Havant Borough Council (HBC) is working with its partners to provide support to Ukrainian refugees and the families in the borough that have generously taken them in.
Hampshire County Council (HCC) is leading the local government response to the Ukraine crisis – coordinating home visits, providing funding etc – and HBC is using its local connections to help families to settle in and connect them to the services they may need while they’re in the country.
HBC is appealing to hosts and their guests to come forward with the issues they are facing and will work with partner organisations HCC, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Horizon Leisure Trust and the Rural Refugee Network, and many other local groups and voluntary organisations to find solutions.
Support currently being considered includes English language teaching, opportunities for hosts and refugees to socialise, and counselling.
Hosts and guests can email any ideas to: ukrainesupporthav@havant.gov.uk
HBC is also looking to map where refugee families are and where community support groups are, so that services can be provided where they are needed, and any gaps can be identified. This information can be provided using our dedicated webpage.
Tell us how you're helping support Ukraine.
Councillor Gwen Robinson, Cabinet lead for Affordable Housing, Communities and CIL, said:
“I am incredibly proud of the generosity of spirit that has led so many hosts in Havant borough to come forward to support Ukrainians fleeing the terrible situation in their country.
“The families will be coming to terms with uprooting their lives; a long, difficult journey from their homes and fears for family still in the country.
"We acknowledge that there may be occasions when the relationship between hosts and their guests may not be an easy one. As such, Havant Borough Council is determined to provide support where we can for refugees and their hosts.”
If you are considering hosting refugees from Ukraine in your home, please ensure that you go through the Homes for Ukraine scheme or other safe routes. This will ensure that all the necessary checks are made to keep the hosts and their guests safe.