Support for Ukrainian Refugees (Updated 1 August)
Under the auspices of the Shrivenham Parish Council (PC) a Team of Volunteers has been set up to help our Community provide support for Ukraine Refugees. The Shrivenham Refugee Support Team (SRST) includes PC members, St Andrews Church and volunteers from the community.
The SRST has been extended into a Shrivenham Refugee Support Network (SRSN). It continues to grow; volunteers are welcome. The aim of this network is to share information and help coordinate our support to the refugee families hosted within our Community. We work closely with Sanctuary Faringdon.
In Faringdon and the surrounding villages/countryside there are over 50 Ukrainian refugees, mainly women and children, making up more than 20 families. Already, around 15 Ukrainian refugee students have started attending Faringdon Community College and primary schools in our communities.
We forecast that the total number of families in our area is likely to exceed 30, including families that are expected to arrive in Uffington, Ashbury, Longcot and Bourton. We can expect that refugee families will be hosted by local families for at least 6 months, and for some much longer.
We anticipate that support for refugees is likely to be required for some time, until they can safely return to Ukraine. Most of the refugees are women and children. We expect that many in our local community will wish to do something, however modest, to help.
Ways to Support Refugees
Cash Donations. We recommend cash donations. Donations can be made easily through well-established Organisations/Charities such as the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) which includes 15 Aid Agencies, Red Cross, Rotary International etc. For those wishing to support refugees in our local area, the White Horse Rotary Faringdon has recently launched an appeal to help support locally hosted refugee families in our communities. Enquiries to Rotarians Gordon Hughes or Bjorn Watson
Cash is quick, hassle-free, easy to transfer and effective.
Essential Items. We have now closed our local collection points and stopped our Collection/Delivery Plan for essential items. However, if anyone wishes to make a special delivery to the Swindon Humanitarian Refugee Support Hub for onward transportation they should make direct contact with Phoenix Enterprises, Elgin Industrial Estate, Swindon, SN2 8EJ. Telephone: 01793 542321
Hosting/Sponsorship of Refugees. The UK Government has set up a Refugee Scheme to enable organizations/charities and families to host refugees. Refugees hosted in Shrivenham and surrounding Villages may require some local community support.
Contact Information:
Bjorn Watson, PC Focal Point, E: bjornwatson@btinternet.com M: 0797 3373522
Gordon Hughes, Plan Coordinator, E: gordon.yewtree@gmail.com M: 0778 7821218
Julia Jones, Parish Councillor, Outreach, E: juliaturnerjones@yahoo.com M: 0744 3924381
Lewie Hilsdon, Hall Manager, Information, hallmanager@shrivenham.org M: 07838681344
Rose-Anne O’Hare, Volunteer, E: roseanne.o@outlook.com M: 07792442799
David Watson, Church Warden, E: shrivenhamchurchwarden@outlook.com M:07393050923
Useful Websites
Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)
https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
Homes for Ukraine - Government Website: Record your Interest
https://www.gov.uk/register-interest-homes-ukraine
Homes for Ukraine: What do I need to do to host refugees in the UK?
Sanctuary Faringdon - Resources and links for those who live in Faringdon and the surrounding area
https://sanctuaryfaringdon.weebly.com
Sanctuary Foundation - supporting new arrivals from Ukraine
https://www.sanctuaryfoundation.org.uk
Sanctuary Faringdon: Frequently asked Questions and Checklists
https://sanctuaryfaringdon.weebly.com/host-checklists--resources.html
Reset - Homes for Ukraine
https://resetuk.org/about/ukraine
BBC - How can I offer a UK home to Ukrainian Refugees
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/60735121
Top Tips - A Personal Perspective from a Host Family in Shrivenham
If you are thinking of hosting a family from Ukraine, then here are some things to think about:
Although there are many things to consider and help them with once they are with you, and at times it may seem hard, remember the enormity of what you are doing for them far outweighs the additional admin. You are literally changing their lives.