Category: Uncategorized

Ukraine – Support for Ukraine Community Update

Dear hosts, volunteer coordinators and parish council colleagues

We hope you all had an enjoyable and relaxing festive break and would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year and reiterate our heartfelt thanks for all you are doing to help support Ukrainian guests to our district.

This regular ‘Support for Ukraine community update’ will continue to provide our hosts in South Cambridgeshire, as well District Councillors, community coordinators and parish council colleagues, with relevant information relating to the Homes for Ukraine scheme. News previously 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. Please also check-in on the important notes at the bottom of the newsletter.

Updated Hosting Survey

As many of you are aware, the government recently announced changes and additional funding for the Homes for Ukraine scheme. One of the biggest changes is to host payments, which are being extended.

We want to ensure that we have an accurate and up-to-date log of our hosts’ intentions so we can plan our support accordingly. Next week, all hosts will receive an email from us which will include an online survey.

The purpose of this survey is so we can understand the likely duration of your hosting agreement and to provide you with a chance to give us some feedback. We appreciate that hosts have now completed several online surveys for us, but these are vital to us in managing this complex project. We ask that you please complete this survey as soon as you can when you receive it. Thank you once again for your support as hosts, which has helped so many Ukrainian people through the most traumatic of times.

Returning Guests

If your guests originally left your property, but are now wishing to return to you, then please let us know. Notify us on HFULiaison@scambs.gov.uk and complete our arrivals form, which can be found here, once your guest/s have arrived.

Campaign for more Hosts

We are still searching for new potential hosts who would like to apply to re-match existing guests through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Our ‘Spare Room’ campaign is run in conjunction with Cambridge City Council, featuring across our social media channels (Facebook  Twitter and LinkedIn), on digital indoor and outdoor signage, in local Sky television ads and in the local press. If you are interested in hosting, or know of someone else who may be interested, please take a look at our website for information and for details of the support available to new hosts.

Our pool of hosts stood at over 600 when the Homes for Ukraine scheme first launched last year, but this has now reduced considerably. We need help finding more so that, where possible, Ukrainian guests are able to stay with alternative hosts close to where they have previously been living. Anyone who can offer help simply needs to text ROOM to 88802.

January’s Healthy You Festival

In conjunction with Living Sport and other local city and district councils, we are running a FREE, month-long online health and wellbeing festival Healthy You Virtual Festival 2023 up until 31 January.

All activities will be free, online and suitable for beginners. Sessions will include healthy eating workshops; wellbeing during the menopause classes; tasters for activities ranging from Pilates and Yoga to T’ai Chi and Salsa; strength training for the over 50s; and a chance to try out the exercise referral scheme which supports people with long term health conditions to get active. Pre-register online to receive the full timetable and updates about the festival programme.

Help us understand the employment needs of your guests

We would be grateful if you could make your guests aware of our Ukrainian Employment/Skills Survey. This is designed to give us with a picture of how we can best support guests into suitable employment. Ukrainian refugees are able to work in the UK for up to three years and we are collaborating with local partners, communities, and businesses to ensure we understand the barriers they may face in finding suitable employment.

CamRuss – helping guests

Before Christmas, we told you about the first cohort of Ukrainian guests who had completed English classes with The Cambridge Russian-Speaking Society (CamRuss), which is supported by South Cambridgeshire District Council. 

The Society’s English language teaching project has been running since guests first started to arrive in our district last April and is supported by more than 30 volunteers and 20 teachers and assistants.

CamRuss also runs a Helpline to facilitate communication between Ukrainian refugees and their host families by providing a translation service (Russian, English and Ukrainian). The Helpline on 05603 025975 runs from 9am-6pm weekdays and 10am-5pm on Saturdays. Many other activities and support services are available.


Free weekly English classes – Cottenham, Sawston & Waterbeach

Guests can take advantage of free weekly English lessons in Cottenham, Sawston and Waterbeach via A Learning Place which is working in partnership with the Council.

The lessons for adults and young people take place at Cottenham on Tuesdays from 5:30pm; in Sawston on Thursdays starting at 4:15pm, 5:30pm or 6:45pm; and in Waterbeach on Wednesdays at 4:30pm and 5:40pm.  Younger children are welcome to attend – toys and activities will be provided. Please contact Amy on 07753 282967, hello@alearningplace.co.uk or guests can complete our short form if they want to come along.

Other New Year English Courses

A range of new ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses are also available from the WEA (Workers Educational Association) to attend in-person starting this month. Guests can find out which English courses are best for them at two ESOL Skills Check sessions where they can talk in-person to a friendly team who can help.

There is no need to register in advance – guests should just go along to St Andrew’s Street Baptist Church, 40-43 St Andrew’s St, Cambridge, CB2 3AR on 11 January, 10am to 3pm, or 13 January, 12pm to 3pm. Or they can register online by visiting www.wea.org.uk.

