Braintree District Council marked Ukraine Independence Day on Sunday 24 August – inviting Ukrainian guests and sponsors to a special meet up at Braintree Community Centre.
Braintree District Council marked Ukraine Independence Day on Sunday 24 August – inviting Ukrainian guests and sponsors to a special meet up at Braintree Community Centre.
This is the fourth Ukrainian Independence Day that Braintree District Council has hosted and since March 2022, there have been 144 sponsors supporting 303 Ukrainians in the district. There are currently 55 people living with sponsors and 106 receiving ‘Moving On’ support in the district as the UK continues to stand with the Ukraine and its’ sovereignty, freedom, and right to peace.
Over the past 4 years, the council has worked alongside community partners to deliver support such as English lessons, employability workshops, birth certificate translations and community events and meet ups.
Twenty-five Ukrainian guests and sponsors attended the event, providing an opportunity to catch up as well as enjoy refreshments and traditional Ukrainian food brought by the guests.
Cllr Lynette Bowers-Flint, Cabinet Member for Housing, Health & Wellbeing, said: “As the Ukrainian war continues, the generosity of the sponsors in our district who have been opening up their homes to Ukrainian refugees is truly inspirational and shows incredible generosity and commitment to enable Ukrainians to start rebuilding their lives. There are still people fleeing Ukraine and some who are unable to stay with their current sponsor, so we still need sponsors to come forward if they can offer a spare room in their home.”
Cllr Mary Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said: “These events are important at providing some semblance of normality and home comforts for Ukrainian refugees as the war continues and they remain unable to return home. They can meet other Ukrainians as well as find out about the support available to them to help them settle in the UK.”
Anyone with settled status can sponsor or host and those successfully matched to Ukrainian guest will receive £350 flat rate fee paid by Central Government. This will be topped up by £200 a month after six months by Essex County Council, rising to £550.
Residents can easily register their interest in the Homes for Ukraine scheme at https://www.gov.uk/register-interest-homes-ukraine.
Sponsors are able to end their hosting at any time, however are asked to host guests for at least six months.