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  • Support for Ukrainians

    Created: 28/02/2022, Updated: 05/08/2022
    News/Events Category: FVA News


    Fife Voluntary Action, Fife's third sector and Fife's civic society are united in their support for the people of Ukraine and condemnation of the unprovoked war and atrocities being committed in Ukraine.

    Additionally, Fife Council has developed a webpage and will update regularly with information on the crisis in Ukraine as it evolves.  

    To help coordinate the community response here in Fife, we're asking anyone who wants to offer help to read the information below for guidance on what's going on currently.


    We can offer appointments to Ukrainian refugees arriving in Fife and access to a large choice of donated clothes, toiletries, and toys.

    This is offered on an appointment-only basis and you must complete this online form beforehand. Sponsors or referrers can complete the form on behalf of the Ukrainian family member(s), so long as they are able to provide the certain information that we need to ensure that people have full access to services,

    If you're struggling to complete this form or want more information, you can call us on 0800 389 6046 during normal office hours. Alternatively, you can e-mail us at [email protected]


    *IMPORTANT: One of the best ways to help is by donating cash through trusted charities and aid organisations, rather than donating goods. Cash can be transferred quickly to areas where it's needed, and individuals and aid organisations can use it to buy what is most needed. *

    Unsolicited donations of goods, although well-meant, can obstruct supply chains and delay more urgent life-saving assistance from getting through.

    There are a number of reputable fundraising bodies such as UNICEF, the British Red Cross, the International Rescue Committee, and the Disasters Emergency Committee* who run fundraising appeals for crises and are able to get money to those most in need, and are mobilised in the region.

    * For the Donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal, the UK Government will match public donations to this appeal pound for pound.

    There are also Scottish based Ukrainian community groups, including Edinburgh Ukrainian Club and Community of Ukrainians in Glasgow who are gathering essential supplies and considering how they can support displaced people.


    Donating items

    Delivering items directly to areas in crisis is expensive and could be a safety risk for the charities/groups involved. Only donate the items that charities/groups are asking for such as first aid supplies, clean new clothes, sanitary supplies and baby items. Dealing with unneeded items can draw volunteers away from working on activities that are most helpful to those in need.


    Donate with care and research any charities/ groups that you are considering for a donation to ensure you know where and how donations will be used. You can research charities at OSCR or contact us here at FVA if you're unsure.


    Ukraine: Accommodation support

    The UK Government is operating a sponsorship scheme to make sure that Ukrainians who have been forced to flee their homes have a route to safety. The scheme will match people, charities, businesses, and community groups to Ukrainians who do not have family ties to the UK. More details on the scheme can be found on Fife Council's website.

    The Scottish Government is incredibly grateful for the groundswell of support from the people of Scotland who have signed up to open their homes to people fleeing the crisis in Ukraine.  It has published guidance for hosts offering accommodation under the Scottish Government’s Super Sponsor scheme.  The guidance covers:

    • the eligibility criteria to become a host
    • the role and expectations of hosts in supporting Ukrainian guests who arrive under the scheme
    • where hosts can access further support

    This guidance is aimed primarily at hosts using Scotland’s Super Sponsor scheme, but it also sets out the expectations and requirements of hosting a displaced person from Ukraine in Scotland for individual/private sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

    There are also posts on TwitterFacebook and Instagram, including a short video (available on YouTube), explaining to hosts what happens next.

    Together with the Scottish Refugee Council, The Scottish Government is running a free online information session from 10:00 - 11:30 on 09 June where you can get answers to questions they might have about hosting or about the super sponsor scheme in general.

    They have also published information on the Scottish Super Sponsor scheme, travel, healthcare, housing, employment and education for displaced people from Ukraine which they may find helpful. If they are matched with a displaced person or family the Scottish Refugee Council also runs regular information sessions for people who have recently arrived in Scotland.


    What should charities do in response to the war?

