Support for Ukraine
Please be aware that hosts and guests must make an appointment to collect their £200 per guest payment. Please do not visit or contact the Citizens Advice without an appointment.
We are working with Worcestershire County Council, and councils across Worcestershire, to welcome and support Ukrainian refugees. This has been confirmed by a joint statement of support which you can read below.
Joint statement by Worcestershire Council Leaders on the situation in Ukraine.
“The situation in Ukraine has shocked us all locally, nationally and internationally and our thoughts are with all those who have been affected.
“As Leaders of the seven councils across Worcestershire, we have unanimously pledged to support in as far as we are able, those arriving to our county from Ukraine with a One Worcestershire approach.
“We’d like to thank residents across Worcestershire for their continuing support.”
The people of Malvern Hills District Council have shown amazing generosity to the people of Ukraine and as of 7 April 2022 more 50 people have offered to host refugees either in their own homes or other accommodation.
On this page you can find out more about the process for sponsoring a Ukrainian refugee under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, as well as other ways you can help those affected by the conflict.
Use the links below to find the information you need:
- How to sponsor a Ukrainian to come to the UK
- Volunteer your support to help refugees arriving in Malvern
- Donating money
How to sponsor a Ukrainian to come to the UK
There are two schemes helping to bring Ukrainian refugees to the UK.
Ukraine Family Visa Scheme
The Ukraine Family Visa Scheme allows applicants to join family members or extend their stay in the UK. It is free to apply.
Find out more about the Ukraine Family Visa Scheme on the Government’s website (open new window).
Homes for Ukraine scheme
The Homes for Ukraine scheme allows Ukrainians, and their immediate family members, with no family ties to the UK to be sponsored by individuals or organisations who can offer them a home such as a spare room or unoccupied residential self-contained unit.
Those taken in under the scheme will be able to live and work in the UK for up to three years and also access benefits, healthcare, employment and other support.
Sponsors can be of any nationality, with any immigration status, provided they have at least six months’ leave to remain within the UK. In the first phase of the scheme, sponsors will need to have a named person whom they wish to sponsor. This could be a friend, someone they are already connected with, or it could be someone they have been linked with by a charity, faith group or other organisation.
We are working with colleagues at Worcestershire County Council, the voluntary and community sector and other partners to help support people hosting refugees and people arriving from Ukraine under this scheme.
Find out more about the Homes for Ukraine Scheme in Malvern.
Volunteer your support to help refugees
Many people and organisations across our district are gathering together to offer help and support to people arriving in our district from Ukraine.
If you have an offer of support then you are strongly encouraged to register it with the Worcestershire Here 2 Help service.
There is a specific request for organisations or services able to offer practical or emotional support and translation support. If you are not already registered on the Worcestershire County Council Community Services Directory, then please do so as soon as possible.
If you cannot complete the online form then please call 01905 768053 then press option 3. The Here 2 Help service is open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4.30pm.
Donating money
If you want to donate money for humanitarian assistance then we strongly encourage you to donate to the UK Disasters Emergency Committee appeal (DEC).
The DEC is co-ordinating the efforts of 15 agencies to help people who have fled Ukraine or been displaced to other parts of the country, following the invasion by Russia.
All public donations will be doubled by the UK government, up to a total of £20m.
If you wish to donate to another charity then please be careful about who you give your money to. Fraudsters are trying to take advantage of people's generosity towards the people of Ukraine. The Government advises you to do the following before donating money:
- Check the name and registration of a charity on the Government's website (opens in new window).
- Make sure the charity is genuine before giving any financial information.
- Be careful when responding to emails or clicking on links within them.
- Contact or find out more online about the charity that you’re seeking to donate to or work with to understand how they are spending their funds.
- Look out for the Fundraising Badge on charity fundraising materials, this is the logo which shows that a charity has committed to fundraise in line with the Code of Fundraising Practice.