How Can You Help?
Homes for Ukraine: is a UK government scheme which will enable individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to volunteer accommodation and provide a route to safety for Ukrainians, and their immediate family members, forced to escape their homeland. More information here: https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/
Local Fundraising and Donations
There are various projects supporting Ukraine and refugees taking place across the community. These include:
St Mary's Primary School Fundraiser 3.30pm Friday 18th March: Some children in year 3 and 4 are holding a lemonade, cake and cookie sale from 3.30pm on Friday. The stall will be on the corner of Oliver Road and Ferndale Avenue, very near the school. All proceeds will be donated to UNICEF's emergency appeal to protect the children of Ukraine.
Peel’d and Queen's Arms Orford Road are running a raffle for Ukraine with lots of amazing raffle prizes. Tickets are £5 and are available to buy in Peel'd and Queen's Arms.
Patchworks E10 7JQ are hosting a number of fundraisers for Ukraine including Go East Fashion Show and Dance for Peace event. More information here: https://www.patchworks.xyz/
Accommodation Appeal: An Upper Walthamstow resident is organising support going directly to the people affected by the devastating war in Ukraine. Donations will help clothe, feed and provide essentials for the Ukrainian families that have arrived in Zakopane, Poland. https://www.gofundme.com/f/refugeeshelter
Radak E17 Furniture is collecting items including pharmacy items, batteries and torches for Ukraine at Unit 3 Walthamstow Business Centre Clifford road E17 4SX. Please contact 07933420115 or 07740868367 for more information.
Yard Sale fundraiser- donate £5 to be in with a chance of winning free pizza for a year https://yardsalepizza.com/donate-5-to-cookforukraine-to-win-free-pizza-f... All funds raised will be donated to #CookForUkraine
Crowdfunding to deliver aid to the Ukranian border: Monday 21st March trucks are travelling to the Ukrainian border to deliver aid. They are asking funding to help with the trip. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/alan-goode
Charities
It is really important to only donate the specific items requested by charity collections, in many cases, donating money (if you can afford it) is preferable.
There are a number of British and international charities which have set urgent appeals for funds to support the humanitarian projects around Ukraine. These include:
- DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee): https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
- World Vision - https://www.worldvision.org.uk/emergencies/ukraine-crisis-appeal/
- Save The Children - https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/how-you-can-help/emergencies/ukraine-appeal
- International Rescue Committee - https://www.rescue-uk.org/
- Care International - https://www.careinternational.org.uk/
- The British Red Cross - https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal
- Action Against Hunger - https://www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk/ukraine-appeal
- Choose Love - https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/ukraine-appeal/
- Sunflower of Peace- https://www.sunflowerofpeace.com/
Other events:
You can join the movement by hosting your own #CookForUkraine supper club or bake sale, inviting your friends and suggesting a donation to this Just Giving page. Share pictures on social media by adding the #CookForUkraine hashtag to connect with the community!
All proceeds will be directed to UNICEF UK’s Ukraine appeal, supporting children and families.
List of all London restaurants participating in #CookFOrUkraine: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ozv1rrhu9d10h88/AABetbMWjBCwmzRCnsNV9PnOa?dl=0
Queens Boundary Community – Thomas Gamuel Park Café #CookforUkraine events to raise money. Contact qbcmarkhouse@gmail.com
Indulge Dining https://www.instagram.com/indulge_dining/?hl=en are selling £5 raffle tickets on their website to win a meal for 2 people on a date of your choice.100% of the proceeds will go to the Cook for Ukraine appeal set up by @clerkenwellboyec1 aswell as @oliahercules and @alissatimoshkina who are both personally affected by the awful events happening in Ukraine. Raffle tickets available here: https://indulgedining.co.uk/collections/meal-kits/products/cook-for-ukra...
Advice
Government Advice – Visas and Immigration
The Government is issuing advice for British nationals in Ukraine, and Ukrainian nationals in Ukraine and the UK regarding how to apply for visas and access support for family members and advice for Ukrainian nationals currently living in the UK. Please visit the UK Government website:
The Ukraine Family Visa Scheme is now OPEN for both immediate and extended family members. It is free to apply, more details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-ukraine-family-scheme-visa
From Tuesday 15 March, if you are outside the UK and hold a valid Ukrainian passport, you will no longer need to provide your biometric information from overseas to apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme. This means you will not need to attend an in-person appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). You can instead complete your application online.
Before 15 March, you should apply to the scheme using the current process of submitting the online form and booking an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
You must provide a valid email when you submit your application as we will need to contact you with more guidance on the travel process.
UKVI dedicated helpline for family members of British Nationals normally living in Ukraine and intending to apply for a visa under the Family Migration route:
+44 808 164 8810 (0808 164 8810 if you’re in the UK).
If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers, please use +44 (0)175 390 7510.
Freephone number – lines open 24/7
Ukraine Advice Project: has been set up by a group of volunteer legal professionals with immigration/asylum expertise to provide free UK immigration and asylum advice to Ukrainian citizens affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. More information here: https://advice-ukraine.co.uk/
To request advice, please email ukraine@freemovement.org.uk with some details of your circumstances and advice needed and they will do their best to connect you to a lawyer.
Immigration Advice Service is offering free advice sessions to Ukrainians: https://iasservices.org.uk/visa-concessions-for-ukrainians-in-the-uk/
Immigration advice services:
Immigration Advice Service: is offering Ukrainian nationals free immigration advice regarding their options to come to the UK. For anyone affected, all they need to do is visit their website here: https://iasservices.org.uk/visa-concessions-for-ukrainians-in-the-uk/ and fill out the contact form. A member of their team will then be in touch within 24 hours.
Waltham Forest Migrant Action: https://wfma.org.uk/ runs a weekly Support Centre offering migrant visitors free advice on immigration, accommodation and welfare issues, as well as signposting to other organisations that can help. 10:00am-12:30pm every Friday
Blackhorse Road Baptist Church Hall, 65 Blackhorse Road, E17 7AS
Telephone: 07496 394 175
Email: supportcentre@wfma.org.uk
Hackney Migrant Centre: https://hackneymigrantcentre.org.uk/ supports refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants in need through the provision of free advice on immigration, welfare and health.
To book an appointment call 07961 014182 between 10am and 11:30am, on Mondays only.
Praxis: https://www.praxis.org.uk/ provide free immigration advice over the phone on Wednesday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm and on Thursday mornings from 10am to 12.30pm.
To speak with an adviser, you can call 020 7749 7608 or 020 7749 7605.
Ramfel: http://www.ramfel.org.uk/ is a charity that supports vulnerable migrants to access justice and that provides vital support in moments of individual crisis.
Telephone advice line open for new clients on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 - 13:00. You can ring 02070525212
Asylum Aid: https://asylumaid.org.uk/ provide legal advice and representation.
Other support agencies:
UNHCR: https://help.unhcr.org/ukraine/ provides an overview of help both within and outside Ukraine.
ICRC: Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Crossin Ukraine: https://twitter.com/ICRC_ua
Refugees at home: Connect with charities who match you with refugees or asylum seekers in need of somewhere to stay. Hosts must be vetted, so start the process today! https://www.refugeesathome.org
I can host: https://icanhelp.host/ is trying to find homes for displaced Ukrainian people.
Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain: https://www.augb.co.uk/about-the-augb.php
If you are a Walthamstow resident and need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office on 0208 521 1223 or office@workingforwalthamstow.org.uk
Please note the above links have been shared with my office- I am not affiliated with any of these organisations and am not involved in the running of any of the fundraising or support initiatives.