Classes will be at the following times:

Online evening courses will also start to run this month. Guests can register for one of the online Zoom Skills Check meetings below on 12 or 16 January, 2023. Please register as soon as possible to secure your place via the following links:

If they are unable to register online, please call on 0300 3033464 quoting the course reference number. The timetable for the new online evening class groups will be: Entry 1 Mon and Wed 7pm; Entry 2 Tue and Thu 7pm; Entry 3/Level 1 Wed and Thu 6:30pm.

Other courses available

From this month, WEA will also be offering Level 1 and Level 2 Community Interpreting courses for anyone who speaks more than one language and is interested in volunteering or working as an interpreter and helping their local community.

Skills Check – Community Interpreting Level 1 and Level 2 courses

Skills Check Meetings for Community Interpreting courses are Online via Zoom – Dates:

UK Driving Theory for ESOL Learners – Online course

For guests who don’t have a driving licence, this online course will help them pass the theory test. For those who do have a driving licence, it will help them understand the rules of driving in the UK. It will run from 16 January to 13 March, 2023, 12pm to 2pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. To enrol for free quote the course reference C2229100 either online at wea.org.uk or by ringing 0300 3033464. Citizenship: UK Driving Theory for ESOL Learners (C2229100) (wea.org.uk)

Join in by volunteering

Start the New Year by getting out into your local community as a volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to make new friends – it can change lives, fight isolation and improve wellbeing, confidence and skills, while making our communities better places to live. The experience of volunteering can even sometimes lead to, or help with, acquiring paid work.

Ukrainian guests who would like to volunteer can find useful information on the Cambridge Council for Voluntary Services (CCVS) website. The charity also holds virtual coffee mornings where guests can meet someone from a local community group and find out about their work and what volunteering opportunities are available. The next virtual coffee morning is on 11 January. To find out more and register please email ellie@cambridgecvs.org.uk

Free bikes available for guests

The Free Bikes for Ukrainians scheme will continue to run in 2023. Guests who would like to have a free bike can apply for one via one of the Council’s three partner charities Owl Bikes, Camtrust and Tag Bikes. To find out more about the Free Bikes for Ukrainians scheme, see the Local Travel Support section of our Ukrainian Guest Information Hub. 

Hosts can also apply online on behalf of their guests. Donations of more bicycles will be gratefully received by all three charities, as well as unwanted helmets, spare tyres and parts.

Reminder: Small Grants to help reduce social isolation for guests

Our small grants scheme also continues into 2023 and local groups can still apply for up to £300 from the Council to help fund events aimed at reducing social isolation for Ukrainian guests.

Hosts can also apply (with the written support of their Parish Council or District Councillor/s for the project) providing the event or project extends beyond their own household and into the wider Ukrainian community, for example a number of grants were given for social events leading up to the festive period. Criteria, guidance and an application form can be found on our website. Or for more information, email ukraine.grants@scambs.gov.uk

IMPORTANT NOTES

All hosts will receive information from us relating to DBS checks, accommodation checks, £350 monthly host and £350 one-off guest payments from the Government; plus additional ‘opt-in’ payments of £150 per month from this Council which we are paying to hosts in the district to help with extra costs such as rising energy bills. Once hosts have sponsored a guest for one year, their £350 payment from the Government will increase to £500 per month.  For questions not covered in this update or on our Support for Ukraine webpages, please email duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk

Thank you for taking the time to read this latest update. We hope that it is useful for you and your guests, and we thank you for your continued support.

Bill

Bill Handley

Lead Cabinet Member for Communities

South Cambridgeshire District Council

Road Closure – High Street Earith

Road closure – High Street Earith

Dates: 10th January – 13th January 2023 – all day full closure for works by Cambridge Water

Emergency Access maintained. Detour in place, closed at the bridge to Colne Road

Permit ID: CKOOID23440510CL

Cambridge Water contact – 0345 045 5212

For more information go to https://one.network/ and use the Live Map to locate High Street Earith and click on the information links.

Ukraine – further update

Further to the newsletter just sent to you, please note that the link for guests to complete the Ukrainian Employment/Skills Survey is here and not as given on the newsletter.

Kind regards,

Nikki Casey | Homes for Ukraine Project Officer

Ukraine – Update

Dear hosts, volunteer coordinators and parish council colleagues

Welcome to everyone, and especially to new hosts. This regular ‘Support for Ukraine community update’ contains information for hosts in South Cambridgeshire, as well District Councillors, community coordinators and parish council colleagues. News previously 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. Please also check-in on the important notes at the bottom of the newsletter.

Government announcement on future funding for Homes for Ukraine scheme

Many of you will by now have heard the news (reported in last week’s newsletter) of the further financial support from the Government for the thousands of families who opened up their homes to Ukrainians fleeing the war in their country. You can read further details of this on the Government website.


The main points are:

  • Homes for Ukraine hosts are to receive £500 a month as a ‘thank you’ for ongoing support after the first year of sponsorship
  • £150m additional funding for councils across the UK to help support Ukrainian guests move into their own homes and to reduce the risk of homelessness
  • Councils in England to get new £500m fund to acquire housing stock for those fleeing conflict (including from Ukraine and Afghanistan) and to reduce homelessness
  • New potential hosts are urged to come forward and apply to re-match existing guests through the scheme.

