Homes for Ukraine (H4U) is a national scheme to provide a home for Ukrainians who want to come to the UK to escape war at home. Over 350 Ukrainian guests have found hosts in Bath and North East Somerset through the scheme.
The Homes for Ukraine team at Bath and North East Somerset Council are here to support you and your hosts, to provide guidance and advice. You can contact us by email at H4U@bathnes.gov.uk
National guidance
If you are thinking of applying to the scheme, are moving to the UK, or are already a guest here, visit the UK Government website (GOV.UK) for a detailed guide for guests.
This guide is available in English, Українська and Русский язык.
The GOV.UK guidance gives you detailed information about:
- How to apply
- How the scheme works
- Arriving and living in the UK
- Getting help with money, work, education and health
This guidance is for Ukrainian guests. If you are a Homes for Ukraine sponsor, please see our Guidance for sponsors webpage. Your Ukrainian guests may appreciate your help in understanding or acting on the information in the local guide below.
Local guidance
The information on this page is about local services, contacts and support for Ukrainian guests in Bath and North East Somerset, and nearby areas. Select any topic below to find out more.
Please read this local guidance together with the GOV.UK national guide. Ask your sponsor for help, if you're not sure what something means.
The GOV.UK guide for Ukrainian guests includes detailed guidance on how to get urgent help or report a crime. The information below offers local contacts for support and information.
Your safety and rights
Visit the Ukrainians Welcome website for detailed information, available in English, Українська and Русский язык, on your rights and how to stay safe in the UK.
When you arrive: initial welfare check and support payment
We will visit you and your host in your accommodation soon after you arrive, so we can check on your health and wellbeing.
We will provide a £200 grant (in the form of a prepayment card) for every guest when you arrive. This is to help you to buy everyday essential items. You will need to bring photo ID to pick this up at an appointment, where we will give more details about the scheme. To book your appointment, please email Welfare_Support@bathnes.gov.uk. You will need to provide the following information for each person:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Address of your accommodation
Follow-on welfare checks
When you have been in B&NES for 6 to 12 months, we will offer you the chance to meet up with us to discuss your welfare and how you are settling here. This could include:
- health
- benefits
- housing
- employment
- your family's wellbeing
If possible, we would like to meet you at one of our Information and Advice Services (in Bath, Keynsham or Midsomer Norton), but we can have these welfare meetings by phone or online video call. Please email us at H4U@bathnes.gov.uk to organise your own follow-on welfare check.
Other health and wellbeing support
Visit our Public Health website for information and advice to help you to find local help with problems and questions related to your health, safety and wellbeing. This includes services in B&NES for:
- mental health support
- domestic violence and abuse
- problems related to drugs and alcohol
- sexual and reproductive health
Mind is a national independent mental health charity; Bath has a branch called Bath Mind working in the community in Bath & North East Somerset. They can support you with your emotional health and wellbeing and provide information on local group or 1:1 services for both adults and children. Please email us at H4U@bathnes.gov.uk if you would like a referral to Bath Mind.
The information in this section is for guests who are already living in the UK. If you are not yet on the Homes for Ukraine scheme, visit the UK Government website (GOV.UK) for information on how to apply.
Matching with a new host/sponsor
We recommend that you stay with your sponsor as long as you can. If this is not possible, our Homes for Ukraine (H4U) team will try to help you to match with another sponsor. It will be your responsibility to find a new sponsor through local connections, or the following websites and organisations:
Finding privately rented accommodation
It is difficult and expensive to find a privately rented accommodation in Bath and North East Somerset, and there are long waits for social housing. If you find somewhere, you will probably have to move to a different area. This may mean changing your children's school, and the doctor you register with. The H4U team can help with:
- financial support to help you get privately rented accommodation (such as a rent deposit)
- support for the first 12 months of your tenancy
- healthcare transfers
- educational transfers
We have created an information pack to help you understand how to find private rented accommodation in our area. It includes advice about your rights as a tenant, and an example letter to your new landlord, explaining how the H4U team can support you in your new accommodation. It is available in:
Housing advice
Bath Housing, Welfare and Advice Services offer a wide range of support and welfare services.
- For general housing advice (including private rented) please call 01225 396296 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm) or email HousingOptions_AdviceTeam@bathnes.gov.uk. For more information see our Find a home to rent from a private landlord webpage.
