Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) say they are acting as a ‘facilitator’ to connect people who have volunteered to take in refugee families from the stricken eastern European state.
So far, around 59 households have been listed as receiving Ukrainian refugees across the borough of Tunbridge Wells, after hundreds of people put their name down on the government website with offers of accommodation.
The government then launched its official Homes for Ukraine scheme, which went live on Monday, March 21. A household housing a refugee can claim £350 a month, tax-free.
Following the launch of the scheme, TWBC said last week that they were expecting at least 160 people from Ukraine over the next couple of weeks but that the figure was ‘growing by around 10 guests a day’.
It is likely more than 200 Ukrainian refugees will make their home in the borough over the coming months.
A spokesperson for the authority said: “We have, once again, been impressed by the way in which local residents, business and community groups have stepped up to the plate to support the UK ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme.
“Residents can register through the national portal and we have set up a special page on our website (tunbridgewells.gov.uk/Ukraine) where we have posted some information and which we will continue to update.
“We are getting lots of offers of support. It is still early days and we don’t yet know the precise nature of what support our guests will want but we are actively working to ensure that we have clothes and household goods for them, that there are places where families can meet up, seek support and how we can support them integrate into society through things like English language lessons and translation services.
“At present, we are unable to assist with the matching process. Once residents have successfully made a match and submitted a visa application, we are passed the data and will arrange for hosts to have their safeguarding checks and for their homes to be assessed for safety and comfort.
“We will also work to get guests into schools, registered with GP practices and registered for benefits.
“We are in constant dialogue with a range of community groups, partner agencies and parish and town councils to ensure that we prepare for the arrival of our Ukrainian guests and respond to any issues that arise.”
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council chief executive, William Benson, has made available a ‘gateway office’ in the town centre, for groups to work together to co-ordinate families and refugees, and the Council’s TN2 Centre is being used to store donations.