The national change to increase the host thank you payment takes place once a guest has been sponsored for one year, while the standard thank you payment for hosts will remain at £350 until the one-year mark. This Council’s offer of a £150 opt-in top up thank you payment (in response to the cost-of-living crisis for the first 12 months of hosting) will remain. Those who have already opted in will continue to receive the increased £500 payment.

We plan to ask hosts for your views in the New Year via a survey which will help us understand how we can continue to provide the best support possible.

Christmas in South Cambs

Here are a few notes about the Christmas period for your guests – please do share the following item with them (also translated below):

Lots of people across the UK will be getting ready to celebrate Christmas. Many of you may be particularly missing home and loved ones at this time of year, as well as Christmas traditions from Ukraine. We hope that you will feel able to share your traditions with your hosts and others in the community, and that you are able to enjoy the festive period with those around you. We thought it might be useful to provide a brief introduction to Christmas in the UK, so you know what to expect.

We hope you have an opportunity to take a break over the festive period and spend time with loved ones.

Різдво в Кембриджі

Багато людей у Великій Британії будуть готуватися до святкування Різдва. Багато з вас, можливо, особливо сумують за домом і близькими в цю пору року, а також за різдвяними традиціями України. Ми сподіваємося, що ви зможете поділитися своїми традиціями з вашими приймаючими сторонами та іншими членами громади, і що ви зможете насолодитися святами з тими, хто вас оточує. Ми подумали, що було б корисно коротко розповісти про Різдво у Великій Британії, щоб ви знали, чого очікувати.

Ми сподіваємося, що у вас буде можливість відпочити впродовж святкових днів та провести час із близькими.


Well done to our Graduates!

Congratulations to the first cohort of our Ukrainian guests who have completed English classes with The Cambridge Russian-Speaking Society (CamRuss), which is supported by South Cambridgeshire District Council.  Their achievements were marked with a graduation ceremony last Saturday.

The Society launched its English language teaching project in April as our host families started to welcome the first Ukrainian guests fleeing the war. More than 30 volunteers, supported by 20 teachers and assistants, were involved in delivering the Society’s English classes to 90 students between April and July, followed by another intake of 90 students from September.

CamRuss also runs a Helpline to facilitate communication between Ukrainian refugees and their host families by providing a translation service (Russian, English and Ukrainian). The Helpline on 05603 025975 runs from 9am-6pm weekdays and 10am-5pm on Saturdays. Many other activities and support services are available.

Healthy You Festival – free wellbeing activities in January

In conjunction with Living Sport and other local city and district councils, we are running a FREE, month-long Healthy You Virtual Festival 2023 – an online health and wellbeing festival from 1 to 31 January. We invite you and your guests to pre-register now to receive updates about what’s on in the run up to the festival.

All activities will be free and hosted online, and suitable for beginners. Sessions will include healthy eating workshops; wellbeing during the menopause classes; tasters for activities ranging from Pilates and Yoga to T’ai Chi and Salsa; strength training for the over 50s; and a chance to try out the exercise referral scheme which supports people with long term health conditions to get active. Pre-register online to receive the full timetable and updates about the festival programme.


Free weekly English classes – Cottenham, Sawston and Waterbeach

In partnership with A Learning Place, 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. 

Other New Year English Courses

Please remind your guests that new ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses are available in the New Year from the WEA (Workers Educational Association). If they would like to talk to someone to work out which English courses would be best for them, then there are two ESOL Skills Check sessions available where they can talk in-person to a friendly team who can help.

There is no need to register in advance – they should just go along to St Andrew’s Street Baptist Church, 40-43 St Andrew’s St, Cambridge, CB2 3AR on:

Or they can register for the free English courses they are interested in by visiting www.wea.org.uk. The timetable for the classes will be as follows:

ESOL Evening Classes Online

WEA is also starting new ESOL classes online in the evenings from January. Guests who are interested should register at one of the online Zoom Skills Check meetings below on January 12 or 16, 2023. Please register as soon as possible to secure your place via the following links:

If they are unable to register online, please call on 0300 3033464 quoting the course reference number. The timetable for the new online evening class groups will be: 

Entry 1 Mon and Wed 7pm

Entry 2 Tue and Thu 7pm

Entry 3/Level 1 Wed and Thu 6:30pm

Other courses available

From January, WEA will also be offering Level 1 and Level 2 Community Interpreting courses for anyone who speaks more than one language and is interested in volunteering or working as an interpreter and helping their local community.

Skills Check – Community Interpreting Level 1 and Level 2 courses

Skills Check Meetings for Community Interpreting courses are Online via Zoom – Dates:

UK Driving Theory for ESOL Learners – Online course

If your guests don’t have a driving licence, this online course will help them pass the theory test or, if they do have a driving licence from their home country, it will help them understand the fundamental road rules of driving in the UK. It will run from January 16 to March 13, 2023, from 12noon to 2pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. To enrol for free please quote the course reference C2229100 either online at wea.org.uk or by ringing 0300 3033464. Citizenship: UK Driving Theory for ESOL Learners (C2229100) (wea.org.uk)

Campaign for more Hosts

Our ‘Spare Room’ campaign continues to run, encouraging more local people to join our Homes for Ukraine scheme. The campaign, run in conjunction with Cambridge City Council, continues to feature across our social media channels (Facebook Council Facebook page Twitter LinkedIn), on digital indoor and outdoor signage, in local Sky television ads and in the local press.

