READING continues to help Ukrainians following Putin’s illegal invasion of our European neighbour.
The steps the council has undertaken have been spelt out at a meeting of Reading Borough Council last week.
The invasion started in February and, since then, 131 Ukrainians in 62 family groups have arrived in Reading through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
The Reading Ukrainian Community Centre has played a large part in assisting those coming here, supported by the council.
Information about the issues they have faced and how they are being assisted has been revealed at a full Reading Borough Council meeting on Tuesday, July 5.
The leader of the opposition, Cllr Rob White (Green, Park ward) asked for an update on support offered and challenges faced.
Cllr Jason Brock (Labour, Southcote), the leader of the council, said the refugees receive £200 per individual, with hosts receiving £350.
A key part of the council’s assistance has been helping to set up the Reading Ukrainian Advice Centre (RUAC). Run from Reading Central Library, it is open by appointment from 10am to 3pm on weekdays.
RUAC provides help accessing a variety of council and Government services. So far, 122 people have used RUAC.
Although the majority of beneficiaries – 65 – come from Reading, RUAC also serves those from West Berkshire (15 clients), Wokingham (nine clients) South Oxfordshire, Bracknell and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (three clients each).
Additionally, the council has distributed 127 bus passes to 85 adults and 42 children, for use on Reading Buses and Thames Valley Buses.
It is also working on providing a comprehensive guide of all services available to the Ukrainians, which will be emailed, provided by RUAC and available on the council website, readable in English, Ukrainian and Russian.
One of the main challenges has been the need to rehouse refugees due to differences between them and their sponsor.
Cllr Brock explained: “In case of breakdown of relationship between the guest and sponsor, or if the accommodation and safeguarding checks find a match that is not suitable, the council has the responsibility to rematch the guests with another sponsor.
“Three rematches under the scheme have already been made.
“We ensure the rematching concerns are resolved as quickly as possible to avoid families and individuals needing to present as homeless.”
Two refugees have come to Reading after being rematched from another area, bringing the total number of Ukrainian refugees in Reading to 133.
Cllr Brock admitted challenges lay ahead in resettling Ukrainians more long term once the six-month Homes for Ukraine scheme comes to an end.
He said: “We are waiting for a policy update from the Government on this, but, in the meantime, we are looking at how we can increase the level of support to help guests to help them find their own accommodation when the initial sponsorship period finishes.”
