Oxfordshire County Council and West Oxfordshire District Council both have advice as to ways residents can help to support the people of Ukraine. Please find the links below:
Oxfordshire County Council (OCC)
Support for Ukraine | Oxfordshire County Council
West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC)
WODC’s work to support the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme continues as part of a joint system-wide team across Oxfordshire.
There is fantastic joint work underway. The county council’s customer services centre team is making first contact phone calls to hosts, and letters are being distributed to both hosts and guests outlining next steps. In partnership with the county, city and district councils, accommodation and safeguarding checks are taking place to ensure guests are safe and supported. Home visits to issue support payments of £200 to Ukrainian nationals have also started today.
For any queries on visa applications, this is managed by the Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration. Information on the application process is available on gov.uk and those involved in the application process can also call 24/7 for free: + 44 808 164 8810 (0808 164 8810 if you’re in the UK). You can also signpost to the Homes for Ukraine scheme and to the frequently asked questions on gov.uk.
There are dedicated webpages www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ukraine (centrally hosted on behalf of the joint team) which are being kept up to date as we learn more from government and as we learn from implementing the above process. There is also information and links on our West Oxfordshire website https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/communities-and-leisure/ukraine-support/ .
Phil Martin and Paula Massey are leading on the Homes for Ukraine Scheme for West Oxfordshire and are helping to coordinate our response alongside our Oxfordshire colleagues.
If you receive any queries from sponsors you can directly signpost to www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ukrainesponsor or for Ukrainian guests www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ukraineguest. Queries that cannot be easily answered by signposting can be directed towards the county council’s customer services centre team:
· Oxfordshire Ukraine helpline: +44 1865 966444 / 01865 966 444 (opening hours: 8.45am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. Closed weekends and bank holidays).
· Email: ukraineresponse@oxfordshire.gov.uk
For more information, click here.