Further support will be available to individuals and families arriving from Ukraine and sponsors as part of a new service.br />
Following initial support from Hampshire County Council and the government, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Basingstoke Voluntary Action has developed further help locally in the borough. br />
This includes a new community caseworker who will make contact with sponsors and families arriving to the borough to signpost them to the support and community services available. This is in addition to BVA’s Ukraine Supporters Network.

They will also work closely with community groups and organisations across Basingstoke and Deane to connect them with families living in their areas.br />
In addition, the council will continue to work with BVA, sponsors and Ukrainian families to provide targeted and specialist support for topics such as homelessness prevention, support to access benefits, housing needs assessments and rehousing options and placements.

The targeted support follows the work both organisations have been doing to help the county council to deliver help to sponsors and families, including the development of a Basingstoke and Deane welcome pack.

Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Cllr Simon Bound said: “As a borough we have a proud history of helping the government deliver support for refugees looking to start a new life away from conflict and violence. I am proud that so many people across the borough have come forward and are providing a safe and welcoming home to individuals and families.

“We have a well-established network of key partners that we are working closely with and hope this additional tailored support will help sponsors and families to access the help and services they need and develop a strong link to the areas where they are living.”

Chief Executive of Basingstoke Voluntary Action Tony Capon said: “We are proud to support the emergency community response to the Ukraine crisis. The community of Basingstoke and Deane has responded incredibly in welcoming refugees. The creation of the Ukraine Supporters Network across the borough has seen a heart-warming level of engagement by residents and partners in coming together to avoid duplication of effort and to appropriately target support where it is needed most.

“The expansion of the network through this Community Caseworker role will enable us to efficiently identify and champion welfare and community integration needs collaboratively with the council and wider partners.”

To view the Welcome to Basingstoke and Deane guide, visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/welcome-guide and for more information on support available locally, visit www.bvaction.org.uk/ukraine

ENDS