As you are aware there are a number of Ukraine people already in Midlothian or arriving soon, and will be guests in our country for up to three years. We are very keen to give both Ukrainian guests and their hosts as much support as possible to ensure that the placements, whether with family members or with sponsors, are successful.

I know the third sector will be keen to help so the Midlothian TSI and the British Red Cross are calling a meeting of local organisations to discuss what they can offer. This could be through reallocating staff or volunteer time to support Ukrainian guests. We are particularly keen to source staff or volunteers who may have relevant language skills.

Most of the guests will be women and there will be all age groups, so support will be needed for young people, families, and older people. There will be a range of different backgrounds.

Potential support offered by the third sector might include:

Immediate support

• Staff or volunteer time to support the Council to undertake vetting of potential host households (this will largely be an administrative task);

• Support for guests to attend meetings e.g. with Job Centre, banks etc

• Support to get online

• Support to get households set up

On-going support

• Buddying to help guests integrate locally

• Family support

• Support to develop peer groups and networking

• Help if things don’t work out with host family e.g. mediation, help to relocate

• Trauma support

And I am sure there are lots of other things that will be needed.

Zoom link will be made available on the online event page on the day of the event

Ukraine and the Third Sector