16th February 2023
Host & Guest e-newsletter
Welcome to the latest issue of our host and guest e-newsletter. If you can, why not sit down together to read it?
Fraudulent letter to hosts
We've been advised by colleagues from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities that they're aware of a fraudulent letter being sent to hosts on the Homes for Ukraine scheme. If you receive a letter like the one pictured below, requesting personal data about either you or your guests, please ignore it and report it to us by emailing homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk
These kinds of scams are generally badly written with spelling mistakes and poor grammar so please be cautious and check with our team if you have concerns about any correspondence you've received.
Barnardo’s support for hosts and guests
The charity Barnardo’s has a range of support on offer for anyone fleeing the war in Ukraine. To access help visit the Barnardo’s website to complete a referral form or send an email to ukrainiansupport@barnardos.org.uk and someone will respond within five working days.
The quickest way to access support is to call the helpline number on 0800 148 8586. Barnardo’s has access to interpreters so if you don’t have English they will call back with a Russian or Ukrainian interpreter. The helpline can support with a range of practical things, such as providing one SIM card per household and foodbank vouchers. They can also offer advice and signposting on issues around benefits, education and housing along with providing remote therapeutic support for hosts and Ukrainian refugees.
Barnardo’s is also running a five week programme of free online workshops for host families starting week commencing 27 February 2023. Topics include how to keep everyone safe, cultural awareness, understanding the impact of trauma, responding to challenges and understanding people’s rights. View the workshop poster to find out more and visit www.bookwhen.com/barnardos-workshops to book.
Lincolnshire host and guests to be featured on BBC One’s ‘Songs of Praise’
Gainsborough host, Deirdre Speed, is appearing on BBC One’s ‘Songs of Praise’ with her guests this Sunday (19 February).
Tune in at 1.15pm to catch Deirdre speaking to Rev Kate Bottley about her experience hosting Oleg, Olena and their French bulldog, Juliet.
Calling Ukrainian business owners
We’re keen to hear from any Ukrainian business owners in Lincolnshire who would potentially be interested in sharing their advice and experiences with other guests in the county looking to become self-employed.
If you can help, please email homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk so we can get in touch with more information.
Events marking the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
As we approach the first anniversary of the Russian invasion on Friday 24 February, we know that many events are planned throughout Lincolnshire with residents from across the county showing their support for Ukraine.
Next week we plan to send an e-newsletter including details of any events taking place in Lincolnshire. If there are any events in your local community you would like us to share, please email them to homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Fly the flag for Ukraine
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is running a Facebook campaign asking people to send in photos of Ukrainian flags around the UK.
They want to compile as many of these symbols of solidarity as they can and showcase them to the world.
Show your support by sending them a photo of the Ukrainian flag using the message option on this post, letting them know where in the country you are.
In-person support from Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice can provide support with a wide range of topics including benefits, debt and money, employment, consumer, housing, family, immigration and more. They are pleased to be offering in-person support for hosts and guests in Lincolnshire at the following community groups:
- Boston
Friday mornings: 10am-12pm
Centenary Methodist Church, Red Lion St, Boston PE21 6NY - Grantham
Tuesday mornings: 9.30am-1pm
Jubilee Church Life Centre, 5 London Road, Grantham NG31 6EY - Louth (with additional support from 'Wellbeing Lincs')
Thursday afternoons: 12-1pm
Louth Library, Northgate, Louth LN11 0LY - Stamford
Thursday mornings: 10:30-12pm
Stamford Diversity Group, Conversation Café, Barnhill Methodist Church, Barn Hill, Stamford PE9 2AE
Citizens Advice is also looking at providing in-person support in Holbeach, Lincoln, Skegness and Spalding and we'll include further details in this e-newsletter when more information's available.
Limited funding available for Ukrainian guests in Lincolnshire
Since the re-launch of the ‘Big Lincolnshire Welcome Fund’ in December, more than 200 applications have now been received by the Lincolnshire Community Foundation.
Any Ukrainian guests in Lincolnshire, who have not previously applied and received funding, can apply to the fund and choose for themselves what essential item(s) up to the value of £150 for an individual or £300 for a family unit, they need to make their lives better.
For full guidance and details of how to apply, please visit the Lincolnshire Community Foundation website.
Lincoln Jobs Fair - 10am-2pm, Wednesday 1 March 2023
Meet local employers including Framework, Avon, Helping Hands, Highways Partnerships, Branston Ltd, Libertas, Lincolnshire Co-op, Reflect Recruitment, the Navy and more. If you are claiming Universal Credit, please contact your Work Coach to book your place.
Read more on the event poster.
Address details: The Drill, Free School Lane, Lincoln, LN2 1EY
Skills Bootcamps in Professional Cookery Level 3
First College Lincs, Skegness
Skills Bootcamps provide learners with technical skills that employers need. They are free to learners and can be online, face-to-face, or a mixture of both depending on the subject. Working in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council, the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership has secured funding to lead the development of Skills Bootcamps locally.
First College Lincs in Skegness is offering Skills Bootcamps in Professional Cookery Level 3. This is an opportunity for guests out of work or seeking a new job who are likely to have worked previously in a kitchen or have a Level 2 in cookery and want to gain new skills or are considering becoming a chef.
Recruiting now for an 8 March 2023 start. Attendance is one day per week for 10 weeks from 9.30am-4pm, with a break over Easter.
For more information, please email Peggy Middleton: peggy.middleton@firstcollegelincs.co.uk
New ‘Sign up as a host’ page on Connect to Support
As we continue to appeal for new hosts across the county, we have created a new page on the Connect to Support website for people interested in signing up as hosts. If you know anyone looking to find out more please tell them to visit the page and complete the expression of interest form.
‘Wellbeing Lincs’
'Wellbeing Lincs' offers emotional and practical support, help with accessing health, education, benefits and council services, including housing to all hosts and guests in Lincolnshire.
If you need to have a potentially difficult conversation with your host / guest, the 'Wellbeing Lincs' team may be able help you navigate this. They are trained in providing mediation and can support you in talking things through openly and honestly to reach a solution.
For help, email ukraine.wellbeing@e-lindsey.gov.uk with your name, address, contact information and a brief description of what you need.
The team will aim to be in touch within two working days. They can also be contacted by phone on 01507 613044 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday or 10am to 4.30pm on Fridays.