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Welcome to your dedicated newsletter for Homes for Ukraine Hosts in East Sussex.
This month we bring you details on how guests can share their visa expiry dates with us. It's important we have the most up-to-date information for our records.
We're sure many of you on the Homes for Ukraine scheme are now aware of the updates from central government regarding the Ukrainian Permission Extension (UPE) scheme. This is a reminder the application opens on 4 February.
There are some great local events in our regular round up of ‘what’s on’ across East Sussex.
There's also our usual listing of job opportunities, which many guests find useful.
This month, we've Anna's story whose personal connection to Ukraine inspired her to become a host. If you'd like to share your story, please email us or call 01273 337010.
Many thanks, to all hosts that do so much for our community of Ukrainian guests in East Sussex.
Hosts are being reminded that if we're unable to confirm your guest's visa expiry date it could impact your 'thank you' payments.
That's because until guests provide us with their share code (a personal identifier that proves a worker's immigration status) we've only an estimated visa-expiry date.
We'd be grateful if you can remind your guest to send details of their share code to Ukraine@eastsussex.gov.uk.
Your guest can update their details by logging into their e-Visa account. The government website has further details on how to provide a share code.
Thank You payments are continuing for hosts on both the Homes for Ukraine scheme and Ukrainian Permission Extension (UPE).
Thank You payments will be paid at £350 a month from 1 April. Hosts will be able to apply for 'thank you' payments once their guest has applied for the UPE.
Further information will be shared in next month's newsletter.
Additional details regarding 'thank you' payments can be found in our host letter.
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The UPE scheme opens for applications on 4 February. The scheme grants guests a further 18-months stay in the UK.
The UK Government has provided details on eligibility and the application process, and information on the documentation guests need to apply for the visa.
It’s important guests read and fully understand the details contained in the guidance when applying to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme.
Ukrainians in the UK on the Ukraine visa schemes can apply for the UPE visa scheme 28 days before their existing visa expires.
For many guests moving into the private rented sector is an exciting next step toward independence and becoming part of a new community.
However, inevitably there can be situations where mediation is required when living in a new space. If tensions arise within families, neighbours or flatmates, Mediation Plus offers free mediation services.
Learn more about the help they can provide Homes for Ukraine Communication Support.
Contact one of the following Sussex Mediation Alliance partners if you would like to talk about mediation or one-to-one support.
- Mediation Plus (Hastings, Rother, Wealden and Eastbourne)
neighbourhood@mediation-plus.org.uk 01424 446808
- Brighton and Hove Independent Mediation Service (Lewes)
mediation@bhims.org.uk 01273 700812
Learn more about Navigating Life in the Private Rented Sector in the Sussex Mediation Alliance newsletter.
There are lots of events happening in the next few weeks across the county and in our communities. We’ve collected some events that are sure to inspire you.
An easier way to travel
if you've seen an event you'd like to attend, but live in an area with limited or no public transport then why not try Flexibus.
The on-demand ride share service can help connect you with your local area and the wider public transport network so you can visit more of our wonderful county.
Flexibus operates Monday to Saturday 7am-7pm, excluding Bank Holidays.
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The Volya Voices Choir East Sussex has published a book detailing their individual stories of fleeing Ukraine after the invasion in February 2022.
The choir is made up of woman who arrived in the UK on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
The book tells each woman’s story - starting when they decided to flee Ukraine until they arrived in Sussex to the safety of host families.
There will be a number of book launches in March to mark the third anniversary of the start of the war. The events begin at the De La Warr Pavilion
Jobs round-up
The latest jobs for guests interested in a new career?
Is your guest looking for a new job? The latest selection of roles and learning and training opportunities to help your guest get the job they want is available online.
Being a host: my story so far...
My decision to become a host was to help in some small way a Ukrainian family, and for personal reasons as my father was Ukrainian, writes Anna (right) who's been a host to Iryna for 18 months.
His story
My father was born in 1924 in Zabrze, Poland. This Polish region later became part of western Ukraine and his family remain there to this day after moving to the city of Rivne at some point.
My father was 14 and at school when German forces invaded this part of the Ukraine at the start of World War 2. He and his classmates were taken into Germany. He was never to return to his family or the Ukraine. He survived the war. After Germany surrendered to the Allied forces, he - along with many others - was classed as 'uncertain citizens' or 'displaced persons'.
In 1946/47 he was given the choice to settle in this country or the USA. He chose England and started a new life here. He came to London, married and had my sister and I. He was eventually allowed to correspond with his family during the late 1960s. He was told his parents had died and he was still not allowed to visit.
My father died in 1974. He never spoke of what he had to witness or endure during the war. My mother tried to continue writing but contact was lost sometime during the 1990s.
My story
Sadly, the Russian invasion has meant that history has repeated itself for my Ukrainian family.
When Russia invaded the Ukraine I tried to re-establish contact with my relatives to see what support or sanctuary I could offer, but was unsuccessful. I then decided to become a host.
Iryna came to me in March 2023 (she is from the Lviv region). We had met beforehand to see if we were compatible. Ground rules were agreed. She was very relieved to have found sanctuary. She now works and has returned to see her family twice. The hosting has been successful for both of us.
Through Iryna and her mother I have re-established contact with my Ukrainian family, who decided they wanted to stay together and remain in their homes. We message most weeks via WhatsApp and by using Google translate. They are trying to have a ‘normal’ life around the constant threat of bombing.
I have been invited to visit them and Iryna’s family when the invasion is over. They of course want to visit me in the UK.
Welfare checks
It's really important to us that all Ukrainian guests are safe and well. As we continue to carry out welfare visits for all guests who have been living with their hosts for six months or more.
The purpose of the welfare visit is to check guests are safe and well, confirm your guests are still living at your property and to provide advice, guidance and information to you and your guest(s). It also provides you the opportunity to express any concerns or difficulties you might be having. We would appreciate the cooperation of guests and hosts when welfare visits are arranged with you.
Useful contacts
Homes for Ukraine contact centre. If you need advice, call 01273 337010 (pick Option 1 to speak to someone in English, Option 2 to speak to someone in Ukrainian) or email ukraine@eastsussex.gov.uk.
If you found this a useful guide to hosting our Ukrainian guests, then why not share it with a friend so they can sign up to our monthly newsletter and stay informed of all the latest Homes for Ukraine news. You can read previous newsletters at our host newsletter archive.
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