Support for people fleeing Ukraine
Everyone who arrives in Norfolk fleeing the war in Ukraine can get support.
If you've come to Norfolk under the Homes for Ukraine scheme
Read GOV.UK's guidance for guests under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. It includes information on applying to the scheme, employment and accessing benefits. The information is in Ukrainian and Russian too.
What to expect in the first few days
We will invite you and your host to International Welcome sessions so you can find out how to get support.
A few days after you have arrived at your accommodation, your local council will contact you to arrange a home visit. They'll can use interpretation services if you need them.
During this visit, they will:
- Check you're ok and see if you need more support
- Give you a letter to use as proof of address so you can open a UK bank account (GOV.UK website). Information is in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.
- Attend with a member of our Children's Services team if you have children. They can offer advice and support on childcare and schools.
After the visit, you'll receive financial support. We'll send you a one-off pre-paid card which will have £200 for each of the guests in your group (eg for you, your partner, children etc). This is to help you with day-to-day living costs. You don't have to pay this back. The card should arrive 5-10 days after the visit.
During your stay with your host
After our first visit, we'll visit you again after about 3 months and then again at 6 months. During these visits, you can tell us if you have any problems or questions. The visits are informal and nothing to worry about.
We'll ask some questions about how you are settling in. For example, about:
- Any employment, education or training opportunities you have started (or planning to start)
- What your future plans are (and how we can support you with them)
- Your finances
- How you're getting on with your host
- If you have any concerns about your safety
Read GOV.UK's guidance on how to live with your host and what to do if things aren't working out. Information is in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.
If you feel unsafe or need medical help
If you're concerned about your host's behaviour at any point, contact us. If it's an emergency, contact the Norfolk police.
If you're concerned about the safety of an adult or child:
Your living arrangements 4 to 6 months after moving to the UK
Talk to your host about your future living arrangements 4 months after your arrival in the UK. This will give you time to decide and prepare for your next steps.
Read GOV.UK's guidance on:
- Staying with your host or finding a new one. Information is in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.
- How to find rented accommodation. Information is in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.
For everyone who has come to the UK from Ukraine
We encourage you to attend our community help sessions. They'll help you find out how to access support.
GOV.UK tell you what you need to know if you're moving from Ukraine to the UK. Read the Ukrainian version of what you need to know if you're moving from Ukraine to the UK. It includes information on jobs, paying tax, getting your child into school and how to access healthcare.
We've listed other support specifically for people arriving from Ukraine (through any scheme) below:
General support
- Visit Norfolk Community Foundation's Ukrainian support page if you are in the early stages of settling into Norfolk. Information is in Ukrainian.
- Join Norfolk Community Foundation's tips for Ukrainians Facebook group. Information is in Ukrainian.
- Check what you must do when entering the UK with personal belongings (GOV.UK's website). This information is available in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.
Health
- How to access healthcare in Norfolk (Healthwatch Norfolk website). The information is available in English and Ukrainian.
Money, work and benefits
- Financial support if you've fled Ukraine (Understanding universal credit website). This information is available in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.
- Paying taxes in the UK if you work for an employer based in Ukraine (GOV.UK website). This information is available in English and Ukrainian.
Wellbeing
- Barnardo's Ukrainian support helpline have advice, practical support and access to therapy. This information is in English, Ukrainian, and Russian. You can get access to interpreters in Ukrainian and Russian.
- Free trauma and PTSD resources (Psychology tools website). Resources are available in English, Ukrainian, Polish, and Russian.
Legal issues
If you need help with a Ukraine legal problem, try:
- Legal helpline (managed by Polish and Ukrainian lawyers)
- Ukraine legal aid foundation (this information is in Ukrainian)