies in East Sussex (local authorities, emergency services and NHS) are working together to support you and your communities (in partnership with voluntary associations).
So far we've mostly focussed on urgent practical arrangements like safety checks and payments, but we know there are more services you and your guests will need as they settle in.
Now we're starting to join some of the regular gatherings of hosts and guests around the county to hear your experiences first hand and think about the support you might need in months to come. We'll keep talking to you as we plan the next priorities for support services.
You can contact us directly if you have more questions by calling our helpline on 01323 724748 (10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday) or by emailing us ukraine@eastsussex.gov.uk
We expect to have updates next week on payments for hosts, on IT support for guests and more. Until then, thank you for your patience and for everything you are doing as hosts in East Sussex.
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