Support for refugees from Ukraine
Find out what support is available and how Southwark residents can help.
Read the welcome guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK. It is available in English, Ukrainian and Russian. It covers:
- what you need to know in your first few days
- getting used to life in the UK including how to find a home
- how to access essential public services (such as council and healthcare services)
- what to do if things go wrong and help from emergency services (police, ambulance and fire services)
- how to find work and childcare
- accessing schools and colleges
- claiming state benefits
- getting a National Insurance Number
You may also find the following helpful:
- UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals
- apply for a visa under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme
- further visa support if you're a Ukrainian in the UK
Organisations that support refugees and asylum seekers
Southwark Legal Advice Network is a network of advice agencies that can provide guidance and support on immigration, housing, benefits, employment and other issues.
The Red Cross provides a variety of support and advice for Ukrainians arriving in the UK. For more information or for emotional support, call their support line: 0808 196 3651 (open between 10am and 6pm daily). If you need a support line interpreter, call and say: 'can I speak to an interpreter?'.
Migrant Help UK is a charity that supports people affected by displacement and exploitation.
What Southwark residents can do to help
If you want to offer your home to refugees from Ukraine, you can register your interest in taking part in the Homes for Ukraine scheme. You can offer to host someone:
- applying to come to the UK (you would be their ‘sponsor’)
- already living in the UK
Useful links
- the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) runs appeals to get funding to support for refugees and displaced people
- donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine appeal
- Community Southwark has a list of other ways to help people from Ukraine
- Home Office has a 24/7 free helpline on +44 808 164 8810 (0808 164 8810 if you’re in the UK) or +44 (0)175 390 7510