Ukraine – helping families and sponsors
Citizens Advice at local and national level is supporting government and public responses to the Ukraine war.
From the earliest days we provided information and helped individuals and families with official policy. Our national advice covered the Homes for Ukraine project and the quite different family sponsorship scheme. It eased the way by translating headline details (picture).
In Epsom & Ewell our advisers have also been busy.
Most cases are residents keen to do all they can to arrange refuge for frightened relatives:
- Several have wanted help in understanding the eligibility of family members for financial support.
- A client’s family currently in Poland includes children whose future education is one of many concerns.
We can also advise clients anxious about delays to the arrival of refugees. In recent days, issues with UK Visas and Immigration, blocked email accounts, and suspicious offers of accommodation have come to light.
As ever in Surrey the community has mobilised.
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is coordinating local support and information. The dynamic Epsom Refugee Network offers useful information and is organising social Ukraine Connections. Meanwhile Surrey Stands with Ukraine is collecting donations in cash and kind at its hub in Epsom Ashley Centre.