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Welcome to your dedicated newsletter for Homes for Ukraine Hosts in East Sussex.
We are developing a series of webinars about what education/training options are available once a guest turns 16 years old? If you host a young person and they have ‘what next’ questions get in touch, and we’ll aim to include the topic in an upcoming webinar.
A volunteer at Peacehaven Library is offering free digital support on everyday computer skills for Ukrainians and Russians. If your guest needs support – this could be the perfect solution for them.
We've some great activities in our regular round up of ‘what’s on’ across East Sussex,
This month, Donald tells us about his experiences of hosting Ukrainian guests. If you'd like to share your story, please email us or call 01273 337010.
Many thanks, to all hosts who do so much for our community of Ukrainian guests in East Sussex.
Citizens Advice Bureau has produced a guide written in Ukrainian to assist guests with claiming Universal Credit. You can access it here
Universal Credit is a benefit payment paid once a month that you might be able to apply for if you’re not working or you’re on a low income.
Citizen’s Advice claim advisers can help you with the early stages of your Universal Credit claim. Contact them about a Universal Credit application
We’re launching a series of webinars with information on education and training options post 16.
To start the series, we’re asking guests to send us questions which will be answered by local colleges and Sussex University.
Please ask your guests to email their questions to us on ukraine@eastsussex.gov.uk.
The webinars will be published on the BHT Sussex and ESCC websites.
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A volunteer at Peacehaven Library is offering free digital support on everyday computer skills for Ukrainians and Russians.
The IT for You session is ideal for people with modest or no English language skills who need digital support for such things as completing online forms.
Please note the volunteer will not provide additional interpreting support.
Her sessions run every Thursday afternoon between 2.45 to 3.45pm and 4 to 5 pm.
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book a session online here - please be aware the sessions appear as standard IT for You sessions - so ensure you book the appropriate location and time.
Guests can also self-refer/book direct by calling 0345 60 80 196 or visiting their local library.
From 1 April, thank-you payments will be paid at £350 a month to hosts on both the Homes for Ukraine scheme and Ukrainian Permission Extension (UPE).
Please note, hosts will need to reapply for thank-you payments once their guest has applied for the UPE – this is a national Government requirement.
Further details can be found in our letter.
Phasing out of incentive payments
At the end of June, we will be phasing out the one-off incentive payments people receive for long-term hosting.
This will include the £1,000 for people who had hosted for 12 consecutive months and the £500 payment for hosting for 18 consecutive months. No further incentive payments will be paid after the 30 June 2025.
If you think you may be eligible for these payments before that date, please contact ukraine@eastsussex.gov.uk to ensure you claim your incentive.
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The UPE scheme opened 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.
Hosts are being reminded to ask guest(s) to send us their share code (a personal identifier that proves a worker's immigration status).
This is because if we've only got a guest's estimated visa-expiry date your thank you payments could be impacted.
We'd be grateful if you can ask 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
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.
Events near you
Honey Cake Workshop
This is the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day - by making a traditional honey cake.
- 29 March between 1.30 to 4.30pm at Christ Church, Lewes BN7 1BL
Suggested donation £40. All proceeds go towards the children’s hospital in Ukraine.
To register or find out more contact Lyudmila +447833823638 or see the Sussex4Ukraine website for more details.
Pysanka - Easter Egg painting
These events promises a warm, welcoming environment to nurture creativity.
Each participant will be guided through each step of the process and can take their handcrafted pysank home. The event costs £20 per person. All materials and tools provided.
- 29 March between 11am to 2 pm at Belmont Centre, Uckfield TN22 1BP
- 13 April between 1pm to 4 pm at Christ Church, Lewes BN7 1BL
For more information call 07393448900, view the Sussex4Ukraine website, or just turn up on the day.
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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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...
Donald on the right and his wife Jane is on the left with their guests Tetiana and Anatolii Borysiuk are between them.
My wife Jane and I decided in 2022 that we would like to help, in some small way, the people from the war-torn country of Ukraine, writes Donald.
The Homes for Ukraine Scheme seemed to be the ideal solution and our hosting request was accepted.
In offering accommodation to Ukrainian refugees our main concern was that there would be strangers in the house and that perhaps the relationships would become strained. However, we need not have worried as from the outset relations were relaxed and convivial.
Translation Apps were a very big help in ensuring proper communication and preventing any misunderstandings. It seems a small point, but we think also that separate cooking times helped the situation as national diets are different.
We have hosted two retired couples and one gentleman of working age and we've developed close bonds with our guests during their stays with us. In each case, subsequent to hosting, we've continued to keep in touch with our new-found Ukrainian friends and endeavoured to assist with any problems they have been experiencing. And we have enjoyed the occasional social gathering as well.
We have also been on holiday in Scotland with one couple (please see photo).
In these ways, we feel that we are continuing to help the Ukrainian people survive the effects of the war.
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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