VAST   |   Tel: 01782 683030   |   Email: sottogether@vast.org.uk

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Ukraine Support

Stoke-on-Trent has a long history of supporting those in need and welcoming people from troubled nations into our communities. So, when the people of Ukraine began to face a time of conflict, Stoke-on-Trent Together responded.

With information on how to support people from Ukraine, useful links for information and support, and details on the Government’s ‘Homes for Ukraine’ appeal, the Stoke-on-Trent Together website collated as much information as possible; support for people who had recently arrived in Stoke-on-Trent and the different ways local residents and communities could support them.

Donations

People from across the city wanted to do whatever they could to help and the safest and easiest way to do that was to donate through the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

DEC is made up of a number of charities who will be able to help refugees with essentials like food, water, shelter, and healthcare. DEC’s ‘Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal’ ran from March 2022 until August 2025, the longest running campaign in its history, and supported more than 10 million people that had been affected by the conflict.

Homes for Ukraine

The UK Government launched the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme where individuals, charities, community groups, and businesses could offer accommodation and become a sponsor for refugees who were coming to the UK.

Approximately 150 Ukrainians came to Stoke-on-Trent through the UK’s humanitarian sponsorship routes, which included Homes for Ukraine and the Ukraine Family Scheme, and sponsorships for Ukrainian refugees was often around double the recommended number of sponsors for Councils in England.

Local Voluntary Sector Support

The voluntary sector in Stoke-on-Trent rallied as always and VAST was able to ensure that existing and emerging local charities, CICs, voluntary organisations, and community groups were well equipped to support their beneficiaries, particularly those arriving in the city from Ukraine. The groups already established to support refugees and asylum seekers included ASHA North Staffordshire, Burslem Jubilee, and Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke-on-Trent. Read this BBC News story about one Stokie’s experience as a host.

With funding from NAVCA, the membership body for Local Infrastructure Organisations (LIOs) like VAST, working in partnership with regional and local councils, public and health services, funders, and other voluntary organisations across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, and as a collective with VAST were able to support 40 VCSE groups and over 1,000 Ukrainians.

This VCSE support included:

  • A support network and follow-up newsletter for groups working with Ukrainian refugees.
  • Supporting organising events.
  • Building capacity and organisational development.
  • Help with writing funding applications.
  • Support for creating links and developing partnerships and collaborations.
  • Financial support through funding from the Community Foundation for Staffordshire and Shropshire.

Other Support

As well as the above, other support included:

  • Frequently asked questions around ‘Homes for Ukraine’.
  • Support for Ukrainians arriving in Stoke-on-Trent.
  • Help for Ukrainian Nationals.
  • Information on schools and childcare places.
  • Signposting to resources and services for immigration, mental health, and translation services.
  • Translated resources on healthcare, housing, and benefits for Ukrainian refugees.