Support for those arriving in the UK
What should I before I enter the UK?
Check what you need do before you travel and arrive in the UK here and in the welcome guide linked below.UK Welcome Guide
Find your welcome guide hereThe welcome pack provides guidance on:
- What needs to be done before arriving in the UK.
- What to do once you have arrived and getting used the life in the UK.
- How to find a home, access essential public services, healthcare, find work.
- Childcare and education services.
- Specific information for those arriving on the Home for Ukraine Scheme (see below for more info on Homes for Ukraine)
Barnardo’s Free Helpline
Barnardo’s have a free Ukrainian Support helpline to provide a holistic support service on 0800 148 8586The helpline is open Monday-Friday 10am-8pm and Saturday 10am-3pm for advice on a range of topics.
The helpline is staffed by English, Ukrainian and Russian speakers to offer support to children and families arriving in the UK from Ukraine.
There is also a dedicated email address ukrainiansupport@barnardos.org.uk
What is the Council doing?
Funding
For information on the Tameside Resettlement Scheme, Migrant Destitution Fund and Refugee Integration Loan please click hereTameside Council Asylum and Immigration Support
Tameside Council have welcomed asylum seekers for many years, we take great pride in resettling and welcoming refugees into the borough.For asylum and immigration support please visit www.tameside.gov.uk/asylumandimmigration
Wider Immigration Support
Ukrainian Advice Project
The Ukrainian Advice Project offers free UK immigration advice for people fleeing Ukraine.Work Rights Centre
The Work Rights Centre provides advice on:- Getting safely out of Ukraine
- Coming to the UK from Ukraine
- Joining a family member settled in the UK
- Homes for Ukraine: Ukrainians sponsored by someone in the UK
- Ukrainians in the UK
- If your visa is about to expire
- If you need immigration advice
- Arriving in neighbouring countries
United for Ukraine Job Scheme
Business leaders from across the north have joined forces to provide employment opportunities and support for Ukrainians who have fled their country.This scheme is for Ukrainian nationals, and other refugees who are eligible.
Please visit www.unitedforukraine.org.uk for eligibility and job opportunities in the north of England.
The Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit
The GM Immigration Aid Unit offer information for those seeking Asylum, extending your stay in the UK and explains available government schemes.Europia
Europia provide free advice, advocacy support, guidance and information for the most vulnerable EU nations.Consular Assistance for UK Nationals in Ukraine
If you’re a British national in Ukraine and need consular assistance, phone +380 44 490 3660 (open 24 hours, 7 days a week).For more information for consular services such as how to get an emergency travel document or support for immediate family members of British nationals in Ukraine, please visit www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-kyiv
Food Support
Upon display of a passport and boarding pass/ticket showing an arrival date in the UK, Ukrainian nationals arriving in GM are eligible to travel for free for up to 48 hours from point of arrival to final UK destination.For full details of the scheme visit tfgm.com/Ukraine
UK Government Sponsorship Schemes
You can find an overview of UK visa support for Ukrainian Nationals here, including advice for those with and without family in the UK.Homes for Ukraine
The free Homes for Ukraine Scheme will allow you to apply for UK sponsorship. This will allow you to live, work and access public funds for up to three years.To apply you must Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national.
For further information on eligibility and more information on the application process, click here
Ukrainian Family Scheme
The Ukrainian Family Scheme allows applicants to join family members or extend their stay in the UK. This scheme is free to apply and will able you to live, work, study and access public funds in the UK.To apply you must have a UK-based family member.
For eligibility criteria and to apply, click here
Welfare Support in Tameside
Food Support
Tameside has many food bank and communit6y pantries across the borough to support you and your family. Visit our Food Support page for locations and opening times.Many of these services offer more than just food, some may offer support around mental health and wellbeing, food parcels, financial advice and support, and community ran groups to reduce social isolation and much more.
Welfare Rights and Debt Advice
The service provides impartial, independent, confidential and free advice to Tameside residents on a range of benefit and tax credit enquiries.You can request advice from the Welfare Rights Service online or by emailing welfare@tameside.gov.uk
Alternatively you can phone the Benefits Freephone Advice Line on 0800 074 9985 (Monday and Wednesday 9.30am – 12.30pm).
If you require a benefit check you can do this at www.entitledto.co.uk
Citizens Advice Tameside
You can also contact Citizens Advice Tameside for free, confidential and impartial advice. Advisors can give information on a range of issues and can offer practical support such as help with filling in forms, writing letters or negotiating with third parties.You can also contact the service through their Freephone Adviceline 0808 278 7805, open Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm (excluding Bank Holidays).
Advice Tameside
Advice Tameside provides information and advice for those experiencing financial difficulties and can sign-post you to helpful services.Health and Wellbeing Support
Mental Health Support
We understand that that leaving your home country and adapting to a new place is stressful. Moving will affect everyone differently, if you or someone you love is struggling, please visit https://www.tameside.gov.uk/mentalhealthsupport for mental health support and services.If you, or someone you know, are struggling to cope and needs urgent mental health support please click here.
If you or someone else is seriously harmed or injured, always call 999 or go to your nearest A&E
Helping your children understand the war
Young children may have a hard time processing the conflict. Action together have gathered resources to help you reassure and ease your child’s worries.Please visit Helping children understand the war/address worries | Action Together for links to resources and information.