I Am/Want to Host

• Register your interest to host via the Homes For Ukraine Scheme

• If you have already found a family to host apply for a visa

Prospective hosts should note that a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance will be required of the host family.

Connect with Swindon Hosts

There are now plenty of hosts in Swindon. We’re a friendly bunch and we regularly provide help and support for one another. You’re welcome to connect with us online or join one of our events to meet us in person. No need to wait for your guests to arrive, if you’re planning to host and would like support you can:

• Join the Swindon Welcomes Ukraine Facebook Group

• Like and Follow the Swindon Welcomes Ukraine Facebook Page

• Meet hosts at The Table weekly meet-up

Prepare your home

Whilst waiting for the Visa Approvals, use the time to talk online regularly with your Ukrainian family. This will help build your new friendship, and help you to identify any adjustments you may need to make to your home such as:

• Do they have any allergies?

• Are there any mobility issues to address?

• How much luggage do they have? Create wardrobe and drawer space for anything they are bringing with them.

• Are they travelling with children? Do you need to child proof your home (locks, parental control tv/devices etc.)

• Arrange for additional door keys to be cut / provide door access code

• Order several plug adaptors for their electronic devices. They will need to re-charge their mobile when they arrive so that they can contact family to confirm they have arrived safely.

• Create a welcome information pack and place in their room, to include;

  • Home wifi password

  • Local shops and pharmacy

  • Local taxi service

  • Bus timetables

  • Cycle Map

Personal care items

To help your guests settle in quickly you may wish to provide essential toiletry items in their room or bathroom. Your guests will likely be too embarrassed to ask for them. Items such as;

• Toothbrushes, toothpaste

• Shampoo, Conditioner, hair brush/comb

• Shower gel / body wash

• Face Wash, Hand Wash and Hand Cream

• Tissues, Nail files, hair ties

• Shaving kit

• Female sanitary products

• Basic first aid kit such as painkillers, anti-diarrhoea tablets, indigestion tablets

Food and Drink

Before your Ukrainian guests arrive spend some time researching and asking them about foods and drinks that they would appreciate for their first few days. Once they are settled in and have been allowed to rest and recover from their journey they can start to explore what’s available locally for themselves.

• Ukrainian cuisine typically includes sourdough bread, cold meats, potatoes, sour cream, Polish-style sausages, honey, soft cheeses, eggs, and plain flour.

• Many towns and cities include Eastern European or Polish grocery stores, which will have the essentials to help those you’re hosting to buy products they are used to at home. Some large supermarkets also have a World Foods aisle and is worth exploring. separate sections.

Ukraine history and traditions

As part of your preparation for welcoming your guests, you may like to read up on some Ukrainian history and traditions.

• A Kyiv-based publishing house have made available Ukraine information books to download for free in English. They would welcome a small donation to support them and their business during this difficult time.

Before your guests begin their journey to the UK, remember to provide them your full address and contact number so that they can call you during their journey if they need advice.

Free travel to and within the UK

• Eurostar - Free ticket from any Eurostar station to London St Pancras 

• National Rail - Free rail travel within 48 hours of arriving into the UK 

• National Express - Free Travel Policy for Ukrainian Arrivals

Bringing a Car to the UK

Visit this information page Official guidance on importing vehicles in the UK

Bringing Pets

Visit this information page Official guide on bringing pets into the UK

Below are some of the key steps to take once your Ukrainian guests have arrived and settled in.

• Welcome to UK Government PDF (In English)

• Let Swindon Borough Council / Wiltshire Council know that your guests have arrived and arrange a home visit warmwelcome@Swindongov.uk

• Obtain a FREE SIM card for UK use in Ukrainian mobile phones. The Swindon Borough Council home visit will be able to provide a FREE SIM with 20GB data unlimited text and calls for 6 months. This offer is also available from The Harbour Project Charity.

• Register with a local Doctor Surgery (GP)

  • Read the NHS entitlements guide

  • Find an NHS GP near you

  • Find an NHS Dentist near you

  • Covid Vaccine if not up to date

  • Winter Flu Vaccine

• Register for a UK Bank Account

  • Getting a bank account (Citizens Advice Page)

• Apply for a National Insurance number

• Apply for Universal Credit (if applicable)

  • Check what guests are entitled to

  • Understanding Universal Credit

  • Apply for Universal Credit

  • Swindon Universal Credit

• Bus passes - Swindon Borough Council will issue a 10 day bus pass at the welcome/arrival meeting. Find out more about obtaining further Travel passes here.

• Applying for British Residency Permit (BRP) Within 6 months - Select Swindon Town Centre Library for appointment bookings. You may need to keep checking as slots become available each day (similar to Covid Vaccine booking previously).

• Apply for Pension Credit (if over 66)

If you need further Financial Advice, contact Citizens Advice

Register children for school (ages 4 to 15 years)

• Apply online for Swindon Schools

• Schools and Education information page

• Apply for Child Benefit (if applicable)

Once enrolled in school, you can apply for Free School Meals for each child online.

Once your guests have settled they may need/want to find a job. Below are a number of useful Ukraine sites to help them with job hunting.

• Remote Jobs for Ukrainians

• Ukraine Institute London UK Jobs

• UA Talents Job Listings

• Swindon Job Centre search

Also try searching on Google for Swindon jobs, as well as several Facebook groups.

Do you have any useful work contacts / Facebook friends you could request job information from to help your guests find a job? Put a shout out to friends and family too.

Here are a few suggestions for Hosts and Guests should you need support:

• British Red Cross support line call free 0808 196 3651 (open daily 10am - 6pm) and you can ask for an interpreter if you need one.

• The Samaritans call free 116 123

• (Hosts) Supporting Ukrainian guests in your home British Red Cross page

• Host Support Course FREE course offering essential basic training for all those living, working or volunteering with refugees.

• Contact Swindon Welcomes Ukraine Team and we will help with social/community introductions and local guidance and support about living in Swindon.

• Apply for the Sponsor Payment from Home For Ukraine Scheme

• Moving On (English) - Useful document when considering accommodation options when Homes For Ukraine sponsorship comes to an end. (Ukraine Translation)

• Are you a National Trust member? Request a FREE 6 month pass for each of your guests by calling 0344 8001895

• Information on Longer term Housing options

• English Classes ESOL.

  • Register Interest via the Warm Welcome Team at Swindon Borough Council.

• Join the Swindon library to borrow/loan books, eBooks, eAudiobooks.

• UkraineRefugeeHelp.co.uk great resource for up to date information

Thank you for hosting. You may now be wondering what your options are as you approach 6 or 12 months of hosting. You can read more about your options on our dedicated page.