Boltonians have welcomed more than 100 Ukrainians fleeing war into their homes since the Russian invasion in February.
Figures published by Bolton Council show that 46 households in the borough have welcomed refugees under the Homes For Ukraine scheme with the number of households expected to rise to 57 by July next year, meaning 139 people will have been given sanctuary by then.
In documents published this week, the council has outlined the support it offers to Ukrainians arriving and settling into Bolton with a range of measures to help them find work, claim benefits and make use of services.
The report said the Bolton Branch of The Association of Ukraine Great Britain had been ‘instrumental’ in the success of the scheme in the borough with them providing a massive amount of support to those arriving.
In March, the Government launched the Homes for Ukraine scheme, inviting individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to record their interest in supporting Ukrainians fleeing the war, allowing them to bring Ukrainians who have no family ties in the UK, to safety.
Phase one of the scheme allowed sponsors to nominate a Ukrainian or Ukrainian family to stay with them in their home.
The hosts were invited to house a family offering them accommodation for at least six months and would receive a £350 per month ‘thank you payment’.
Once the host had been matched with a Ukraine guest, the council were required to carry out checks on property suitability and safeguarding.
The report gave details of how the scheme is funded.
It said: “The local authority will receive a sum of £10,500 as a one-off payment per guest.
“On arrival each guest will be issued with an interim payment of £200 to support any initial needs.
“Under the scheme all guests arriving from Ukraine will have access to public services, work and benefits.
“This one-off funding will be required to support the entirety of the scheme.
“National sponsor arrangements are expected to run for a minimum of 6 months to 12 months.
“We anticipate a need to offer support and interventions with guests through sponsor placements and transitions into longer term accommodation and settlement.
“We anticipate therefore the scheme will likely require support over an 18 month period.”
The report gave special mention to the Bolton Branch of The Association of Ukraine Great Britain.
It said: “They have been instrumental in engaging with the households, including others from Ukraine who have arrived in Bolton under the family visa
scheme or any other route.
“They have proactively managed welcome and social events, conversational English lessons and have been supporting household placements and sponsors with a range of practical and on occasion financial support.”
The cost of the scheme to the council, largely government funded, is anticipated to be £1,459,500 by July 2023.
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