Local residents are taking the initiative when it comes to helping Ukrainian refugees find a temporary home in our area, and continue to help fundraising efforts to help all displaced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Here are details of more local groups and other support for refugees, both Ukrainian and others.
The Caton and Friends of Ukraine Facebook Group has actively been working on donations for Ukrainian refugees who have fled their war-torn country, and begun trying to assist in matching up willing local residents offering rooms to those looking to come to the UK.
Fundraising activities by the Group now include plans for a Cross Bay Walk on 24th April 2022. More details here on Facebook.
Meanwhile, local resident Mandy Whitehouse has just begun a new Facebook group Lancaster hosting Ukrainians for mutual support, sharing information and, hopefully, organising events once our refugees arrive.
“I have been involved in Friends of Chernobyl’s Children – Lancaster for many years,” Mandy explains on Facebook, “and am a volunteer with East Meets West Lancaster. I would really like to make contact with some Ukrainians living in Lancaster who may be able to help us with interpreting and translation. Please ask them to join the group and/or message me if they would like to be involved.”
Many local people have been trying to find out who to contact within Lancaster City or Lancashire County Council about Refugee Support.
Novs Elfallous, the Refugee Resettlement Operations Manager for Lancashire County Council heads up a team coordinating Refugee Resettlement across all the councils.
She has stated the Council will not be matching refugees to willing residents who have signed up on the government’s Homes for Ukraine site, but are advising groups and individuals to work with their colleagues, Reset, as this is the safest way to make contact with hopeful refugees.
“We will be providing families with Family Support Workers,” she states, “and Sponsors will have a Support Worker along with access to free resources and training.”
A small Lancaster charity Refugee Advocacy Information and Support (RAIS) provides information and support for refugees and asylum seekers from all over the world. They have been getting lots of requests from people wanting to know how to give accommodation to Ukrainian families as the government currently appears to want kindhearted people to find a family to sponsor themselves.
If anyone knows of any Ukranians trying to come to the UK and you are happy for RAIS to pass on your details please email Fariha Blockley at the charity at fariha@rais.org.uk.
Fariha is also trying to put together a database of interpreters for when families arrive. “Again if you would be happy to help as an interpreter please contact me,” she says.
Please be aware RAIS is a small charity and are already stretched so please be patient if Fariha don’t respond to emails straight away. “However like all of you we will do everything we can to help our friends from Ukraine,” she says.