If you are interested in hosting, or know of someone else who may be interested, please take a look at our website for information and for details of the support available to new hosts. Anyone who can offer help simply needs to text ROOM to 88802.

Reminder: 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 face in finding suitable employment.

Reminder: Holiday and Food schemes

Guest families in receipt of income-related free school meals can apply to the Christmas Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for up to 16 hours of festive activities per child which will include a daily meal and snacks. For details about the Christmas programme click on ‘South Cambridgeshire Schemes’.

Support activities for young Ukrainian guests

A private Facebook group for young Ukrainian guests aged 13 to 19 has been set up for them to connect, chat and support each other. If you have young guests staying with you, please let them know about the group. It is administered by South Cambridgeshire District Council with an adult moderator ensuring it’s a safe and secure environment. See https://www.facebook.com/groups/1424735478018690

Young Ukrainian guests may also be interested in joining Drama Classes in the new year. The classes would be for children/teenagers of 9 to 15 years old, running on Thursdays in the first and third week of each month from 3:45pm – 5:15pm, with physical warm-ups, drama activities and games to encourage different ways of communication. To register an interest, email Sheila Gosling on sheeba3434@hotmail.com

… and finally, it’s Panto-time – FREE TICKETS available for guests!

The Cambridge Arts Theatre is offering free tickets to Ukrainian families to see its Christmas panto Dick Whittington and his Cat  on Tuesday 3rd January at 6pm. This is an opportunity for your guests to experience a quintessential British culture tradition (which you may have to explain to them in advance!). Register for free tickets here. The running time is 2hrs and 30mins, including a 20min interval.  Please be aware that there will be loud noises, haze and flashing lights during the performance.

Please note the theatre’s bag policy: In the interest of customer safety, the following items cannot be taken into the auditorium and must be stored in the cloakroom: Rucksacks or backpacks of any size, children’s rucksacks, handbags that can be worn as backpacks, handbags larger than 25cm x 35cm, shopping bags and large items such as holdalls and suitcases. Where possible, patrons should leave their bags at home.

IMPORTANT NOTES

All hosts will receive information from us relating to DBS checks, accommodation checks, £350 monthly host and £350 one-off guest payments; plus additional ‘opt-in’ payments of £150 per month which we are paying to hosts in the district to help with extra costs such as rising energy bills. For questions not covered in this update or on our Support for Ukraine webpages, please email duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk

Thank you for taking the time to read this latest update. Following a break next week for the Christmas holiday, our newsletter will return on January 5, 2023.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our hosts and guests, and all the many organisations, groups and individuals who have worked so hard during this year to welcome Ukrainian visitors to our district, a very happy and relaxing festive Noel.  Thank you so very much for all your efforts which are truly appreciated. This will be a very difficult period for many of our guests who are unable to see and spend time with their loved ones and are worried for the safety and wellbeing of family members who are enduring extremely dangerous and worrying conditions back in the Ukraine. It will be a time of reflection for all of us and we offer our reassurance of our continuing support and our prayers for a resolution to this awful conflict in the coming New Year.

My kindest regards and best wishes,

Bill

Bill Handley

Lead Cabinet Member for Communities

South Cambridgeshire District Council

Update for those supporting refugees from Ukraine – 15 December 2022

Dear hosts, volunteer coordinators and parish council colleagues

Welcome to everyone, and especially to new hosts. This regular ‘Support for Ukraine community update’ contains information for hosts in South Cambridgeshire, as well District Councillors, community coordinators and parish council colleagues.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. Please also check-in on the important notes at the bottom of the newsletter.

Government announcement on more funding for Homes for Ukraine scheme

The Government has just announced further financial support for the thousands of families who opened their homes to Ukrainians fleeing the war in their country. You can read further details of this on the Government website. As this news was only announced in the last 24 hours, we are still reviewing the detail that sits behind it. We are also expecting more clarification from Government in the coming days.

The main headlines are:

  • Homes for Ukraine hosts to receive £500 a month as a ‘thank you’ for ongoing support after a Ukrainian’s first year of sponsorship
  • £150m additional funding for councils across the UK to help support Ukrainian guests move into their own homes and reduce the risk of homelessness
  • Councils in England to get new £500m fund to acquire housing stock for those fleeing conflict (including from Ukraine and Afghanistan) and reduce homelessness
  • New potential hosts urged to come forward and apply to re-match existing guests through the scheme

It is important to note that the national change to increase host thank you payments takes place once a guest has been sponsored for one year. The standard thank you payment for hosts remains at £350 until the one-year mark. We have already offered a £150 opt in top up to thank you payments in response to the cost-of-living crisis for the first 12 months of hosting. This offer remains and those who have already opted in will continue to receive the increased £500 payment.

