Introduction
Thank you for considering hosting under Homes for Ukraine. Your support makes a real difference to those displaced by war.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched in 2022 by the UK Government. Since then, Somerset has welcomed over 2,000 Ukrainians, thanks to the generosity and kindness of local Somerset residents.
The sponsor process
If you are a new sponsor and want to register to participate in Homes for Ukraine:
- Register your interest on GOV.UK - Homes for Ukraine: Register your interest
- The sponsor or the guest fills out the single visa application form online using both parties’ details.
Please be aware that the minimum period of sponsorship is 6 months.
You can find more information on GOV.UK.
Once you have applied
- Central Government are responsible for the vetting checks that determine the outcome of the visa application.
- Information about matched sponsors is then passed to the local council to initiate local checks to ensure the support and safe arrival of guests.
- In Somerset, we will send sponsors an online Homes for Ukraine Sponsor Form that will help us plan for the checks that need to be completed. You will need to provide details about your household members and all guests, as this will help us to determine the correct level of DBS check required.
- Our local checks will not impact someone’s ability to travel and does not speed up the visa application.
What you need to consider when offering a home
Before hosting, please check that your home meets these standards.
- Working fire alarm
- Carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel appliance
- Safe gas supply
- Access to kitchen and bathroom facilities
Space and overcrowding advice
Two people should not share a room unless they are:
- Adult cohabiting partners
- Parent and child
- Two siblings of the same gender if aged over 10
- Two siblings of any gender if aged under 10
- Individuals who did not previously know each other should not share a room
Caravans, mobile homes and outbuildings
Caravans and outbuildings will generally not be acceptable accommodations unless they have the correct planning permissions, full amenities (including potable water, appropriate drainage and sanitary facilities, electricity and heating) sufficient space, thermal insulation and sufficient fire precautions.
The property check will confirm the suitability of the home for the match suggested.
Local checks that we will complete
- Property Checks – Before your guests arrive, you will be contacted by Somerset Independent Plus to arrange a property check for the home you are offering, to ensure this is safe and suitable for your Ukrainian guest(s).
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks – All members of the sponsor’s household aged 16 and over will require a DBS check. The Homes for Ukraine team will contact you to initiate your DBS application. The type of application that you require will depend on the profile of your Ukrainian guests. The replies you provide on the digital form will help us to determine which application that you need. However, if you are still unsure, please notify the Homes for Ukraine team when they contact you and they will assist you. For those who required Enhanced DBS checks, we will arrange to see your DBS certificates once all certificates have been returned by your household.
What happens when your guest arrives
- Once you know that visas have been issued and have an arrival date for your guest(s), please notify HomesforUkraine@somerset.gov.uk. We may not get notification centrally when your guest(s) arrives.
- Ukrainian guests will be contacted after their arrival and invited to a welfare check by Thrive.
