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Guests from Ukraine

Darlington is playing its part in helping people affected by the situation in Ukraine.

Links to useful information for people arriving Ukraine, as well as those dedicated to supporting them, will be available on this page.

Homes for Ukraine

The government has set up a new scheme, Homes for Ukraine.

The Homes for Ukraine Scheme offers a lifeline to those forced to flee their homes.

It allows:

  • individuals
  • charities
  • community groups
  • businesses

to bring Ukrainians, forced to escape their homeland, to safety.

This includes those with no family ties to the UK.

We are awaiting further announcements from central government about plans for the Homes for Ukraine scheme beyond March 2023 and will let you know as soon as we have an update.

If you have any questions about the Homes for Ukraine scheme, visit the Homes for Ukraine page on GOV.UK [external link]

How can I help?

Anyone in the UK (of any nationality and any immigration status providing they have at least six months leave to remain in the UK) with a spare room, or separate self-contained accommodation that is unoccupied can come forward to help.

Accommodation must be:

  • available for at least 6 months
  • be fit for people to live in
  • suitable for the number of people to be accommodated

You can find details on the scheme and how to register your interest on the government's Homes for Ukraine web page.

The Government is working on this sponsorship scheme and will match

  • people
  • charities
  • businesses
  • community groups

to Ukrainians who do not have established families in the country, so they are able to come to safety the UK.

The Government will also be providing a full support pack for sponsors.

This will contain signposting to relevant services and where they can get help.

Accommodation checks

Councils have a statutory duty to promote the welfare of adults and children at risk.

We reserve the right to check in on guests and inspect accommodation once they have arrived.

The sponsor guidance makes clear that prospective sponsors will be subject to accommodation and safeguarding checks.

If you have registered as a sponsor the Council will contact you to arrange for an accommodation check to take place.

Rematching

We will only organise rematches for hosts who have:

We can only rematch guests and hosts if:

  • we decide it is not viable or safe for the Ukrainian guests or the host to continue the placement
  • or DBS or accommodation checks fail.

If you feel it is no longer viable or safe for your Ukrainian guests to stay with you, please email us at [email protected] as soon as possible.

We cannot accept any informal rematches made by individuals or through third parties.

We are also unable to move those who travelled under the family scheme into the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Frequently asked questions

If you have any queries take a look at our frequently asked questions.

Useful information

You may want to watch some of the videos on a YouTube channel called English with Ukrainians[external link], where Ukrainian translators have translated lessons and discussed language and cultural differences. There are also activities that are suitable for you to do with your Ukrainian guests.

The Red Cross has advice on coping with the Ukraine crisis[external link], including support for those suffering with trauma.

Visa applications are managed by the Home Office and we have no access to the visa system or the ability to escalate visa enquiries.

If you'd like support with your guest's visa, call the Home Office's visa helpline on 0808 164 8810 and press option 1.

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