We plan to ask hosts for your views in the New Year to help us understand how we can continue to provide the best support possible. We will also work with you to understand your view on whether this announcement changes your view on the timeframe you are likely to want to host for. Please look out for a survey in the New Year as we really do value your feedback.

Important: School Transport

Some of our guests are now moving to other host families in other locations. Where this is the case would new hosts please ensure that those guests with school-age children are aware of the latest important advice below related to school transport arrangements.

Council Officers have been in discussion with Cambridgeshire County Council regarding school transport for Ukrainian refugees. This has been initiated for several reasons, especially due to the shrinking number of potential hosts, the difficulties we are facing rematching guests within their current location and to advise guests when they are ready to transition into independent accommodation.

The rules on school transport mean that if guests move locations, transport is only provided to the designated school that children should attend in their new location, which will be the catchment school and/or the school closest to the child’s address. This will mean it is likely that guest parents will need to talk to the County Council to arrange moving schools.

There are some circumstances whereby free travel assistance may be available to pupils on a case-by-case basis however, to qualify for this service, they must meet the eligibility criteria. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.

Campaign for more Hosts

Thank you to anyone who has responded to Our ‘Spare Room’ campaign to encourage more local people to join our Homes for Ukraine scheme. The campaign, run in conjunction with Cambridge City Council, continues to feature across our social media channels (Facebook Council Facebook page Twitter LinkedIn), on digital indoor and outdoor signage, in local Sky television ads and in the local press.

If you are interested in hosting, or know of someone else who may be interested, please take a look at our website for information and for details of the support available to new hosts. Where Ukrainian guests have been living with hosts in South Cambridgeshire but is no longer available, we are keen to find them alternative hosting close to where they have been living. Our pool of hosts stood at over 600 when the scheme launched. We now have less than 40 so we really do need help finding more. Anyone who can offer help simply needs to text ROOM to 88802.

Reminder: Holiday and Food schemes

Guest families in receipt of income-related free school meals can apply to the Christmas Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for up to 16 hours of festive activities per child which will include a daily meal and snacks. For details about the Christmas programme click on ‘South Cambridgeshire Schemes’.

Staying safe on winter roads

A reminder to cycling guests that there is one Bikeability session left before Christmas – on December 17 at Lower Cambourne Cricket Pavilion, Woodfield Lane CB23 6FY.  This session is specifically for Ukrainian guests to teach them useful skills to keep them safe on the roads, especially during dark winter evenings and in wet or icy road conditions.

To attend sign up online. The session runs from 9am to 12pm or 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Bikeability is free-of-charge, but we ask guests who sign up but are then unable to attend to please let us know by emailing to duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk

Free bikes available for guests

Guests who would like to have a free bike can apply for one via one of the Council’s three partner charities Owl Bikes, Camtrust and Tag Bikes. To find out more about the Free Bikes for Ukrainians scheme, see the Local Travel Support section of our Ukrainian Guest Information Hub. 

Hosts can apply online on behalf of their guests. Donations of more bicycles will be gratefully received by all three charities, as well as unwanted helmets, spare tyres and parts.

Reminder: Small Grants to help reduce social isolation for guests

Local groups can still apply for a small grant of £300 from the Council to help fund events aimed at reducing social isolation for Ukrainian guests. Hosts can also apply (with the written support of their Parish Council or District Councillor/s for the project) providing the event or project extends beyond their own household and into the wider Ukrainian community.

Successful previous applicants have included projects such as a graduation party, Christmas get-togethers and day trips. Criteria, guidance and an application form can be found on our website. Or for more information, email ukraine.grants@scambs.gov.uk

Even small gestures may help to make a big difference to guests who are about to spend Christmas many miles away from their homeland and without their loved ones.

Private Facebook page for young guests

Please remember that a private Facebook group exists, especially for young Ukrainian guests aged 13 to 19, for them to connect, chat and support each other. If you have young guests staying with you, please let them know about the group.

It is administered by South Cambridgeshire District Council with an adult moderator ensuring it’s a safe and secure environment. Please note, this is a group for young Ukrainians, not adults or parents. See https://www.facebook.com/groups/1424735478018690

 

Drama group for young Ukrainian guests to shine

If you have young Ukrainian guests staying with you who might be interested in joining Drama Classes in the new year, then please ask them to get in touch.

The classes would be for children/teenagers of 9 to 15 years old, running on Thursdays in the first and third week of each month from 3:45pm – 5:15pm. The agenda includes a physical warm-up, drama activities and games to encourage different ways of communication and entertainment and allowing hidden talents to shine. To register an interest, email Sheila Gosling on sheeba3434@hotmail.com

Support groups in South Cambs

The website H.A.Y. South Cambs! How Are You? promotes positive mental health in our area with details of all the fantastic organisations which give support to those experiencing a mental health crisis.

It features a dedicated page for Ukrainian guests and host families Ukrainian Guests and Host Families with details of local groups who can provide your guests with local information, cultural advice and support with English, as well as an opportunity to meet and socialise with others.

If you know of any groups in your village or local area fulfilling a similar role, please encourage them to complete the Community Support for Ukraine form. The website page includes a map making it easier to pinpoint where different support groups are situated.