    Following on from the First Minister’s recent statements confirming Scotland’s unqualified support for Ukrainian sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and strong support for the package of international economic sanctions against the Russian invasion, organisations, public bodies, and businesses have been asked to review operations for links and connections to Russia – however indirect. 
     
    OSCR has been active in monitoring the situation and providing regular updates to guidance for the third sector. The guidance covers three areas that charity trustees should be considering in response to the war in Ukraine:

    • Supporting the Ukrainian people - does the charity wish to support Ukrainians in some way and, if so, what should it do?
    • Reviewing IT and cyber security arrangements – what IT security policies does the charity have in place and do they need refreshed?
    • Awareness of the sanctions regime – does the charity have any transactions with Russian organisations or individuals and will they be affected by the tightening sanctions regime?

    Find out more here.


    Social media - staying safe online

    The UK Government, Scottish Government Ukrainian Government and others have been sharing messages of support on social media using the hashtag #StandForUkraine.

    Take care what you share! There is a lot of false information about the conflict circulating online – this is often called misinformation and disinformation. You can do your part to stop the spread:

    • Ask yourself – does this look right? Does this sound right? Does this information come from a source I recognise?

    • The SHARE checklist can help you decide if information can be trusted, before you interact with or share it on your social media channels.

    The Home Office has issued a Factsheet regarding changes made to the immigration system to support British nationals and their families in Ukraine, and Ukrainians in the UK, Ukraine and elsewhere. Read the Factsheet here.


    Ukraine Advice Scotland

    The Scottish Government will support Ukraine Advice Scotland with a grant of £36,000. Ukraine Advice Scotland will be offering free, confidential legal advice to Ukrainians and their family members who are seeking safety in Scotland. Those who need help can contact qualified legal advisors by e-mail: [email protected] or call the free legal helpline at 0800 995 6045.

    Scottish Refugee Council is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people fleeing war and human rights abuses and in need of refugee protection. The charity provides advice, support, and a listening ear to people who have recently arrived in Scotland online and via a free helpline on 0808 196 7274.


    Access to healthcare and social security benefits

    People who ordinarily live in Ukraine will be able to access NHS services at no charge on the same basis as people living in Scotland.

    An amendment to current legislation will ensure that people who have fled Ukraine can access services such as maternity care, mental health services and treatment for specific conditions at no charge while they remain here.

    This will also apply to people from Ukraine who were in Scotland on short-term visas when the conflict began and who apply to extend or switch visas because they cannot return home. 

     


    Barnardo's Ukrainian Support Helpline

    Barnardo's has set up the Ukrainian Support Helpline to provide a holistic support service. The Helpline is available to anyone fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. The team can offer support to families and individual children including: foster services for children and young people who arrive here on their own, help children get the healthcare and schooling they need while they are in the UK and giving parents practical support. Call the helpline on 0800 148 8586. For information on the helpline, please e-mail: [email protected]

     


    People arriving from Ukraine: Risk and need: Public protection guidance

    The Scottish Government has shared Public Protection Guidance for people arriving from Ukraine and an accessible version will also soon be published on its website. 

    For ease of use, the Government has also attached an editable word version of the:

    Police Scotland colleagues would also appreciate help to provide information to people arriving from Ukraine about reporting War Crimes. This is mentioned in the guidance but please view these Appeal Leaflets in English-Ukrainian and English-Russian.  These may be useful for inclusion in Hubs and/or information packs.

    This guidance is for all practitioners involved in the safeguarding of children and adults who are arriving in Scotland from Ukraine to identify and respond to risk and need. 

    If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]


    Drop-in Welfare/Benefit/Income information session for Ukrainian refugees

    Citizen Advice and Rights Fife is running a drop-in Welfare/Benefit/Income information session for Ukrainian refugees from 11:00 - 13:00 on Thursday 16 June 2022. It'll take place at Pittenweem Town Hall Session Street, Pittenweem, KY10 2QL, Fife. This poster translates this information into Ukrainian. 




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