New community caseworker to support Ukrainian refugees in Basingstoke and Deane

Further support will be available to individuals and families arriving from Ukraine and sponsors as part of a new service.

A new community caseworker who will make contact with sponsors and families arriving in the borough will signpost them to the support and community services available.

They will also work closely with community groups and organisations across Basingstoke and Deane to connect them with families living in their areas.

In addition, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will continue to work with Basingstoke Voluntary Action, sponsors and Ukrainian families to provide targeted and specialist support for topics such as homelessness prevention, support to access benefits, housing needs assessments and rehousing options and placements.

The targeted support follows the work both organisations have been doing to help Hampshire County Council to deliver help to sponsors and families, including the development of a Basingstoke and Deane welcome pack.

To view the Welcome to Basingstoke and Deane guide, visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/welcome-guide and for more information on support available locally, visit www.bvaction.org.uk/ukraine.

Borough council leader Simon Bound (Con, Sherborne St John and Rooksdown) said: “As a borough we have a proud history of helping the government deliver support for refugees looking to start a new life away from conflict and violence.

“I am proud that so many people across the borough have come forward and are providing a safe and welcoming home to individuals and families.

“We have a well-established network of key partners that we are working closely with and hope this additional tailored support will help sponsors and families to access the help and services they need and develop a strong link to the areas where they are living.”

Basingstoke Voluntary Action chief executive Tony Capon said: “The community of Basingstoke and Deane has responded incredibly in welcoming refugees.

“The creation of the Ukraine Supporters Network across the borough has seen a heart-warming level of engagement by residents and partners in coming together to avoid duplication of effort and to appropriately target support where it is needed most.

“The expansion of the network through this community caseworker role will enable us to efficiently identify and champion welfare and community integration needs collaboratively with the council and wider partners.”