IMPORTANT NOTES

All hosts will receive information from us relating to DBS checks, accommodation checks, £350 monthly host and £350 one-off guest payments; plus additional ‘opt-in’ payments of £150 per month which we are paying to hosts in the district to help with extra costs such as rising energy bills. For questions not covered in this update or on our Support for Ukraine webpages, please email duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk

Thank you for taking the time to read this latest update. We hope that it is useful for you and your guests, and we thank you for your continued support.

Bill

Bill Handley

Lead Cabinet Member for Communities

South Cambridgeshire District Council

Bin Collections

Dear Digital Champions

Firstly, my apologies for coming to you on another occasion this week. However, given your excellent links to local networks, we thought it was important to share this latest update regarding bin collections with you. Following this week’s freezing weather, we wanted to confirm the plan we have formed around how we hope to be able to catch-up on those blue and black bin collections that we have missed this week.

Here is some text that we would appreciate you sharing into your local groups and platforms. Again, an image which can be used to illustrate any text is attached.

Next week, bin crews will be trying to return to those areas which did not receive a bin collection between Monday 12 and Friday 16 December due to the freezing weather. Please note however that due to the numbers of staff and lorries that are available, this only applies to black and blue bins – not green bins. If all the blue or black bins on your street were not emptied between 12 and 16 December, please put these back out on Sunday evening and waste crews will do their best to empty them by Friday afternoon (23 December). The Council is aware of which whole streets were missed because of the mapping software used in bin lorries. If by Friday it/they have not been emptied, then the Council has apologised but will not be able to return until the next scheduled collection day. Thank you for your patience.

Alternatively, here are some social media posts that you may simply wish to re-share into your local groups:

Facebook – see post at top of news feed

Twitter

Once again, my thanks for your assistance in helping us spread messages relating to disruption to bin collections this week. We really appreciate it.

All the best,

Tom

Bin Collections in the current Weather Conditions

As a result of the snow and ice, Greater Cambridge Shared Waste bin collection crews are not able to empty bins on some streets this week. Bin lorries are only able to safely empty bins on those streets that have been gritted as it is too dangerous and slippery for the vehicles to drive down un-treated roads. The freezing temperatures have also had an impact on the trucks themselves – with bin lifting mechanics failing. The safety of bin crews must come first.

If all the bins on your street have not been emptied, we will not be able to return until the next collection day so please bring your bins back in and put them out again on your next collection day. Bin crews will then do their very best to remove additional waste left alongside wheelie bins for these properties when they come back for your next scheduled collection. For blue bins, this means one transparent clear sack of recycling plus one bundle of cardboard. Put any glass inside the blue bin and bundles of cardboard must be of a size which will fit inside an empty bin with the lid closed. For black bins, this will be up to two extra black bin bags for those households that need it. Bin crews are not able to collect additional green bin waste that is not in an authorised additional green bin.

The bin crews are working hard to try and empty as many bins as possible, and Greater Cambridge Shared Waste apologise for any inconvenience. The freezing weather conditions are making their jobs especially hard at the moment.

Ukraine Update

Dear hosts, volunteer coordinators and parish council colleagues

Welcome to everyone, and especially to new hosts. This regular ‘Support for Ukraine community update’ contains information for hosts in South Cambridgeshire, as well District Councillors, community coordinators and parish council colleagues.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. Please also check-in on the important notes at the bottom of the newsletter.

Our campaign for more Hosts continues

Our ‘Spare Room’ campaign to encourage more local people to join our Homes for Ukraine scheme is continuing. Please help us to spread the word.

The campaign, being run in conjunction with our colleagues at Cambridge City Council, is featuring across our social media channels (Facebook Council Facebook page Twitter LinkedIn), on digital indoor and outdoor signage, in local Sky television ads and in the local press, such as on local television and news stations.

If you are interested in hosting, or know of someone else who may be interested, then please take a look at our website. There is lots of information and support available for new hosts, and videos to watch where you can hear from current hosts and guests: Homes for Ukraine: Rend’s story – YouTube   Homes for Ukraine: Isobel’s story – YouTube   Homes for Ukraine: Amy’s story – YouTube

As the war in Ukraine continues, many of the families currently living with host families in South Cambridgeshire will not yet be able to return to their homeland. Where their current accommodation is no longer available, we are keen to find them alternative hosting close to where they have been living. Anyone who can offer help simply needs to text ROOM to 88802.

Help for refugees aged 15-24 to figure out future work or education opportunities

Form the Future is part of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Region of Learning and offers help to unemployed Ukrainian refugees aged 15 to 24 years old to figure out what to do next in education or employment. 

Examples of the activities available are:

  • Basic skills, such as language and numeracy 
  • Personalised CV and application writing support
  • Work experience
  • Future career path needs assessment
  • Bespoke 1:1 Career Guidance and Mentoring
  • Self-employment and micro-business training
  • Personal development and confidence building activities

Guests should register their interest, or if you have any other questions please call Form the Future on 01223 679876, or email tpluck@formthefuture.org.uk 

New year courses available for ESOL, Community Interpreting and Driving Theory

The WEA (Workers Educational Association) has announced new classes for the New Year which can be signed up to now. They will start in January and will include face to face ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses at St Andrew’s Street Baptist Church in Cambridge, as well as evening courses online. Classes in the evenings are a great opportunity for those who are unable to access morning/afternoon classes due to work or other commitments.

