8th June 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?
Loneliness Awareness Week, 12-18 June 2023
Loneliness Awareness Week is a week dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness. It's all about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends or colleagues about loneliness. Loneliness is a natural human emotion - we are hardwired to need social connections. By talking about it, we can support ourselves and others.
Visit the NHS ‘Every Mind Matters’ website for practical advice and tips on ways to cope with loneliness for you or someone you are helping to lift out of loneliness.
We’ve also put together some useful links below detailing where you can find out more about community groups and services in your local area.
Ukrainian community groups in Lincolnshire
If you’re looking to join a Ukrainian community group, visit the Ukraine support groups directory on ‘Connect to Support’ or email joy@upbeatcommunities.org to find your closest group.
Also, if you’re running a group, we’d love you to add it to the directory so other people can find out about it. New or existing events, activities and any other support services open to Ukrainian guests can be added to the directory by completing the sign-up form (add ‘Ukraine Support’ to the title of your listings).
For those of you on Facebook, there are a number of local groups that have been set up within our Lincolnshire communities. These are a really good way to link up and share information with fellow guests and hosts in your area.
H.A.Y. Lincolnshire
How Are You (H.A.Y.) Lincolnshire is a family of websites that brings together everything in the local community that boosts wellbeing.
Connecting with others, getting active, learning a new skill, being creative, seeking professional support, exploring the outdoors, volunteering - all of these things (and more) can improve our wellbeing. However, it isn’t always easy to know what is out there locally or to feel comfortable trying something new.
From yoga to singing, sports clubs to arts groups, or perhaps somewhere to talk or get a cup of tea, H.A.Y. Lincolnshire brings you ideas of local things to do to get a wellbeing boost, plus a wide range of local professional support. Visit the H.A.Y. Lincolnshire website to find out more.
Lincolnshire Libraries
As well as being a great place to borrow books, including Ukrainian language titles available in selected libraries, Lincolnshire libraries also hold regular activities and special events including those suitable for children. To find out more, take a look at the individual library pages for opening times and ‘what’s on’ listings. There are also a number of Community Hub libraries across the county, run by independent community organisations with volunteers providing access to a selection of library materials and services.
Any guests wishing to become library members can find out more on the ‘Connect to Support’ website.
‘Let’s Move Lincolnshire’
The 'Let's Move Lincolnshire' website for Ukrainian guests signposts to physical activity offers and opportunities in Lincolnshire. The page will update over time, as more providers and opportunities become available so check back often to view the latest activities.
Lincolnshire Children’s Centres
Lincolnshire has 48 Children’s Centres which offer free activities for children aged 0-5 years and their families. During the summer holidays they offer regular fun themed sessions which include ‘Holiday Fun’ where families can share in a wide range of activities with their children such as water and sand play, sensory experiences and messy play.
The centres are open from 9am-4pm Monday to Friday and families are always welcome to drop in and see what’s on offer, and during school holidays older siblings up to age eight are also welcome.
To find your local Children’s Centre please visit the County Council website.
Are your guests leaving your accommodation?
Thank you for keeping us updated when your hosting arrangements are coming to an end.
We understand that the situation in Ukraine is constantly changing and appreciate that guests’ plans can also often change at short notice. As a result, please can we request that hosts only notify the Homes for Ukraine team at Lincolnshire County Council once their guests have actually left their accommodation? This helps us ensure that any administrative changes are only made when the hosting arrangement has ended (either temporarily or permanently).
Apply for the Advanced Diploma in Artisan Baking - Refugee Scholarship
The next intake of students for the Advanced Diploma in Artisan Baking course is in September 2023 and applications are now open.
The Advanced Diploma in Artisan Baking is a six month residential course at the School of Artisan Food in Welbeck (Nottinghamshire) and is equivalent to a foundation degree.
The scholarship is open to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. To find out more, including the eligibility criteria, please visit the School of Artisan Food website.
Guests becoming sponsors/hosts
Did you know that it's possible for guests on the Homes for Ukraine scheme who have moved to their own accommodation to themselves sponsor other Ukrainians looking for a host? This could be Ukrainians already in the UK needing a new host or to help those still in Ukraine come to the UK.
