April 13, 2023
Support for Ukraine community update for hosts in South Cambridgeshire, as well as District Councillors, community coordinators and parish council colleagues.
Contents
Translated Newsletters for Guests
Please be aware that last week we sent the first translated Guest Newsletter out, packed with information for guests who are on our email list. Some of the items in this newsletter will have been included in the Guest Newsletter, but please do mention these items to your guests in case they have questions or need help accessing further information. We are constantly updating our email lists and if any of your guests are not yet on our list but would like to receive the new newsletter direct to their personal Inbox, then please ask them to email us at duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk
Buddying – for Families Who Want to Share
For families who are at the Moving On stage of their time in the UK and are now looking for independent accommodation, we wanted to remind people that we have a scheme to help two families share a property.
We know that private rental is very expensive locally and sharing accommodation can bring down the cost, so it is more affordable. We are encouraging guests to consider all options as renting alone may not be affordable and the availability of properties is also limited.
Sharing accommodation is an option for all guests, whether they receive benefits or not.
Our team will support people who are keen on sharing to explore the option, and we will help try to match them with another family where possible too. Guests can contact HFULiaison@Scambs.gov.uk or call on 01954 713411 for more information.
House available for buddying: We have been offered a large house in Great Wilbraham, perfect for ‘buddying’, which two families could rent together.
The house is partly furnished and has 4 bedrooms, lots of living space and an enclosed garden. The village has a number of facilities, including a village shop, a primary school and a daily bus service to Cambridge City Centre. Secondary-age children attend nearby Bottisham Village College.
The Ukraine Liaison Team can offer support with setting up the tenancy and, depending on guests’ income, may also be able to help with money towards the rent deposit and furniture. There is a local group of residents in Great Wilbraham already supporting Ukrainian refugees in the village who would be there to help. For more information, please contact us on hfuliaison@scambs.co.uk or call 01954 713411.
Please let your guests know there is a furniture scheme available from the Council to help with essential items when they move into independent accommodation, providing families with furniture items up to the value of £2,000. These items will be delivered directly to their new home and they can choose from the list below:
- 2-seater sofa
- 3-seater sofa
- Double bed with mattress
- Single bed with mattress
- Wardrobe
- Bedding (double and/or single), including pillows and duvet
- Cooker, including fitting
- Fridge freezer
- Under counter fridge and/or freezer
- Washing machine
Please note, this scheme has qualifying criteria and every application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that guests are eligible. If you would like more information, please contact our Moving On team on HFULiaison@scambs.gov.uk or 01954 713411.
Nature courses to help wellbeing of young Ukrainians
Please alert your guests who have children and teenagers aged between 8 and 17 of two free outdoor-based nature programmes which are designed to help improve the wellbeing of young Ukrainians. The two programmes will be running over the next couple of months in the South Cambridgeshire area.
For young people aged 12-17 years: At Wandlebury Country Park starting from 17 May, the 8-week Nature in Mind course will be run by Find Your Wild and supports mental wellbeing for young people in small groups (max of 12) with free outdoor activities in a woodland park setting, making the most of the natural environment. The sessions will be run by skilled activity instructors and youth workers with a Wellbeing officer who speaks Ukrainian. The course runs on Wednesdays 4-6pm beginning on 17 and 24 May, with a break for a week (half term) and then continuing to run again from 7 June to 12 July. See the Council’s website for more information and to register for the scheme.
For children aged 8-11 years: This programme is run by Forest School at Milton Country Park on Friday afternoons from 4-6pm. It aims to encourage children to learn in a natural setting to help develop their confidence and self-esteem with a programme featuring bushcraft skills, playing games, making friends, building dens, pond-dipping, treasure hunts and more. The 8-week scheme is run by Cambridge Sport Lakes Trust in partnership with the Council. Forest School learning materials will provided for children to continue learning at home. Those wishing to attend should meet at the Wild Place at Milton Country Park from 4-6pm on the following dates: 12/19/26 May, 9/16/23/30 June and 7 July.
Free English Classes at Cottenham, Sawston, Waterbeach: In partnership with A Learning Place (ALP), the Council provides free weekly English classes in Cottenham (Tuesdays 17.30), Sawston (Thursdays 16.15, 17.30, 18.45) and Waterbeach (Wednesdays 16.30, 17.40). Adults and young people can enrol; younger children welcome (toys and activities provided). Contact Amy on 07753 282967, hello@alearningplace.co.uk or complete our short form: www.bit.ly/ALP-English-classes.
Free English Classes from CamRuSS: The Council funds an English language teaching project for Ukrainian guests run by 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 guests and hosts with a translation service available on 05603 025975 (9am-6pm weekdays & 10am-5pm Saturdays).
FREE Courses available to guests: Ukrainian guests can access free courses run by The Workers’ Educational Association (WEA). To register on the courses or skills check meetings (which are held prior to some courses to determine ability level), guests should apply either online at wea.org.uk or by ringing 0300 303 34 64. Courses include:
Teaching Assistant qualifications and Teaching qualifications 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 Schools, Parenting and Child Development, Helping in Schools: Introduction to Teaching Adults in the Community (C2229457) (wea.org.uk)
Introduction to Information, Advice and Guidance Professional Development, Preparation for work: Introduction to Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) (C2229464) (wea.org.uk)
Community Interpreting Online Skills Check Meetings Wednesday 26 April 2023, 9.15-12.15. https://enrolonline.wea.org.uk/Online/2022/CourseInfo.aspx?r=C2229765
Marketing for Starting Your Own Business (Taster) Using Computers, Mobile Devices, Software & Social Media, Creating Publicity: Cambridgeshire – Marketing for Starting Your Own Business (Taster) (C2229040) (wea.org.uk) or Using Computers, Mobile Devices, Software & Social Media, Computer Skills for Work: Cambridgeshire – Marketing for Starting Your Own Business (C2229041) (wea.org.uk)
Tenancy Courses Personal Development, Life Skills: A Home of Your Own – Tenancy Rights and Responsibilities (C2229290) (wea.org.uk)
Developing Self Confidence Courses Healthy Living: Developing Self Confidence (C2229817) (wea.org.uk)
Parenting Courses Schools, Parenting and Child Development, Supporting your Child: Help your Child with Difficult Behaviour and Anxiety (C2229783) (wea.org.uk) orSchools, 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.
Ukrainian Employment Survey: Please could you make your guests aware of our Ukrainian Employment/Skills Survey. This is designed to help provide us with a picture on how we can best support guests into suitable employment. The Government has confirmed that Ukrainian refugees are able to work in the UK for up to three years. South Cambridgeshire District Council is collaborating with local partners, communities, and businesses to ensure we understand the barriers Ukrainian guests are facing in finding suitable employment.
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, 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