Agenda item

Ukrainian support group update:

·       Brill – Emi Slater and Jennifer Tuffley

·       Long Crendon – Morgan Holt

·       Waddesdon Hall - Agnieszka Alborzpour

Bernwood Bus Charity

Brill Parish Councillors Jennifer Tuffley and Emi Slater were in attendance to present an overview of the “Brill with Ukraine” group. It was explained that they meet every fortnight as a way to share information and resolve issues. Some of their activities included organising volunteers to help support guests, matching potential hosts with guests from Ukraine, and organising emergency accommodation with individuals who were willing to host for a few weeks. It was noted that Ross Tackley, Community Board Manager for Chesham & Villages and Representative for Community Boards for the Ukraine Team, had been attending meetings to help answer questions. It was identified that they were looking for a car to support travel for a Ukrainian guest and had reached out to local garages.

The following key points were raised in discussion:

• Ukrainian guests were arriving on a six-month visa and could apply to stay for up to three years. In this time, they were entitled to UK benefits and are able to work.
• A willingness to seek employment, as it was noted that guests were prioritising finding work in order to send money back to Ukraine. Individuals had been able to organise work with the local pub, cover for an office job, and volunteering through NHS links.
• A focus has been on learning English, as some saw their stay as temporary and weren’t looking to settle in the long-term.
• There had been an increase in attendance in families from surrounding villages such as Chearsley.
• Housing after the initial six months had been a concern.

Morgan Holt was present to speak about the “Long Crendon for Ukraine” support group. The following key points were highlighted:

• The group identified the primary needs for Guests including clothes, household items, toys, clubs, hospitality and events, professional counselling, assistance with paperwork and admin, language support, and transport. The needs of the Hosts were identified as pastoral and community support.
• The group organised six sub-groups to target specific need areas, each with a corresponding coordinator and team of volunteers.
• It was recognised that support areas had different lifespans, with activities sourcing clothing, transport and help with documentation winding down. It was noted that language support had been expanding at both beginner and intermediate level.
• The group recognised the challenges faced by Guests and Hosts when coming to the end of the 6-month hosting period. It was noted that Tess Honeybell, Rothschild Foundation, was providing helpful support with this and helping Guests find alternative accommodation.
• In reference to a previous question on employment opportunities for Guests, M Holt explained that there was a job agency located in Long Crendon that specialised in work for Eastern European workers, who had been useful in identifying suitable employment.

In the discussion that followed, the disparity between the treatment of Ukrainian refugees and other refugee groups was raised. It was explained that the Ukrainian response was driven by central government, as the Homes for Ukraine Scheme gave financial support to Hosts and supported Guests through 3-year visas. E Slater stated that this experience shows the public that approaches taken towards asylum seekers and refugees can be changed to be more supportive.

E Hassall explained that Agnieszka Alborzpour, who was scheduled to give an update on the Waddesdon Hall Ukraine Support Group, was unable to attend. On A Alborzpour’s behalf, E Hassall described the Waddesdon Hall “thank you” event, which was held on 24 August 2022. The event was to thank the local community for their continued support and to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day. The full update would be attached to the minutes.

Councillor Ashley Waite and Councillor Paul Irwin gave an update on the Bernwode Bus, which provides community transport. The Community Board were informed of the following projects:

• Eco Warriors to support environmental activities such as litter picking.
• Utilising Heart of Bucks funding to provide transport support to Ukrainian refugees.
• Bernie’s Buddies organising day trips for those aged over 65.
• Bernie’s “Eat Out to Keep Warm” pilot scheme to give out 150 £10 food vouchers to people in Waddesdon, Ashendon, Wescott and Quainton.
• 9 Christmas projects including music runs, food collections for food banks, and meeting Santa for breakfast in Quainton.
• Bernie’s Food Appeal with a total of 26 food collection points including Haydon Hill, Stone, Brill, and Oakley. Councillor P Irwin stated that a minimum of half a tonne of food was being delivered to the Vineyard food bank as a result.
• 5000 Can Challenge to get organisations such as schools, Parish Councils, Churches, and charities to request that attendees bring 1 can of food to events to reach a target of 5000 cans donated to foodbanks.

Councillor Greg Smith enquired into transportation for day trips on behalf of a residential care home in Haddenham. They were encouraged to get in touch with the Bernwode Bus, as they had supported similar ventures with the Waddesdon Wednesday Club and Quainton Club.