Ukraine conflict

The Council is very grateful to the many local people and voluntary, community and faith organisations that have already offered to provide help and support for refugees from Ukraine.

Many charities are reporting that they have been overwhelmed with donations and current Government advice is to make a financial donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal. DEC brings together 15 leading aid charities which are working on the ground in and around Ukraine to help those caught up in the conflict.

The Government website says:

One of the best ways to help is by donating cash through trusted charities and aid organisations, rather than donating goods. Cash can be transferred quickly to areas where it is needed and individuals and aid organisations can use it to buy what is most needed. Unsolicited donations of goods, although well-meant, can obstruct supply chains and delay more urgent life-saving assistance from getting through.

The Council recognises that there will be people who volunteer to become sponsors but remain unmatched. These people can still play an important role in helping to welcome those arriving from Ukraine and ensuring they integrate into the local community.

Help share trusted and accurate information about refugees coming from the Ukraine

Community champions help the Council share important and trusted information with their networks so communities can access support they need. They are also invited to online events to share their invaluable feedback about challenges communities are facing.

Anyone who wants to help their local community stay informed on important issues such as health and wellbeing can become a community champion.

The Council and its partners will be using community champions to share regular updates about how to support refugees so that they can share this information within with their communities. Online events will also be held on this issue.

Other ways you can help refugees

• Find out how you can welcome a refugee to the UK through the UK Resettlement Scheme or Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme via Community Sponsorship.
• The Sanctuary Foundation is gathering pledges from people wishing to sponsor Ukrainians; these pledges will be shared with RESET, the agency that supports sponsors to resettle refugees through the Community Sponsorship scheme.
• Find out about hosting refugees in your area through organisations such as Refugees at Home. Please bear in mind that the number of people coming forward to host individuals or families is very large at the moment, so please be patient if you don't hear back straight away.
• Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA) is helping the Council to co-ordinate offers of help from the community. If you want to volunteer, or are a group that needs volunteers please register via the CWVA volunteering platform.

The Council has a question and answer section based on enquiries we have received so far from individuals, groups and charities keen to help. This is updated regularly.