Dear all,
Welcome to our first newsletter of 2023. We hope you all had a good festive period.
We have a few reminders, new information and opportunities to connect with job centres below. We will also be updating our HFU webpages soon to reflect new information released by central Government in December.
Many thanks again for everything that you are doing, and please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Homes for Ukraine team at hfuteam@gloucestershire.gov.uk if you have any questions or require further support.
Homes for Ukraine Team
Please let us know if your guest plans to move
We are extremely grateful for the generosity and support hosts have shown guests during this scheme, and there is no doubt thousands of lives have been changed for the better.
Please remember to let the HFU team know if your guest has decided to leave the Homes for Ukraine scheme. They may be planning to go back to Ukraine, move to a different part of the UK, or they may have found private rental accommodation. Whatever they have decided to do, please let us know. Email us at hfuteam@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Thank you for your co-operation.
Gloucestershire's Support Hub
If you are struggling financially as the cost of living increases, there is information and advice about saving money, conserving energy and looking after your mental health available online at Support Hub - Gloucestershire County Council.
Updates to the Homes for Ukraine Scheme
In December, the Government announced some new developments to the Homes for Ukraine scheme. These updates were designed to ensure the sustainability of the programme over the longer term and to provide certainty to all those who are supporting Ukrainian guests in the UK. Measures announced include Homes for Ukraine host ‘thank you’ payments increasing to £500 a month after a Ukrainian guest’s first year of sponsorship. Payments will also be extended for a longer period, from 12 months for up to 24 months. Further guidance on these changes has recently been issued; please bear with us while we clarify how these changes will be implemented as part of the scheme in Gloucestershire.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Awareness Course
Gloucestershire County Council have worked with Dr Richard Castle to develop a mental health and wellbeing awareness course for the hosts of displaced families and refugees, including those hosting on the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. Dr Castle is a Chartered Psychologist with specialist experience in managing the aftermath of disasters and collective trauma events, as well as humanitarian aid operations. The course is available online at the link below alongside access to a wide range of mental health support and resources.
Mental Health Awareness for Hosts of Displaced Families - Gloucestershire County Council
Job Centre events
Below is a list of upcoming events and fairs at Job Centres in Gloucestershire. Some are aimed at specific sectors.
They are a great way for job hunters and potential candidates to meet multiple employers on the same day. You don't need to be unemployed to attend a job fair; if you are just seeking part-time work, or considering a change in employment, attending a job fair could also be beneficial to you. Please check the details nearer the time with the individual job centre.
Find out more about preparing for a Job Fair here.
Office
|
Date
|
Time
|
Type of event
|
Gloucester Cedar
|
02/02/2023
|
10 - 12
|
Customer Service - retail / hospitality / customer service reception
|
Cheltenham
|
07/02/2023
|
10 - 12
|
Customer Service - retail / hospitality / customer service reception
|
Coleford Library
|
08/02/2023
|
10 - 12.30
|
General Jobs Fair
|
Gloucester Eastgate
|
09/02/2023
|
10-12
|
Recruitment Agencies event
|
Tewkesbury
|
14/02/2023
|
|
Recruitment event
|
Cheltenham
|
21/02/2023
|
10-12
|
General Jobs Fair
|
Gloucester Eastgate
|
23/02/2023
|
10-12
|
General Jobs Fair
|
Cheltenham
|
28/02/2023
|
10-12
|
Hands-on jobs e.g. construction / cleaning / NHS facilities
|
Tewkesbury
|
01/03/2023
|
10-12
|
General Job Fair
|
Gloucester Eastgate
|
09/03/2023
|
10-12
|
Recruitment Agencies
|
Tewkesbury
|
10/03/2023
|
|
Recruitment Event
|
Gloucester Cedar
|
16/03/2023
|
|
Care work
|
Cheltenham
|
21/03/2023
|
9.30 -12
|
General Jobs Fair
|
Stroud (EXT)
at Standguide
|
22/03/2023
|
|
Health & Disability Event
|
Tewkesbury
|
28/03/2023
|
|
Recruitment Event
|
Gloucester Eastgate
|
30/03/2023
|
9.30 -12
|
General Job Fair
|
|
|
Dawn – Team leader
I’ve been in GCC for 3yrs starting with a very brief stint in Exec Support then 2yrs working on the Covid-19 Hub.
I’ve been working with the HFU Team since April 22 leading the support and processes for the team, including information governance.
I love being part of this team because there’s a wide variety of work, there’s a real family feel and everyone is so supportive.
|
Sophie – Response Officer
I’m new to the team! My role within the team is mainly booking visits and revisits with our hosts and Ukrainian guests, and everything that comes with that…. whilst providing great entertainment for the team. It’s insightful and educational going out and meeting different people and that’s one of the great things about the HFU Scheme.
Internally, the HFU Team are so welcoming and lovely, and it is a great team to be a part of with fantastic morale and work balance.
|
Simon – Response Officer
Initially I was involved mostly with attending welcome visits with hosts at home with their new guests. This has been an enlightening experience getting to know and understand the challenges facing all involved.
Lately I have been supporting more in the office and familiarising myself with the necessary functions behind the service we provide. I conduct follow-up visits to see how the host/guest relationships have developed and support both where needed.
This has been very rewarding with many of these relationships having flourished and seeing guests that have thrived from how they were when they first arrived.
|
Useful information
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