 The rise in the cost of living is affecting millions across the UK, with many reporting they will be unable to switch on the heating over the cold winter months.
It's important that everyone has a warm and welcoming space to go to this winter, which is why the Warm Welcome campaign has developed a network of community organisations, churches, libraries, businesses and other faith groups across the UK who have opened their doors to provide exactly that.
Each Warm Welcome space will be:
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🆓 Free - Spaces will be free to enter for everyone.
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🔥 Warm - Spaces are heated and able to provide basic refreshments such as tea/coffee.
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🖐️ Welcoming - Spaces are inclusive, non-judgemental spaces where everyone can expect a warm welcome from staff and volunteers.
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☕️ Safe - Every Warm Welcome space will carry out their usual safeguarding policies and hygiene rules. Organisations will make basic signposting information available to people who need further support and help.
Over 3,000 registered organisations have opened or are opening up free, warm, welcoming spaces for the public over this winter across the UK. You can read more and find a Warm Welcome space near you here 👇
It's important to us that all Ukrainian guests are safe and well, and that hosts have the support they need too. From this week onwards, we will be carrying out welfare visits for all guests who have been living with their hosts for 6 months or more.
The purpose of the welfare visit is to check guests are safe and well, confirm they are still living at their hosts’ property and to provide advice, guidance and information to you and your guest.
These checks have now started, so please expect to be contacted in the coming weeks.
An email with further details about these welfare checks has already been sent to you and your guest. In case you missed it, you can view this email in full by clicking the link below.
 We know this time of year can be busy for everyone, so we wanted to remind you that we recently shared a guide covering available housing options and private rented sector move-on support available to Ukrainian guests to help them find independent accommodation.
Financial help is now available from Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA) where guests can apply for help with:
- Deposit and holding fee
- One month’s rent in advance
- Six months guarantor agreement between the landlord and SCDA
- Help towards the cost of furnishing a property
Find out more about the application process on the SCDA website 👇
 Over the Christmas and New Year period most services will take a break. There are national bank holidays on the 26th & 27th December and the 2nd January 2023.
However, many services will close for the whole period from the end of the day on Friday 23rd December until Tuesday the 3rd January. This includes our Homes for Ukraine email and phone number, and there will be no newsletters during this time. Local voluntary sector services will also have limited or no availability. If you have any concerns about accessing services for you or your guest, please let us know on 📩 ukraine@eastsussex.gov.uk before the 23rd December.
More details on service availability over the Christmas period can be found here 👇
 Christmas activities in East Sussex next week:
📍 Robertsbridge
A special festive afternoon tea with the Alpacas at Fisherwood Farm.
🗓️ 17 Dec 2022 - 23 Dec 2022
🕑 13:30 - 15:30
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📍 Wickham Rock Lane, Winchelsea
Join a festive celebration of live jazz music, vineyard feasting & English wines at the gorgeous Charles Palmer Vineyards.
🗓️ 17 Dec 2022 🕑 12:30 - 15:30
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📍 Lamberhurst
Join Santa Claus at Bewl Water for a mouth-watering breakfast followed by a festive soft play session!
🗓️ 17 Dec 2022 - 24 Dec 2022
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Join in with the activities at Hastings Contemporary.
🗓️ 21 Dec 2022 🕑 11:00 - 17:00
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Please remember that we ask all hosts to update our online form twice only.
First - When you give us details of everyone aged 16 or over in your household so we can carry out safety checks
Second - please use the form to tell us when your guests arrive. This will help us speed up payments and services that are due.
You only need to do each of these steps once. If you've already updated the form, you do not need to do it again - thank you.
This newsletter is sent to every host (sponsor) in East Sussex who is part of Homes for Ukraine to keep you updated. You can unsubscribe at any time.
We expect to send you a further update next week.
Until then, we'd like to wish you all an enjoyable weekend.
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