Fife has always welcomed refugees from around the world and, working with partner agencies and supportive communities, we are playing our part again.
Scottish Government advice and information
- Super Sponsor Scheme and Homes for Ukraine: guidance for local authorities
- Council Tax discounts protected under the Ukraine sponsorship scheme
- Safeguarding Ukrainian arrivals - free enhanced disclosure checks
- Getting to Scotland: information for displaced people from Ukraine
- A Warm Welcome (Ukrainian) - A Warm Scottish Welcome from the First Minister and useful contacts
- A Warm Welcome (Russian) - A Warm Scottish Welcome from the First Minister and useful contacts
If you are a host, or want more information on support for displaced people from Ukraine, please sign up to the Scottish Government’s newsletter for regular updates.
National sources of advice
Government advice and policy decisions are changing regularly. Check these sources for the latest guidance:
- Advice for British Nationals who remain in Ukraine: Ukraine travel advice (www.gov.uk)
- Welcome: A Guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK (English version) – produced by UK Government, includes what to know in the first few days, getting used to life in the UK, finding a home, accessing essential services, healthcare, work, childcare and education services
- Welcome: A Guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK (Ukrainian version)
- Welcome: A Guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK (Russian version)
- Sources of support for sponsors hosting people from Ukraine - produced by the UK Government
Visit Support for family members of British nationals in Ukraine, and Ukrainian nationals in Ukraine and the UK on Gov.UK for advice on:
- Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (announced on 19th February 2024)
- Family Migration Visa (for immediate family members of a British National)
- Ukrainian Family Scheme (for extended family members)
- Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukraine (for those without ties to the UK)
- Ukrainians who remain in the UK with leave due to expire
Support in the Community
Fife has lots of groups and organisations that you can join and make contact within your community. Visit the On Your Doorstep website to see what's available in your area.
The Well is a place where you can drop in, both in your community and online and find out information and receive general advice to help you stay well and independent within your local community. Visit The Well website for more information.
Other help
- Gov.UK - Ukraine: how you can help - includes staying safe on social media, cybersecurity, and applying to be a sponsor
- the Scottish Refugee Council is putting together information for people in Scotland affected by the crisis, you can call them on 0808 196 7274. They are also organising online information sessions for Ukrainian arrivals or their families.
- Just Right Scotland's Ukraine Advice Scotland project - providing free, confidential legal advice and information to Ukrainians and their families on legal routes for seeking safety in Scotland
- Free Movement are providing a summary of current immigration routes and concessions available to Ukrainians coming to the UK
- A guide to NHS Scotland Services for displaced persons from Ukraine (Ukrainian) - information about NHS Scotland Services for displaced persons from Ukraine
- A guide to NHS Scotland Services for displaced persons from Ukraine (Russian) -information about NHS Scotland Services for displaced persons from Ukraine
- A Guide to Scots Law (Ukrainian version)
- The Well – guidance and support on health, wellbeing, social activities, community support, mental health, bereavement and much more. Visit in person or drop in online. See publications below for translated information The Well Leaflet (English), The Well Leaflet (Ukrainian), The Well Leaflet (Russian)
- Banking - there are a range of banking providers with different types of accounts available, you should choose the one that suits you the best. The following banks have provided information specifically for Ukrainians who have recently arrived. Ukrainian and Russian translations are available: Royal Bank of Scotland, and, Nat West
- The Open University - a range of measures aimed at helping students and Ukrainians fleeing the war and arriving in the UK. These include
- financial support and assistance for existing OU students
- a funding lifeline to potential students from Ukraine now living in the UK
- free online learning and partnerships with wider support networks
- A key part of the OU’s support package is extensive online free resources for Ukrainians on its popular platform 'OpenLearn'. There is a further free-to-learn cultural and language course being created aimed at those housing, caring for, or working with Ukrainians.
- STEP Ukraine is an intensive, virtual, 12-week English language and employment programme, free for all Ukrainians, over the age of 18, who are now living in the UK.
- You can join if you are unemployed or if you have a job but are hoping to move into more relevant employment. We can also support people interested in self-employment.
- Interested? Go to https://www.worldjewishrelief.org/stepukraine/ for more information, and to complete the referral form, or call freephone 0800 319 6089.
- Os oes angen cyfieithiad o’r adnoddau yma, plis cysylltwch a ni step@worldjewishrelief.org
- Если вы предпочитаете получать содействие и поддержку в вопросах трудоустройства на русском языке, пожалуйста, пишите по адресу step@worldjewishrelief.org
General FAQs
One of the best ways to help is by donating cash through trusted charities and aid organisations, rather than donating goods. Cash can be transferred quickly to areas where it's needed, and individuals and aid organisations can use it to buy what is most needed.
Unsolicited donations of goods, although well-meant, can obstruct supply chains and delay more urgent life-saving assistance from getting through.
Organisations across the UK are gathering essential supplies, such as clothes, first aid and sanitary products. Many charities and community groups will have lists of items they need. Charities with experience in responding to disasters are best placed to reach victims on the ground.
- Donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal - the UK Government will match public donations to this appeal pound for pound
- Fife Voluntary Action is coordinating information about current community collections and local donation points.
Thousands of refugees will hopefully enter the UK. They will be housed across the country to spread the demand on our housing system. Fife will rehome a comparatively small number of refugees.
We use a points system to work out how urgent anyone's housing need is so that we can prioritise how council-owned homes are allocated. People with more urgent needs rise to the top of the list more quickly. People who are more flexible about where they live may get a tenancy more quickly if they accept a property that others have refused.
Contact Us
If you need any help or advice then please get in touch with us on 03451 55 00 33.
