There is a growing effort of coordinated support for Ukrainian families and their hosts in the area.
Tandridge District council is collating a lot of information for both Ukrainian families and their hosts. Information can be found on a dedicated page: https://www.tandridge.gov.uk/Your-council/Ukraine/
Advice for hosts, including advice about DBS checks, home checks etc can be found here: https://www.tandridge.gov.uk/Your-council/Ukraine/Advice-for-hosts-matched-with-Ukrainian-guests
Tandridge DC is currently undertaking activities to facilitate hosting, including:
- Checking all accommodation provided is safe and doesn’t have any health and safety issues, regularly visiting while Ukrainian guests are staying with you to check there are no issues.
- Carrying out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background checks on everyone aged 16 or over living at the property, to see if anyone has any criminal convictions.
- Distributing the £200 welcome payment to each Ukrainian guest in the district.
- Making the £350 monthly thank you payment to hosts in the district.
The Oxted & Hurst Green Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/491662409318098 – is a very useful place to go if you want to chat with other hosts, need to find out information or need to ask for help or supplies. There’s also links and info on events and meet-ups, e.g. coffee mornings, kids sports, English lessons etc.
Ukrainian families
The Ukrainian Support Helpline, set up by Barnardo’s, is available to anyone fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. The free helpline number is 0800 148 8586.
There is an ever increasing list of events for Ukrainians in the Oxted area. Contact Abi at theaccessibilityproject@mail.com
You can find a link to other local organisations supporting Ukrainian families with help and activities, here: https://www.tandridge.gov.uk/Your-council/Ukraine/Organisations-supporting-Ukrainian-guests-in-the-district
Local Parish-based support group, Human sSighs has this very helpful welcome leaflet for Ukrainian families. Contact: humansighs@gmail.com