From January, WEA will also be offering Level 1 and Level 2 Community Interpreting courses for anyone who speaks more than one language and who is interested in volunteering or working as an interpreter and helping their local community. It is also starting a new UK Driving Theory for ESOL Learners course.

ESOL Skills Check Cambridge

These drop-in sessions allow Ukrainian guests to talk to WEA staff in-person to find the right course for them, to find out about other courses they are interested in and help them to complete a few short tasks to see what would be the best choice for them.

The Skills Check sessions will run on Wednesday January 11 10am – 3pm and Friday January 13 12pm-3pm at St Andrews Street Baptist Church, 40-43 St Andrew’s St, Cambridge CB2 3AR. No registration is required.

The timetable for the new ESOL groups will be: 

ESOL – Entry 1 – Wed & Fri 9:30-11:30

ESOL – Entry 2 – Wed & Fri 12:30-14:30

ESOL – Entry 3/ Level 1 – Wed & Fri 14:45-16:45

ESOL Evening Classes Online

WEA is also starting new ESOL classes online in the evenings from January. Guests who are interested should register at one of the online Zoom Skills Check meetings below on January 12 or 16, 2023. Please register as soon as possible to secure your place via the following links:

The timetable for the new online evening class groups will be: 

Entry 1 Mon and Wed 7pm

Entry 2 Tue and Thu 7pm

Entry 3/Level 1 Wed and Thu 6:30pm

If you are unable to register online, please call on 0300 3033464 quoting the course reference number.

Skills Check – Community Interpreting Level 1 and Level 2 courses

Skills Check Meetings for Community Interpreting courses are Online via Zoom – Dates:

UK Driving Theory for ESOL Learners – Online course

If you don’t have a driving licence this online course will help you pass the theory test. However, if you do have a driving licence from your home country it will help you understand fundamental road rules of driving in the UK. Free to enrol, it will run from January 16 to March 13, 2023, from 12noon to 2pm on Mondays and Wednesdays.

To enrol on the course please quote the course reference C2229100 either online at wea.org.uk or by ringing 0300 3033464. Citizenship: UK Driving Theory for ESOL Learners (C2229100) (wea.org.uk)

Fund-raising for school places

The Stephen Perse Foundation is a family of independent fee-paying schools in Cambridge, Madingley and Saffron Walden which educates boys and girls from the age of one to 18. It has launched a ‘Christmas Challenge’ fundraising page to provide bursaries for a number of children coming to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme to attend its schools. For more information, visit the fundraising page.

Guest families interested in applying for a bursary for their child should visit the Foundation’s website page on Financial Assistance. Additional costs such as transport should be considered before accepting a placement.

Learn to cycle safely on winter roads

The Bikeability sessions currently being run at Cambourne Cricket Pavilion are of real benefit to Ukrainian guests using cycles on our roads, teaching them useful skills to keep them safe especially during dark winter evenings and in wet or icy road conditions. 

As the Government’s national cycle training programme, Bikeability is free-of-charge, but please could we ask guests who are signing up for sessions to let us know if they are then unable to attend by emailing to duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk

There is one remaining session before Christmas, specifically for Ukrainian guests, which can be signed up to online and is being held at Lower Cambourne Cricket Pavilion, Woodfield Lane CB23 6FY, on December 17, running from 9am to 12pm or 12.30pm to 3.30pm.

Guests can still apply for free bikes

Please remind your Ukrainian guests that they can apply for free bikes via the  Council’s three partner charities Owl Bikes, Camtrust and Tag Bikes.

To find out more about the Free Bikes for Ukrainians scheme, see the Local Travel Support section of our Ukrainian Guest Information Hub.  Hosts can apply online on behalf of their guests and the Council will put the applicant in touch with their supplier so they can arrange to collect their bicycle. If bikes are no longer needed, they can be returned to the supplier. Donations of more bicycles will be gratefully received by all three charities, as well as unwanted helmets, spare tyres and parts.

Reminder: Holiday and Food schemes

A reminder that guest families in receipt of income-related free school meals can apply to a Christmas holiday scheme for up to 16 hours per child which will include a meal and snacks daily. The Christmas Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is being run by Cambridgeshire County Council and funded by the Department for Education. Ukrainian and other refugee families can attend, as well as families struggling financially. Read details about the Christmas programme – click on ‘South Cambridgeshire Schemes’.

Reminder: Small Grants to help reduce social isolation for guests

A number of local groups have been successful in applying for small grants from the Council to help with funding for events which will reduce social isolation for Ukrainian guests who will spend this Christmas away from their homeland and loved ones.

The grants are for £300 per project and successful applicants have included a graduation party for those who have completed ESOL Courses funded by the Council through the CamRuss Society; a Christmas Get Together for Ukrainian families in Abington and similar festive events in Whittlesford, Meldreth and Royston; and a day trip to Thetford Forest for outdoor adventure.

