COUNCILS in Cheshire are preparing to welcome Ukrainian refugees as residents open their homes to those fleeing the conflict.

The Government opened the Homes for Ukraine scheme on March 18, giving UK residents chance to sign up as a sponsor and provide accommodation to refugees.

Both Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council are now getting in touch with sponsors in the boroughs who have already been matched with Ukrainian guests, offering support and advice and outlining next steps before their guests’ arrival.

Cllr Louise Gittins, leader of CWAC, said: “The council has a really important part to play in supporting the sponsors and their guests.

“One of our first roles is to make sure that all accommodation is suitable for the guests before they arrive, that sponsors know what their responsibilities are and are supported and that guests are safe and well when they arrive.

“We’ll help refugees with school places, job seeking and benefits support and help people access other services, like mental health services, adult social care or children’s services.

“We’re already working with our health partners at NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) among others, including the community and voluntary sector, to make life as easy as possible when we welcome these people who have already been through so much.”

Both councils will be administering ‘thank you’ payments to sponsors of £350 per month while they are a sponsor.

Sponsors in Cheshire East have volunteered 79 properties to accommodate one or more refugees, with 200 Ukrainians registered to come to the borough under the scheme.

It is anticipated that these numbers will continue to change as the scheme progresses. 

Cheshire East Council is working with partners to provide support to sponsor households, refugees and other organisations, who may be able to provide help under the scheme.

The council’s responsibilities under the scheme include providing ‘welcome’ information and ongoing information about the scheme to both refugee and sponsor; safeguarding checks on accommodation and individuals; arranging payments related to the scheme; managing school and early-years placements for children of Ukrainian families; and providing information about work and benefits.

Cheshire East Council will also work with Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to make referrals to health services and support integration into the community.

The council will make initial contact with sponsors and give them a single point of contact for advice and support and outline what happens next.  

Councillor Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “The people of Cheshire East have, in the last few years, found it in their hearts to welcome people from overseas who are seeking to escape adversity. 

“The council has played a key role through the asylum seeker dispersal programme, the Syrian vulnerable person resettlement programme and, most recently, the Afghan relocations and assistance policy.

“I know that the council and the people of Cheshire East will now provide a similar welcome and support to our Ukrainian friends escaping the violence in their homeland.”