News / Ukraine
Extra £1m pledged to support Ukrainian refugees in Bristol
An extra £1 million of support has been pledged towards helping the hundreds of Ukrainian refugees in Bristol.
Since March last year 816 people from Ukraine fleeing the ongoing war have arrived in Bristol, including 217 children.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme launched in March last year. An approved sponsor can enable a visa for a Ukrainian to enter Britain, host them in their own home, and get paid by the council to cover the extra costs for household bills.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol City Council has received extra government funding to help support Ukrainians to find rented homes, employment support, English classes, or help sponsors host refugees. The cabinet signed off the extra cash during a public meeting on Tuesday, October 3.
Labour councillor Tom Renhard said: “Bristol City Council’s excellent refugee resettlement team has been coordinating the Homes for Ukraine scheme in Bristol.
They’ve done a really amazing job preventing homelessness by supporting clients and hosts, and finding alternative accommodation in the private rental sector.
“That’s reflected in the fact there’s been very low numbers of clients who have needed homelessness temporary accommodation, because of the work the team has been doing. But as the war continues, there are ongoing homelessness pressures for this cohort.”
According to a cabinet report, out of the 816 arrivals, 296 people are still living with hosts; 268 have moved into rented accommodation in Bristol; 28 have made their own arrangements; 10 are staying in temporary accommodation; 79 have moved elsewhere in the country; and 133 have left the country, with some going back to Ukraine.
Volunteers in Bristol are continuing to send donations to Ukraine, with a van due to leave next week full of supplies.
Labour councillor Brenda Massey said: “Our local group, From Bristol with Love for Ukraine, continues to send van loads of provisions including food and medical equipment to Ukraine. The next van load is hoping to leave on October 12.”
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees added: “It has been amazing watching the city step up on so many occasions to support people who are among the most negatively impacted by events in the world at the moment.”
Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter for Bristol.
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Continuing to provide much needed aid for the people of Ukraine
- Banksy releases footage of artworks on Ukraine’s crumbling buildings
- War memorial wrapped in Ukraine flag to mark first anniversary of invasion
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