Parish councils, community groups, informal groups or individual hosts are invited to apply with details for projects which will encourage guest families to feel more involved in the local community and life in Britain.. Criteria, guidance and an application form can be found on our website. Or for more information, email ukraine.grants@scambs.gov.uk

Christmas is coming!

There are lots of fun events going on in the district in the lead-up to the festive season, offering plenty of opportunities for your guests to get out and about to take part in local cultural events and socialise with each other and with local people.

The Council’s visitor information site What’s on during your visit to South Cambridgeshire? (visitsouthcambs.co.uk) is a good place to find out what is going on in the district. Upcoming events include the Christmas Market organised in Cambourne this Sunday by South Cambridgeshire District Council.

IMPORTANT NOTES

All hosts will receive information from us relating to DBS checks, accommodation checks, £350 monthly host and £350 one-off guest payments; plus additional ‘opt-in’ payments of £150 per month which we are paying to hosts in the district to help with extra costs such as rising energy bills. For questions not covered in this update or on our Support for Ukraine webpages, please email duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk

Thank you for taking the time to read this latest update. We hope that it is useful for you and your guests, and we thank you for your continued support.

Bill

Bill Handley

Lead Cabinet Member for Communities

South Cambridgeshire District Council

Ukraine – update and request for hosts

Please help spread the word on our campaign for more Hosts

By now, you may have seen the ‘Spare Room’ campaign to encourage more local people to join our current Homes for Ukraine hosts. This is now appearing on our social media channels, on digital indoor and outdoor signage, in local Sky television ads and in the local press, such as a news item on the BBC Look East bulletin on Tuesday evening.

Together with Cambridge City Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council have almost 500 hosts who have already been providing housing to guests but, with the war in Ukraine continuing, many of the families currently living here cannot yet return to their homeland.

Where their current accommodation is no longer available, we are keen to find them alternative hosting close to where they have been living. Anyone who can offer help simply needs to text ROOM to 88802.

Our messages on social media can be found on Facebook, at the top of our Council Facebook page,  Twitter and LinkedIn. Please do share and spread these messages so we can encourage more people to get in touch with us to explain what it is like to be a host and to see if it is a good fit for them. You can read more, and watch video stories from current hosts and guests, at www.scambs.gov.uk/support-for-ukraine-it-all-starts-with-a-spare-room.  We would very much appreciate any help you are able to give us with spreading the word.

Learn to cycle safely on winter roads

Dark evenings and wet or icy surfaces require greater caution from cyclists using local roads. Bikeability is the Government’s national cycle training programme helping cyclists to learn practical skills and understand how to cycle on today’s roads.

There are several new Bikeability sessions available specifically for Ukrainian guests which can be signed up to online. The new adult sessions are being held at Lower Cambourne Cricket Pavilion, Woodfield Lane CB23 6FY, on December 3 & 17, running from 9am to 12pm or 12.30pm to 3.30pm.

Join in by helping out

Volunteering is a great way to make new friends and to get to know your local community. It can change lives, fight isolation and improve wellbeing, confidence and skills, while making our communities better places to live. The experience of volunteering can even sometimes lead to or help with acquiring paid work.

Ukrainian guests who are interested in joining in community activities by helping out as volunteers can find useful information on the Cambridge Council for Voluntary Services website. 

CCVS is holding an online coffee morning on December 7 at 10.30am when there will be a chance to find out more about volunteering opportunities and to hear from the local volunteer coordinator for the children’s charity NSPCC. The coffee morning is free to attend but must be signed up for.

Reminder: Private Facebook page for young guests to ‘meet’ in a safe environment

A private Facebook group especially for young Ukrainian guests aged 13 to 19 is available for them to connect, chat and support each other.

Administered by South Cambridgeshire District Council and with an adult moderator ensuring it’s a safe and secure environment, it is designed for young guests who have arrived in South Cambridgeshire as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Please note, this is a group for young Ukrainians, not adults or parents. See https://www.facebook.com/groups/1424735478018690

Reminder: Christmas Holiday and Food schemes

If your Ukrainian guests are in receipt of income-related free school meals, then they are eligible to apply to a Christmas holiday scheme.

The Christmas Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, run by Cambridgeshire County Council and funded by the Department for Education, gives up to 16 hours per child on the scheme, including a meal and snacks daily. Ukrainian and other refugee families can attend, as well as families struggling financially. Read details about the Christmas programme – click on ‘South Cambridgeshire Schemes’.

IMPORTANT NOTES

All hosts will receive information from us relating to DBS checks, accommodation checks, £350 monthly host and £350 one-off guest payments; plus additional ‘opt-in’ payments of £150 per month which we are paying to hosts in the district to help with extra costs such as rising energy bills. For questions not covered in this update or on our Support for Ukraine webpages, please email duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk

Thank you for taking the time to read this latest update. We hope that it is useful for you and your guests, and we thank you for your continued support.

Bill Handley

Lead Cabinet Member for Communities

South Cambridgeshire District Council