3rd August 2023

A Big Lincolnshire Welcome Logo

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?

Ukrainian Independence Day, 24 August 2023

Last week marked 500 days since the launch of the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme in the UK. Since then, almost 1,350 Ukrainians have made Lincolnshire their temporary home, with over 400 households in the county opening their doors to people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Ahead of Ukrainian Independence Day on Thursday 24 August, we want to hear from both guests and hosts about what being involved in the scheme has meant to them. If you want to share your story with us please send an email to homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk with your name, age and location along with 1-2 paragraphs telling us a little bit about yourself along with how you’ve found your time in Lincolnshire (if you’re a Ukrainian guest) or about your experience of hosting Ukrainian guests in your home (if you’re a host). We’ll then share a selection of these in our next e-newsletter.

Ukrainian New 'Visas, sponsoring and hosting' page on 'Connect to Support' website

We’ve recently made some changes to what was previously the ‘National and local guidance’ page on ‘Connect to Support’. The new ‘Visas, sponsoring and hosting’ page includes information on the different types of visas for Ukrainian guests, details on guests becoming sponsors and hosts, as well as the previously available guidance on how to provide biometrics alongside guides for guests, sponsors and hosts.

Visit the ‘Connect to Support’ website to take a look.

Bringing a vehicle to the UK - correction

Please note, following our last e-newsletter there’s been a further change to the guidance on vehicle tax and registration.

Under the revised guidance, if you have been issued a visa under one of the Ukraine visa schemes, you do not need to tax or register your Ukrainian plated vehicle in the UK. This applies for the first three years you are in the UK. It applies only to personally imported vehicles with Ukrainian number plates, including motorcycles and cars weighing up to 3,500kg.

Your vehicle must remain registered in Ukraine to benefit from this exemption. You must make sure that you have insurance to drive your vehicle in the UK.

Find out more on the gov.uk website.

Biometric Residency Permits (BRP)

This is a reminder that if you have arrived in the UK, it is recommended you apply for your BRP within six months of your arrival date. Guests will still be able to apply for their BRP after six months, and the Home Office will consider their application.

Guests are advised not to travel outside the UK until they have received their BRP, or they may have problems returning to the UK. If a guest chooses to leave the UK before providing their biometrics and receiving a BRP, they will be required to present their permission to travel letter again and receive a new ‘Leave to Remain Outside the Rules (LOTR)’ stamp on arrival.

It is recommended that guests obtain a BRP before leaving the UK.

Further information on how to provide biometrics is available on 'Connect to Support'.

Essential English for Employment for English for Speakers of Other Languages
1.30 to 3.30pm, 9, 16 and 23 August 2023

This is a funded, three session, adult-only Family Learning course available to adults aged 19+ with a basic level of spoken English.

Do you need English to help you at work or to get a job?

Where to look for work
How to understand what employers are looking for
How to write a good CV
Positive words to describe your skills
English words you will need in the workplace
And much more

Address details: Lincoln Central Library, Free School Lane, Lincoln LN2 1EZ.

Advance booking required. To register your interest and find out more please contact: pauline.mould@lincolnshire.gov.uk / 07771 638603.

What’s on in Lincolnshire this summer

With schools now finished for the summer holidays, there are lots of activities and events on offer in Lincolnshire throughout August.

For a fantastic overview of what’s on this summer head over to the 'Visit Lincoln' website.

If you're looking for some inspiration of things to do, take a look at the following blog posts:

Events

Charitable screening of ‘Memoria’ in Stamford
7pm, Friday 4 August 2023

This documentary film unveils the horrific events that occurred in the past and repeated in the present, emphasising the importance of memory and peace.

‘Memoria’ explores the narratives of three individuals who, during their childhood, witnessed the horrors of World War II and the Jewish genocide. The film not only delves into their personal stories but also highlights the experiences of the younger generation who face the harsh realities of war in the present day.

Admission to the event is free, but donations are encouraged. The proceeds from this screening will go towards purchasing a vehicle for Battalion NGU, Unit 3027, where the grandson of the Righteous Among the Nations - one of the film's heroines - serves.

To find out more and book your seat, please visit: https://forms.gle/j3Vhiou5VHszmKZ68

Address details: The Theatre Lounge, Broad Street, Stamford PE9 1PJ

Ukrainian Mass in Lincoln
3pm, Saturday 12 August 2023

All are welcome to attend this Mass which will be celebrated in the Ukrainian language, held on the second Saturday of every month.

Dates are now confirmed for the rest of 2023. Please visit UCCL’s Facebook page for further details.

Address details: St Hugh's Church, Broadgate, Lincoln LN2 5AQ.

'Let's go bowling!' in Lincoln
6.30pm, Tuesday 29 August 2023

Join the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Lincoln (UCCL) for a special children’s bowling evening, supported and arranged by Lincoln Rotary Club.

Entry is £5 per child (accompanied by parents) - this includes a game of bowling and a burger with fries and a drink. To book a place please email ukrainianculturalcenterlincoln@gmail.com or message UCCL on Facebook.

Address details: Lincoln Bowl, Washingborough Road, Lincoln LN4 1EF

Your events

Please send any events for this newsletter to: homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk

New or existing events, activities and any other support services open to Ukrainian guests can also be added to the 'Connect to Support' directory by completing the sign-up form (add ‘Ukraine Support’ to the title of your listings).

‘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.

Connect to Support Lincolnshire

Connect to Support is an online information and advice library, community directory and provider marketplace for people in Lincolnshire.

The Advice for Ukrainian Arrivals information pages are regularly updated and aim to guide Ukrainian guests to local services during their stay in Lincolnshire.

The in-built Google Translate function means that the information can easily be translated into both Ukrainian and Russian. You can also view past editions of this e-newsletter on the site.