Overview of the scheme

The Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their family members to come to the UK through a named sponsor visa.
To register interest for this scheme, please visit the GOV.UK website or email us for any further information or guidance at homesforukraine@peterborough.gov.uk
Once a Ukrainian national has received their visa, they are free to travel to their sponsor's property. Safety measures, such as an accommodation check and a DBS check will be completed before the guest arrives in order to guarantee their safety and comfort.
Ukrainians arriving under this scheme will be able to live and work in the UK for up to three years and access benefits, healthcare, employment, and other support.
Read more information about becoming a sponsor on the GOV.UK website.

Support available for refugees

Refugees will receive a singular £200 subsistence payment per individual after a welcome visit has been completed to enable them to settle and purchase essentials.
All refugees can apply for Universal Credit, if yourself as a host is unable to put this into place for your guests, our H.E.L.P charity is able to assist.
If you require specific help to support your refugees, please see the information below on our H.E.L.P charity who are able to assist, or email directly to homesforukraine@peterborough.gov.uk.

Welcome email

Once the Homes for Ukraine team receives a newly matched sponsor and guest on their system, we send a welcome email to the sponsor. This email contains all relevant information on the sponsorship process and arrival process.

It also indicates the necessary requirements such as a DBS check and accommodation check which all sponsors must complete.

Helping Empower Lives in Peterborough (H.E.L.P)

H.E.L.P works in conjunction with the City Council as the main point of contact for new arrivals, looking out for their welfare and supporting their integration for at least the first year.
The charity provides many different points of support and opportunities for all Ukrainian refugees. For example, they can assist with forms, such as school admissions and universal credit, English lessons, mental health, food and any arising safety concerns.
When your refugees arrive to your property, help will conduct a welcome visit to help settle into the property, any urgent needs and assistance will be taken care of. Once the welcome visit has been conducted, your refugees will receive their £200 payment via a Post Office Voucher to their direct email.
Visit the H.E.L.P. Charity Website to find out more

If you would like to contact H.E.L.P directly, please see below for their contact details.

01733 735563 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
info@helpcharity.org.uk (General enquiries)
outreach@helpcharity.org.uk (Fundraising, Events etc)
learn@helpcharity.org.uk (For English Lessons)
befriender@helpcharity.org.uk (For Ukrainian Support)

Welcome packs

Listed below are welcome packs provided by Peterborough City Council. There are English and Ukrainian versions available.

They detail instructions and contact references in case of any uncertainties. If you are still unsure, you can contact the Homes for Ukraine team via homesforukraine@peterborough.gov.uk

English (opens in Google docs) and Ukrainian (opens in Google docs)

More information is available:

The hosting process

You are named on a visa application through the Homes for Ukraine scheme by one or more refugees that you intend to host for a minimum of six months.
The visa application is processed, and information is shared with your local authority (Peterborough City Council)
We will organise an accommodation check through our housing service to confirm that the property is suitable accommodation for the guests
We will facilitate DBS checks for all individuals aged 16+ in the hosting household. If you are hosting guests over the age of 18, this will require a basic DBS. Those that are under the age of 18 and a minor, will require an enhanced DBS.
When the DBS check is confirmed as clear and you have confirmed the arrival of your guests, for hosts that are interested in receiving monthly thank you payments (£350), we will look to process these in arrears, on the first of each month. There is one payment per household and the payment is not related to the number of refugees being hosted.

Should there be any issues with the accommodation check or any safeguarding issues, these will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Arrivals

We need you as hosts and / or refugees to notify us once any individuals arrive. We know that the speculative arrival dates on the visa forms may change for various reasons. Please email homesforukraine@peterborough.gov.uk when they have arrived.
Following your confirmation of arrival, we will arrange a welcome visit via H.E.L.P to visit you and your new arrival(s). It is at this time we will initiate the £200 welcome payment to each guest. Any individuals with care needs can receive needs assessments at this visit or a subsequent visit.
You can visit H.E.L.P prior to your guest arriving and once they have arrived, we would encourage you to reach out to H.E.L.P to see all they have going on that week. You can also take your guests to St Olga’s at 67 New Road, Woodston, Peterborough PE2 9HD on Sundays to meet others from the local Ukrainian Community.

Visa application

Unfortunately, the Local Authority cannot assist with visa queries. The Local Authority only have the ability to view the status of visa applications i.e. (‘pending’, ‘approved’ or ‘missing application details’.
We cannot see details or the reasons for the delays to applications
Visa queries need to be directed to the Home Office, you can contact them on the free 24 hour helpline if you need help:

Ukraine helpline

Telephone: + 44 808 164 8810
Telephone: +44 (0)175 390 7510 (if you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers)

The helpline is open 7 days a week. Alternatively, please visit UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals (GOV.UK website) for more information.

Any other queries

If you cannot find the relevant information you are looking for, please email your queries to homesforukraine@peterborough.gov.uk.

Frequently asked questions

Ukraine family scheme - Current and prospective hosts of Ukrainian family members