March 23, 2023
Support for Ukraine community update for hosts in South Cambridgeshire, as well as District Councillors, community coordinators and parish council colleagues.
Contents
Moving On Information Event – online TODAY
If your guests missed out on the Moving On Information event at Sawston Village College on 09 March, then there is another chance for them to attend an online event this evening. The event will give information on the options available for those who are now considering Moving On to live more independently, or if their host has asked them to leave. Please share these details with your guests.
Today’s FREE online Moving On event – Thursday 23 March, 6pm to 7.30pm. Zoom link to join (no need to book, just log on) – https://bit.ly/HomesForUkraine-MovingOnOptionsVirtualEvent
In October 2022, the Council offered hosts an additional £150 per month to assist with the cost of hosting guests. As an opt in scheme, this requires hosts to complete an additional form to receive the payment. The government has since announced that once a guest has been in the UK for 12 months, the payments will increase to £500 per month.
As a high proportion of hosts have opted-in to receive the additional £150 and based on the government announcement, the Council will be paying all hosts who have hosted for 12 months the £500 per month from April 2023 automatically. This will remove the need for hosts to opt in and will simplify the administration of payments.
FREE English Classes at Cottenham, Sawston, Waterbeach
In partnership with A Learning Place (ALP), the Council is providing free, weekly English classes in the following villages:
Cottenham – Tuesdays 17.30
Sawston – Thursdays 16.15, 17.30 and 18.45
Waterbeach – Wednesdays 16.30 and 17.40
Adults and young people can enrol as learners; younger children are welcome to come along (toys and activities provided). New learners are always welcome; various levels of English can be accommodated- please contact Amy on 07753 282967, hello@alearningplace.co.uk or complete our short form: www.bit.ly/ALP-English-classes.
FREE Courses available to guests
Please could you share the following information with any guests who would like to join courses which are run by The Workers’ Educational Association (WEA). The courses run throughout the Spring and Ukrainian guests can join for free. All courses are free to the residents of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough aged 19+ who are either on benefits or on a low income. To register on the courses or skills check meetings (which are held prior to some courses to determine ability level), please quote the course reference either online at wea.org.uk or by ringing 0300 303 34 64.
Teaching Assistant qualifications and Teaching qualifications
Teaching Assistant Course: Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges – Cambridge, St Luke’s Church. Ref: C2229287 Start date: 28/03/2023 at 9:45am Schools, Parenting and Child Development, Helping in Schools: Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges (C2229287) (wea.org.uk)
Introduction to Teaching Adults in the Community – April – this will be a face-to-face course in Peterborough. Ref: C2229457 Start date: 18/04/2023 Schools, Parenting and Child Development, Helping in Schools: Introduction to Teaching Adults in the Community (C2229457) (wea.org.uk)
Intro to IAG
Introduction to Information, Advice and Guidance – June, face to face in Peterborough. Ref: C2229464 Start date: 06/06/2023 Professional Development, Preparation for work: Introduction to Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) (C2229464) (wea.org.uk)
Community Interpreting
Skills Check Meetings (required before joining any Community Interpreting courses). Online via Zoom on Thursday 30 March 2023. Time: 09:15 to 12:15. Ref: C2229764 Enrol here
https://enrolonline.wea.org.uk/Online/2022/CourseInfo.aspx?r=C2229764
or
Wednesday 26 April 2023. Time: 9:15 to 12:15. Ref: C2229765 Enrol here
https://enrolonline.wea.org.uk/Online/2022/CourseInfo.aspx?r=C2229765
Marketing for Starting Your Own Business
Cambridgeshire – Marketing for Starting Your Own Business (Taster), online. Ref: C2229040 Start date: 19/04/2023 2:30pm Using Computers, Mobile Devices, Software & Social Media, Creating Publicity: Cambridgeshire – Marketing for Starting Your Own Business (Taster) (C2229040) (wea.org.uk)
Cambridgeshire – Marketing for Starting Your Own Business, online. Ref: C2229041
26/04/2023 – 24/05/2023 Wed 2:30pm Using Computers, Mobile Devices, Software & Social Media, Computer Skills for Work: Cambridgeshire – Marketing for Starting Your Own Business (C2229041) (wea.org.uk)
Tenancy Courses
A Home of Your Own – Tenancy Rights and Responsibilities, online. Ref: C2229290 Start date: 27/04/2023 Personal Development, Life Skills: A Home of Your Own – Tenancy Rights and Responsibilities (C2229290) (wea.org.uk)
Developing Self Confidence Courses
Developing Self Confidence – Viva Theatre in Soham, Ely, face-to-face. Ref: C2229817 Start date: 12/05/2023 Healthy Living: Developing Self Confidence (C2229817) (wea.org.uk)
Parenting Courses
Help your Child with Difficult Behaviour and Anxiety – Hampton Children and Family Centre, Peterborough. Ref: C2229783 Start date: 18/04/2023 Schools, Parenting and Child Development, Supporting your Child: Help your Child with Difficult Behaviour and Anxiety (C2229783) (wea.org.uk)
Help your child with English and Maths – The Focus Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Peterborough. Ref: C2229462 Start date: 25/04/2023 Schools, Parenting and Child Development, Child Development: Help your child with English and Maths (C2229462) (wea.org.uk)
Other Online Qualifications include qualifications for Support Work in School, Caring for Children & Young People, Diploma in Leadership, Functional Skills in English and in Maths.
Easter Holiday Fun for Guest Children
If guest families are looking for Easter holiday activities for their children, please let them know about the Easter HAF programme, funded by the Department for Education, which runs between 3–14 April 2023 (excluding bank holidays). Children in receipt of income-related free school meals can access a holiday scheme for up to 16 hours. There are over 120 participating schemes which are now taking bookings and which can offer enriching experiences, a daily meal and snacks. Ukrainian and other refugee families are eligible to attend, as well as families struggling financially.
Free English Classes: The Council is funding an English language teaching project for Ukrainian guests run by The Cambridge Russian-Speaking Society (CamRuSS) at St Andrew’s Street Baptist Church, Cambridge CB2 3AR. Contact Irina Tsepova on irvik59zepova@gmail.com for more information. The Society’s other services include free English language conversation group meetings, guided tours of Cambridge in Ukrainian for newly-arrived guests and a helpline for Ukrainian refugees and their host families with a translation service on 05603 025975 (9am-6pm weekdays & 10am-5pm Saturdays).
Barnardo’s Workshops to Support Hosts: During March, the children’s charity Barnardo’s is supporting host families with free online workshops on Zoom. Responding to challenges (week commencing 20 March) looking at what can be helpful when dealing with difficult situations and emotions. Understanding people’s rights (week commencing 27 March) exploring people’s rights, including children’s rights. See www.bookwhen.com/barnardos-workshops or contact hostfamilyworkshops@barnardos.org.uk
Bus Travel Scheme ending but current tickets valid to 31st July: The welcome offer to newly-arriving guests of free tickets for ten days of bus travel will end on 31 March. Anyone with unused travel tickets can still make use of them up until 31 July. The tickets were made available by Stagecoach working in partnership with local councils during the initial phase of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Newspreviously shared here can be found on our Support for Ukraine webpage and the Ukrainian Guest information hub which we encourage you to share with your guests who should be able to switch to view in their own language.
Thank you for taking the time to read this latest update and for your help in communicating this important information to your guests, and for your continued support.
Bill
Bill Handley
Lead Cabinet Member for Communities
South Cambridgeshire District Council