Help and support during the Ukraine crisis

Thank you to the many residents across Waltham Forest who have registered their interest in the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Waltham Forest Council is already supporting refugees, as well as residents who have registered their interest to house them.

This includes:

• making sure the children and families who arrive in our borough have access to education, trauma support and other essential services to help them settle and thrive
• ensuring that the homes being offered to them are safe and suitable

Information and advice from the Government is changing regularly. Work is well underway to make sure support is available across the borough. We will update this webpage with more details when we receive them. Please check the council’s social media channels and sign up to our residents’ email newsletter for the latest updates.

Find out more about the Homes for Ukraine scheme on the Council website, or email ukraine@walthamforest.gov.uk if you have specific questions you can’t find an answer to.

Advice for Ukrainians arriving in the UK

The Government has created a guide for people coming to this country from Ukraine as a result of the Russian invasion. It includes information on how to access services, open a bank account and find accommodation once your initial sponsorship ends. It is currently only available in English. There is a (PDF) factsheet on how to apply for the scheme that is also available in Ukrainian and Russian.

Read or download the guide (PDF).

Many residents have asked where to get information about immigration routes for Ukrainian nationals or about support groups in London for those who have been affected. See our latest list below:

Ukrainian specific

The AUGB is the largest representative body for Ukrainians and those of Ukrainian descent in the UK. Their London branch is located here:

154 Holland Park Avenue, London, United Kingdom, W11 4UH
Email: london@augb.co.uk Telephone: 020 72298392

The Ukrainian Institute in London is a registered charity that is a centre for Ukraine-related educational and cultural activities and highlights issues through projects, events and resources in London. They have a page explaining where you can donate to support Ukrainians.

Email: info@eerc.org.uk

Ukraine Advice Project UK is a pro bono referral scheme for Ukrainian nationals providing free UK immigration and asylum advice for Ukrainians and their families from qualified lawyers.

Email: ukraine@freemovement.org.uk

Other, more general, sources of help

East European Resource Centre (EERC) is a charity that provides information, advice and support to people mostly from Central and Eastern European EU countries, but is also concerned with issues for Ukrainian communities. Level 3 OISC registered.

The Romanian and Eastern European Hub is a service based in London designed to support Eastern European communities in London and across the UK. Their staff and volunteers offer free, tailored support to those needing help due to language, digital, and cultural barriers, including befriending, family and domestic abuse support. Telephone: 0203 833 1190

The Work Rights Centre supports beneficiaries with employment rights, employability, welfare and the EU Settlement Scheme (including joining family members). Their multilingual team speaks Polish, Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian, and Bulgarian.

They have an FAQ page with useful resources about Ukraine.

Immigration law experts Freemovement has produced a helpful resource bringing together advice on immigration: Can Ukrainians take refuge in the UK Immigration concessions and asylum policy.

London Plus, a group that supports charities and community groups in London, has drawn together a list of existing resources: Ukraine Charities and Community Groups Support.

If you are able to, please consider donating supplies or funds to local groups working to support those affected by this crisis: 

• Coffee Treasure Coffee Shop in Highams Park, arranging for a delivery of supplies to Poland from Monday 28 February. Contact: oksanalevchuk28@gmail.com.
• Queens Boundary Community Thomas Gamuel Park Café #CookforUkraine events to raise money. Contact: qbcmarkhouse@gmail.com