- For Homesearch (advice about finding Social Housing), please call 01225 396118 (Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm, Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm) or email Homesearch@tathnes.gov.uk
We also hold weekly advice drop-in sessions in Bath and Keynsham. Our Private Rented Officer can advise you how to find a private rented home.
| Location | Day and time |
|---|---|
|
(call 01225 396296 to book an appointment) |
Tuesday 9.30am to 12pm |
| Keynsham Library (no need to book) |
Thursday 9.30am to 12pm and 1.30 to 4pm |
Extra support for private tenants
Developing Health and Independence / Reach (DHI) provide practical and emotional support for tenants. Our free and confidential service can help you to:
- find suitable housing
- maintain your current housing
- understand your housing rights and responsibilities
- deal with rent or mortgage arrears
- manage your money and maximise your income
- set up a new home
- find suitable employment, training and educational courses or services
- find specialist help from other agencies
To find out more about our services, call us on 01225 422156 or email us at info@dhireach.org.uk.
The following local organisations offer ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) courses which are free, or with a large discount, for Ukrainian guests.
Bath College
Bath College runs ESOL courses for adults throughout the year. Classes have a maximum of 12 students, and are free of charge if you are unemployed, get a benefit such as Universal Credit, or earn less than £18,525 per year. Visit the Bath College website, or email the team at esol@bathcollege.ac.uk to find out about the courses or to book in your initial assessment.
Bath Welcomes Refugees
Bath Welcomes Refugees offer free ESOL courses across the B&NES area.
| Course and level | Location | Day and time |
|---|---|---|
| English (adults, all levels) | Manvers St Baptist Church, Bath (childcare for very young children) | Tuesday 12.15 to 2pm |
| English (beginner/pre-intermediate level) | Keynsham Library | Monday 10 to 11.30am |
| Advanced English | Online class (via Zoom) | Thursday 11 to 12.30 |
| English, Maths and Science (7 to 16 yr olds) | Bath Study Club | Tuesday 4 to 5.30pm |
Saltford Community Association
Saltford Community Association offer free adult ESOL classes at Saltford Village Hall on Wednesday and Saturday. Contact them by email at office@saltfordhall.co.uk for more details.
Keynsham Ukrainian Support Network
Keynsham Ukrainian Support Network run free ESOL lessons for children aged 8+ and adults. Classes are on Tuesdays at 6.15 to 7.15pm at the Community space, 67 Queen's Road, Keynsham. Email Dave Biddlestone at dave.biddlestone@hotmail.co.uk to register.
Primary and secondary schools
See the GOV.UK guidance on schools and education, for the full details of how to get a school place for your child. Read our Homes for Ukraine guide for parents to explain the school admissions process in our area.
Further education
Visit the Bath College website for information about local technical and vocational courses for students aged 16+.
Higher education
Higher education is normally for students aged 18+, who want to study for a degree or similar advanced qualification. Students in the UK often live away from home while they are studying. If you would prefer to go to a college or university which is near to your sponsor or host, find out more about these local universities:
Training and skills
The B&NES Employment and Skills team work with local partners to offer a free employment service to all residents of Bath and North East Somerset. You will get a 1:1 job coaching session, and can use this service to: To book your job coaching session, please call 0300-247-0050 (Monday to Friday) or email: EmploymentSkills_Pod@bathnes.gov.uk.
- get back to work after a break
- change careers
- get further training and skills in your current job
Visit the STEP Ukraine website to apply for their intensive, online 12-week English language and employment programme. This is designed to help Ukrainians in the UK find meaningful work, and is delivered by World Jewish Relief and the British Council.
Job interview support
If you are a woman who is looking for work, but have no suitable formal clothes to wear to a job interview, the 1st impressions charity can help. They also offer mentoring and coaching to help build your confidence to find the best job for you.
National organisations
The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) is the largest network of Ukrainians who are living in the UK. They can help you to find Ukrainian associations and activities, and connect with other Ukrainians in our area.
The Ukrainian Cultural Association in the UK, based in London, is a centre of information on Ukrainian arts, literature, history and music, with regular concert performances and other activities. You can also follow them on Instagram or email them at ukr.cultural.association.uk@gmail.com
Local organisations and activities
Visit the Bath Welcomes Refugees website to find out about:
- free ESOL English language classes
- study clubs
- one-to-one housing support.
