Ukraine - how you can help
Swansea is known for being a City of Sanctuary. We have a history of welcoming people of different nationalities, ethnicities and religions as well as those fleeing war and persecution in other countries.
The current advice from the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is that the best way to support the people of Ukraine is through cash donations with more details available by following this link: https://www.dec.org.uk/
UK Government support
The UK Government has two schemes to help those fleeing the war in Ukraine to come to the UK:
- Ukraine Family Scheme visa
Learn more about the Ukraine family scheme visa
- Homes for Ukraine scheme
Through this scheme, you can help someone fleeing Ukraine by sponsoring and hosting them in your home or offering self-contained accommodation.
If you have registered on the UK Government's Homes for Ukraine Scheme, the UK Government is dealing with your offer. Swansea Council will receive information on all the sponsors once the UK Government has processed these offers. Swansea Council will be in touch with you once we have received this.
Learn more about the Homes for Ukraine scheme
Homes for Ukraine Scheme: privacy notice
Welsh Government support
Helpline for sponsors and people in Ukraine
- Sponsors in Wales can call the free helpline on 0808 175 1508 for advice
- For Ukrainian nationals and their families United Kingdom visa and settlement support is available on GOV UK: UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals (GOV.UK)
- For help to apply to come to the United Kingdom, call this number free on +44 808 164 8810
- Call 0808 164 8810 if you are in the UK. If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers call +44 (0)175 390 7510
Offering jobs
Find out how your business can offer a job or placement to those coming from Ukraine (via Business Wales): ReStart (Business Wales)
Statements by Minister for Social Justice
3 May 2022 - Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Update on Ukraine (Welsh Parliament - senedd.wales)
29 March 2022 - Welsh Nation of Sanctuary in Action (Welsh Government)
Latest visa figures for Wales
The UK Government has today published figures about the number of people from Ukraine who have applied for and received visas under its Ukraine Family Scheme and Homes for Ukraine Scheme: Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) visa data (GOV.UK)
As of 5 May, 2,800 visas have been issued to people from Ukraine to come to Wales via the Homes for Ukraine scheme, of which the Welsh Government is a super-sponsor for 980. A breakdown for local authorities is also available.
Swansea Council support
Ukrainian Support Helpline: 01792 636565
- Tuesday and Wednesday 10.00am - 1.00pm
- Thursday 2.00pm - 4.30pm
You can leave a message and your contact details outside these times.
Benefit information
Benefit implications for Ukrainian nationals who have fled the war in Ukraine and the families in Swansea they are living with: Ukraine crisis - benefit information (Word doc) [21KB]
Further help
Help for all refugees and asylum seekers to understand their rights including guidance in Ukrainian and sections specific to Ukraine can be found at sanctuary.gov.wales/