New funding scheme for Ukrainian refugees

Olha fled Ukraine with her children after war broke out and eventually arrived in Oxford

Ukrainian refugees looking to settle in the UK can now receive support from a new council scheme.

Authorities across Oxfordshire have come together as part of the county's Migration Partnership, to launch the Homes for Ukraine Grant Scheme.

It offers funding of up to £2,000 to community organisations so they can fund projects and services supporting Ukrainians.

Olha, who came to the UK after the Russian invasion with her two children and found a job with the council as a housing officer, said the scheme was "a great starting point".

Cherwell District Council has partnered up with South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire district councils, as well as Oxford City Council, for the initiative.

It has been designed to support the "successful integration and settlement" of Ukrainians in their new communities, a council spokesperson explained.

After settling into a host home in Oxford with her children in May 2022, Olha found a job working as a housing officer in the Ukrainian team at Vale of White Horse District Council.

Her job involves assessing Ukrainians' needs and to help them when they need to find alternative accommodation.

The council pays a £500 discretionary fund payment per person, but the grant scheme will work to offer extra support

Olha believes the new scheme will make a difference.

"One of the main differences between the rental market in the UK and Ukraine is that usually properties come furnished but here in the UK most of the properties are unfurnished," she said.

"Obviously people who flee the war do not bring any furniture or bedding or cutlery with them, so they need to kit out their properties."

The council pays a £500 discretionary fund payment per person, but the grant scheme will work to offer extra support.

Olha said: "Having been through all this stress and situation myself, I understand Ukrainian people who come here and are at a loss, trying to find their feet here in the country and I'm doing my best to help them.

"I consider the Homes for Ukraine programme to be a great starting point for people to move to another country and settle in, though we're still very unsure what will happen next with us but we are very grateful to be here, happy and safe."

The scheme is now open for applications and being administered by Cherwell District Council.