- monthly social events for you and your sponsor at St John’s Church in Bath
- their Facebook group for local Ukrainian guests
For more information, or to speak to one of the team, contact them at info@bathwelcomesrefugees.org.uk
Ukrainian radio show
Visit local radio station, Somer Valley FM, for their Ukraine show every Wednesday at 2pm. Join Vira (a Ukrainian refugee, who travelled to the UK with her daughter in June 2022). Her show includes features on events involving B&NES' 400 Ukrainians, Ukraine songs, news stories, interviews and history details. You can find Somer Valley FM at 97.5FM, via your smart speaker (such as Alexa), or online.
Join the Library to get free access to around 2.5 million items, including books, audiobooks and e-books, printed music, maps, and foreign language materials. Find your nearest Library and Information Centre or Community Run Library, or view them on a map.
General services
You may find these Library services particularly useful:
- Free computer and wifi use while you're in the library
- Printing and photocopying facilities for a small charge
- Reading Friends iPads (available to borrow from Bath Central Library, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton Library and Information Centres). If you have access to wifi but don’t have your own device, you may like to borrow one to access apps including BBC News and Weather, YouTube, and our digital offers with Libraries West.
- The Help Yourself shelves at Bath Central Library, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton Library and Information Centres offer donated books for refugee families to take away and keep.
- Our monthly events calendar includes employment and skills drop-ins and story times for young children.
- Online study apps to help you to prepare for the UK driving test (Test Theory Pro) and UK Citizenship test (Go Citizen)
- The Mobile Library (which brings library access to smaller communities around the B&NES area)
For more information, read our guide to Library and Information Services for Ukrainians and their Sponsors and reading materials for children affected by war and asylum. You can download our welcome leaflet, which explains all of our services, in English and Ukrainian.
Extra reading support for children
Email the National Literacy Trust to receive one of their Welcome Reading Packs. The Trust’s Time Together booklet is a colourful and easy-to-read guide that is full of suggestions for how parents can support their young child’s learning at home. You can access the Ukrainian version below and visit the website for more information about English and Russian versions.
Download the Badger Learning range of English-Ukrainian eBook PDFs for schools and families. These are suitable for children in KS2 and KS3 (ages 8–14) and are ideal learning resources to support children in building fluency in reading in English.
Many local organisations have free or discounted offers to help you to enjoy your free time and get involved in local activities.
Gym membership
The organisation Better run many local leisure centres, sports facilities, pools and gyms across England and Wales, in partnership with local councils and other community organisations. Visit their website to find your nearest Better leisure centres in BANES. If you have got your refugee resettlement status in the last 12 months, you can get a free Better Health Centre (Off-Peak) 6-month membership. This allows free swimming and gym sessions during less busy periods, and may give you access to other sports activities too.
You can apply for the scheme:
- directly, by using the online service below
- by asking your sponsor to help
- via a charity such as RESET, the Red Cross or the Refugee Council
- with the help of a member of leisure centre staff, who can complete your application with you
Apply for the Supported Membership Scheme
Bath City Football for refugees
Bath City Football Club Foundation (in partnership with Bath Welcomes Refugees) are holding weekly sessions from 6 to 7pm on Tuesdays at The Bath Recreation Ground.
All Ukrainian guests, from age 5 to adult, can attend the free sessions. You will need to complete an information form for any children who attend, on or before the first session. You can download the form, email language@bathwelcomesrefugees.org.uk to state your interest, or ask for help to complete your form.
Football for children and young people
If you have children (aged 5 to 15) who want to train and play with a local team, Timsbury Athletic Youth Football Club offer a free season membership (worth up to £96). Email the club's Youth Secretary, Kevin Wright at timsburyafc@btinternet.com for more information.
Gymnastics
Baskervilles Gymnastics School offer free classes to Ukrainian children and adults, at one of their four local centres. Email info@baskervillesgym.co.uk to find the best class for you.
History and heritage
The National Trust (NT) manages historic buildings, gardens and land all over the UK. If your sponsor is an NT member, one adult and all children in your family can get 6 months' free membership. To apply, ring the National Trust on 0344 800 1895.
B&NES Council manages some of the most famous museums in Bath. Show a copy of your Welcome letter and any photo ID (such as your passport) to get free entry to the Roman Baths, the world famous Fashion Museum, and exhibitions in the Victoria Art Gallery.
Outdoor clothing and equipment
Mountain Warehouse, who sell clothing and equipment for camping, hiking and other outdoor activities, are offering Ukrainian guests a 40% discount off many items in their stores. Apply in store.