To qualify to be a Homes for Ukraine sponsor people need to meet the government eligibility criteria.
A guest who is currently living with a UK sponsor cannot offer their host/sponsor’s accommodation, only the UK sponsor can offer their own home. However, a number of Ukrainian guests have moved into their own private rented accommodation - and if they have a tenancy for longer than six months they can become a sponsor (subject to the usual checks).
If you're a Ukrainian guest and have any further questions about becoming a sponsor yourself, please email us at homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk
ESOL for Maths - courses from Boston College
If you're thinking of doing a maths qualification and English is your second language, why not join Boston College's free short course to boost your language of maths?
You will learn about the language of maths:
- Maths symbols
- Naming and describing 2D and 3D shapes
- Imperial measure
- Names of days, months and seasons
- Position vocabulary
These courses are all free to adults aged over 19 and are available at Boston College's Boston, Horncastle and Spalding campuses.
To find out more please email multiply@boston.ac.uk or visit the Boston College website.
Reminder - are you interested in volunteering?
If you missed the first 'Let's talk about volunteering' session from the Voluntary Centre Service, there's still time to register for the session taking place at 10.30am on Monday 12 June 2023.
As well as finding out about the many ways in which you can volunteer, you will learn about how you can benefit others and what’s in it for you. All Ukrainians in Lincolnshire are very welcome to attend. The session will run for approximately 45 minutes and Ukrainian and Russian translators will be available. Book your place on Eventbrite.
Volunteer opportunities with Boxes of Hope
The Holbeach-based charity, Boxes of Hope, is looking for volunteers to support its work organising the collection and distribution of critical aid to Ukraine.
They're looking for sorters, drivers/driver's mates and administrative assistants. If you're interested in helping out, even if it's just for a few hours, it can make a real difference.
Visit the Boxes of Hope Facebook page or email boxesofhopelincolnshire@gmail.com for more information.
Taylor ITEX English Taster and Conversational English Courses in Boston
Conversational English
This course will prepare learners for having core English language skills and knowledge. You will be learning in a small, friendly group environment. The aim of the sessions is to increase your ability to use English grammar correctly in spoken and written English. There are two start date options available - Tuesday 13 and Tuesday 27 June 2023.
English Taster
This Introduction to English course, on Tuesday 20 June 2023, is a short course allowing you to meet the Tutor and to discuss what is the most suitable course for you to continue to improve your English speaking skills.
For more information, please contact Julie Mitchell on 01205 360800 or email julie@tayloritex.co.uk.
In-person support from Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice and 'Wellbeing Lincs' are continuing to offer in-person support for hosts and guests in Lincolnshire at a number of community groups across the county.
If you're a host or guest with questions on benefits, debt and money, employment, consumer issues, housing, family or immigration, drop in for a chat and some advice.
Find your nearest support session by visiting the 'Connect to Support' website.
Please note that the Lincoln sessions are changing from next week. From Tuesday 13 June 2023, the sessions will run from 2-3pm and will take place in the Business Room at Lincoln Central Library on Free School Lane.
Events
Friday coffee mornings in Boston
Join Haven Community Hub and the Centenary Church for coffee every Friday from 10am-12 noon. Hosts and guests are welcome.
Centenary Methodist Church, Red Lion Street, Boston PE21 6NY.
Reminder - Concert for Ukraine
7pm, Saturday 10 June 2023
Jubilee Church Life Centre, Grantham
A special 'Concert for Ukraine'. Donations will buy sensory toys for an orphanage in Ukraine.
If you'd like to join in the performance, please contact Jubilee Church on admin@jubileegrantham.co.uk.
Reminder - Free screening of 'Matilda' with Ukrainian subtitles
11am, Sunday 11 June 2023
Playhouse Cinema, Louth
A screening specially arranged by the Parkway Cinema team with Ukrainian subtitles and offered free to Ukrainian guests. Everyone welcome! No sign up needed - just come along!
Find out more on the East Lindsey Area of Sanctuary Facebook page.
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.