There are many different ways you can support the humanitarian effort for Ukraine.
We are working with a range of agencies across the county to respond to the unfolding situation in Ukraine. You can offer your support in a number of ways:
Donation of money:
Disasters Emergency Committee - you can donate:
- Online
- Phone: 0370 60 60 900
- SMS: To donate £10 text SUPPORT to 70150. Texts cost £10 plus the standard network charge and the whole £10 goes to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. You must be 16 or over and please ask the bill payer's permission. (Full terms and conditions and more information are available on the DEC website)
- Or donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office or send a cheque by post to Post: DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA.
Donation of items
Details of collection sites across the county are available on the Talk Community website. Please check the Hereford Help for Ukraine Facebook group for details of items required.
Local support
For support available locally, please see the Hereford Help for Ukraine Facebook group. There is also information on our Talk Community website.
Volunteer as an interpreter
If you speak any relevant languages and would like to volunteer as an interpreter or for translation, please contact the Herefordshire Language Network at diversity@herefordshire.gov.uk or visit our translation and interpreting services page.
Volunteer your time
To volunteer your time please take a look at the HVOSS website or email volunteer@hvoss.org.uk
Government schemes to help Ukrainian feeling conflict to come to the UK
The government have launched two schemes to support Ukrainians to come to the UK.
Ukraine Family Scheme
The Ukraine Family Scheme allows applicants to join family members or extend their stay in the UK. It is a free scheme and people coming to the UK through this scheme will be to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds.
The government have a regularly updated webpage with all the latest information on advice on immigration information for Ukrainians in the UK, British nationals and their family members.
Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme
The Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme is now open for applications. If you wish to become a sponsor through this scheme please register on the Homes for Ukraine website.
Please note that in the short term, the government is starting with named individual contacts. For more information about the scheme please see the frequently asked questions section.
Information about how to apply for a visa under the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme has also been released.
The government issued guidance for councils on Friday 18 March. Herefordshire Council are working with local, regional and national organisations to fully understand our role in the scheme and what we can do to support both sponsors and guests as they arrive in the county. This is an evolving situation and more detailed guidance is expected over the coming days.
View the privacy notices relating to the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme
Looking for someone from the Ukraine to sponsor?
The Diocese are partnering with Citizens UK who will support potential sponsors seeking to accommodate Ukrainians through the Government’s new ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme. Citizens UK has a long track record of supporting communities to welcome refugees, and will be working with charities and organisations in the Ukraine to develop matches.
This initiative is open to anyone wishing to offer accommodation and is not church specific. The offer is also open if you have already identified someone in the Ukraine but would like support with form-filling, travel arrangements and support once people arrive.
If you are interested in hosting please contact HostForUkraine@hereford.anglican.org with the following details:
- Contact details
- Location of accommodation
- Type of accommodation e.g. shared / self-contained
- Number of adults/children that could be accommodated
Citizens UK are working closely with Reset, who have established an online portal for matching sponsors to people from the Ukraine.
It is possible to register your interest with both organisations.
Know someone from the Ukraine in need of sponsorship through the Homes for Ukraine scheme?
The Diocese are collecting and collating details of individuals and families from the Ukraine in need of accommodation in the UK through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. Please contact HostForUkraine@hereford.anglican.org with the details, or for further information.
Reset have established an online portal to aid the matching process for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme and are asking individuals and families from the Ukraine in need of sponsorship to register on their website.
It is possible to register your interest with both organisations.
Transport for arrivals from Ukraine
From Sunday 20 March, guests arriving in the country will be eligible for a single onward journey via national rail, bus, light rail, and coach. This will be free of charge to anywhere in England, Scotland and Wales. Further information is available on the National Rail Enquiries website.
Support for Guests
Welcome! A guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Help for Ukrainian nationals in the UK (redcross.org.uk)
Support for Sponsors
Get in touch via supportforukraine@herefordshire.gov.uk
Guidance for charities and trustees
The situation in Ukraine is changing rapidly. The government recognise the complex challenge this poses for charities responding to the crisis at home or abroad and have developed some guidance on the most commonly asked questions.
Healthcare for Ukrainians
We've created some useful healthcare resources for households in Herefordshire supporting Ukrainian guests as part of the Homes for Ukraine programme. Resources are provided in both Ukrainian and English.
March 8
Statement from the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Sebastian Bowen
I stated in my speech to Full Council on Friday (4 March 2022) that I knew that Herefordshire has always been known as a generous County and you have made me very proud to learn of your swift and magnificent generosity in response to the request for aid to the citizens of Ukraine.
It is very heartening to see that the Ukrainian Army is putting up a remarkable and powerful response to the vile onslaught by Russia. I hope that the rapid and generous answer to the call for aid will not only bring them some physical help but also let all Ukrainians know that we are in full support of them, both in material aid and in our very best wishes for them and their Nation.
In practical terms, I understand that many Parish churches are acting as collection points and Halo has also offered its centres as collection. I believe that both money and materials are piling up! I am told that the first seven ton lorry load of materials is at this moment, making its way to Poland and the Ukrainian border.
The details of collection sites across the county are available on the Talk Community website, if you would like to make a donation of money please use the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal fund details on this page.
With very best wishes and many thanks for your truly wonderful generosity.
Feb 28
Cllr David Hitchiner, Leader of Herefordshire Council
I was coming into the Council Offices this morning listening to the news from Ukraine, reflecting on the statements being made nationally and wondering what response was appropriate from us in the Council
We have real connections with Ukraine.
For many years Herefordshire has relied upon workers from Eastern Europe, Ukraine included, to work here. Some have stayed and are bringing up their families here. Many of us travel internationally and might have visited Ukraine. We have a strong global presence in the security industry and there are workers from Herefordshire in Ukraine providing services.
Given the seriousness of war breaking out in Europe today for the first time in over 80 years It is appropriate for me, on behalf of the Council, to send a message of solidarity and sympathy to all democratically elected representatives of the government and of councils across Ukraine and to the people of Ukraine whom they all serve and represent.
The fabric and freedom of their society is under threat and our support, thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult and distressing time.
On behalf of the Council I want to reach out to Ukrainians living in our County. Our thoughts are with you and our residents who have friends and family in the region. If we are able to support you, please let us know.