‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme and donation details

‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme

Cheshire East Council has released details of how Ukrainian refugees will be supported in the borough in the first phase of the government’s ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme.

Cheshire East has started to receive information about local sponsors and refugees heading to the borough, so processes can now be put in place and resources allocated.

To date, sponsors in Cheshire East have volunteered 86 properties to accommodate one or more refugees, with 218 Ukrainians registered to come to the borough under the scheme. Cheshire East will make initial contact with sponsors and give them a single point of contact for advice and support and to outline what happens next.

To date, Disley and Newtown residents have carried out fundraising, contributed to collections and made financial contributions. The Parish Council is not currently aware of any homes in Disley and Newtown registered under the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme.  Cheshire East will provide the Parish Council with updates and inform the Council of what additional assistance is needed.

Donations and Support

While awaiting further official UK government guidance, Cheshire East Council will not be accepting any donations but it is collating pledges of support in readiness for possible arrivals to the borough.

If you wish to pledge an offer of support, please get in touch by emailing: refugeeinfo@cheshireeast.gov.uk

If you wish to donate items, please contact the following independent drop-off points (this list will be updated as further locations are added):

• Rotary Club, Glebe Farm, Peel Lane, Astbury, Congleton CW12 4RQ. Contact Mark Bailey on 07722 008421
• Donatable at Qualkem Ltd, Macon Way, Crewe CW1 6YU. Contact Gareth Williams on 07739551720.

At the present time, Cheshire East or Disley Parish Council cannot accept any types of financial support. For any financial contributions please see the links below:

• Disasters Emergency Committee, Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, which provides food, water, shelter and healthcare to refugees and displaced families. Donations will be match funded by the government up to a total of £20m – donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
• The British Red Cross, which has launched an appeal to help the Ukrainian Red Cross to provide food, medicine, clothing and shelter, as well as first aid training in bomb shelters – donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal
• The UNHCR refugee agency, which is funding emergency shelters, repairs for homes damaged by shelling, emergency cash assistance, psychological support and warm clothing – Donate to UK for UNHCR (unrefugees.org.uk)
• Unicef, the UN children’s charity, which is helping to ensure families have clean water and food and that child health and protection services continue – www.unicef.org.uk/donate/donate-now-to-protect-children-in-ukraine/
• Save the Children, which is providing cash assistance, food and other support to refugees crossing into Romanian and Lithuania, as well as in Ukraine itself. Donate to our Ukraine Crisis Appeal | Save the Children UK