Welcome hubs
| Location | Opening times | Key contacts |
|---|---|---|
| LocationSomerset West: CHARIS Refugees, 16/17 Hammet Street, Taunton TA1 1RZ | Opening timesOpen 10am to 3pm Monday to Thursday Second, fourth and fifth Tuesday (if there is one) of the month: Welfare checks First and third Tuesday of the month 10am to 12.30pm: Employment Hub Wednesday 10am to 12pm: Wellbeing Café First Thursday in the month 1pm to 3 pm: Knitting Monday to Thursday: ESOL | Key contactsHub Manager: Luzma Jimenez Email: taunton@charisrefugees.org Phone: 07754 875093 |
| LocationSomerset North: Victoria Park Community Centre, Victoria Park Drive, Bridgwater TA6 7AS Hamp Recreation Community Centre, Rhode Lane, Bridgwater, TA6 6HZ | Opening timesDrop in and welfare checks Monday 9am to 1pm at Victoria Park Thursday 9am to 1pm at Hamp Recreation ESOL Classes Victoria Park Community Centre – Monday 9.15am to 1pm Westfield church – Wednesday 9.30am to 4.30pm, Friday 9am to 1pm | Key contactsHub Manager: Suzanne Todd Email: suzannet@somersetrcc.org.uk |
| LocationSomerset East: Frome Town Council, Frome Town Hall, Christchurch Street West, Frome BA11 1EB | Opening timesTuesdays 10am to 3pm Thursdays 12pm to 2pm: Welfare Checks | Key contactsHub Advice Officers Iryna Ladyzhenska Email: info@frometowncouncil.gov.uk Mobile: 07710 056210 Nikki Cox, Partnership Lead Email: info@frometowncouncil.gov.uk Phone: 01373 475579 |
| LocationSomerset West: Watchet and Minehead The Sanctuary 38 Swain Street, Watchet TA23 0AE Minehead Eye, 1 Mart Road, Minehead TA24 5BT | Opening timesWednesday 3pm to 5pm (Minehead Eye) Thursday 10am to 1pm (The Sanctuary) Welfare checks on both days | Key contactsHub Manager: Kate Kennedy Email: katek@somersetrcc.org.uk Phone: 07964 059296 |
| LocationSomerset East: Wells City Council and Wells Community Network, Portway Annexe, The Portway Building, Portway Avenue, Wells BA5 2QF | Opening timesPortway Annexe, The Portway Building, Portway Avenue, Wells BA5 2QF Monday and Thursday 10 am to 1pm: Drop-ins and welfare checks English lessons throughout the week (contact Hub for details) Street – Quaker Meeting House, 36 High Street, Street BA16 0EB First Friday of the month from July 2024 10am to midday | Key contactsHub Manager: Anna Tumanova Email: refhub@Wells.gov.uk Phone: 07821 811737 Assistant Hub Manager: Inna Prykhodko Email: refassist@wells.gov.uk Wells Community Network contact details: wcnukraine@gmail.com Helpline: 01749 467079 |
| LocationSomerset South: Yeovil Community Church, The Gateway, Addlewell Lane, Yeovil BA20 1QN | Opening timesMonday 2pm to 4pm and Wednesday 10am to 12pm Both sessions include welfare checks | Key contactsHub Manager: Vicki Pritchard
Email: resettlement@yeovil4family.org.uk Phone: 07735 815 266 |
Somerset Council and Thrive are proud to offer the Welcome to All programme, a two-year project with Voluntary and Community organisations to welcome Displaced People living in Somerset. Further information can be found on the welcome to all – Thrive website.
Sponsor thank you payments
Sponsors or hosts are eligible to receive £350 a month per household, irrespective of how long guests have been in the UK. This payment will be tax free and should not affect your Council Tax status or entitlement to benefits.
The named lead sponsor will need to apply for the ‘Thank you’ by completing an online Somerset Council form. The following needs to be met:
- The named lead sponsor has confirmed the accommodation is available for at least 6 months
- Confirmation the guest has moved into the sponsors accommodation
Sponsor payment information
- We will make a ‘Thank you’ payment of £350 one month in arrears to the named lead sponsors nominated bank account from the date the guest moves into the sponsor household, subject to all the relevant checks.
- We will backdate the payment to the date the guest moves into the sponsor household.
- The named lead sponsor will receive a maximum of one monthly payment for each residential address paid monthly in arrears, regardless of the number of guests being hosted, and regardless of size or location of the property.
- If a guest leaves the household before the 14th day of the month, they move out the sponsor will not get a payment for that month.
- The sponsor must tell the Somerset Council immediately if their guest moves out.
- Lead sponsors are not eligible for the £350 monthly payment if they are charging the guest rent.
- Lead sponsors are not eligible for the £350 monthly payment if they are related to or a close family member of the guest they are sponsoring.
Further information can be found on GOV.UK – Paying sponsors/hosts: Homes for Ukraine
If your guest needs to move accommodation, please email HomesforUkraine@somerset.gov.uk