H4U is a national scheme to provide a home for Ukrainians who want to come to the UK to escape war at home. Residents in Bath and North East Somerset have so far hosted over 350 guests under the scheme.
The Homes for Ukraine Team at Bath & North East Somerset council are here to support you and your guests, to provide advice and guidance. You can contact us by email at H4U@bathnes.gov.uk
If you would like more information the support we can provide for guests, or would like to direct your guests to information for them, please also see our Guidance for Ukrainian guests page.
National guidance
If you are thinking of applying to the scheme, or are already hosting a Ukrainian guest, visit the UK Government website (GOV.UK) for a detailed guide for sponsors.
The GOV.UK guidance gives you detailed information about:
- How to become a sponsor (or host)
- How the scheme works
- Eligibility and safeguarding
- Guidance for when your guest arrives
Local guidance
The information on this page is about local services, contacts and support for sponsors in Bath and North East Somerset, and nearby areas. Please read it together with the GOV.UK national guide
For a detailed explanation on accommodation and post arrival welfare checks please see government guidance issued to sponsors.
Arrival date
Email us at H4U@bathnes.gov.uk when you have an arrival date for your guest.
Accommodation suitability checks
We will check the safety of your accommodation. Use the government guidance issued to sponsors to check if you need to make any changes.
Your guest may get their visa and arrive before we have completed our safety checks.
Post-arrival welfare support
We will visit soon after your guest arrives so we can meet them and check on their health and wellbeing.
We will provide a £200 grant (in the form of a prepayment card) when your guest arrives. They will need to bring photo ID to pick this up at an appointment, where the team 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 guest:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Address of the accommodation
Sponsor thank you payment
As a sponsor, we will offer you a thank you payment for hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family through the H4U scheme. Payment starts when welfare and accommodation checks are complete. You will receive £500 a month as a host. We make payments on the first Wednesday of each month (covering the previous calendar month), and you should receive yours around two days later.
In the months of November, December, January and February, you will be eligible for a cold weather payment to help cover additional fuel costs for household heating and water. Please email H4U@bathnes.gov.uk to request this additional payment, letting us know why and how you anticipate your costs will increase.
Managing and promoting healthy boundaries
Successful sponsorship is all about helping those you welcome feel confident, empowered, and able to navigate life in a new country. Doing too much for guests can heighten expectations and create a power imbalance. RESET has a useful website with things to consider when hosting including tips on maintaining healthy boundaries.
Local organisations and community support
Bath Welcomes Refugees is a small but inclusive charity which runs a monthly social event for guests and sponsors at St John's Church in Bath. They also have a Facebook group for sponsors. For information or to speak to one of the team, email them at info@bathwelcomesrefugees.org.uk
If you want to end your host relationship
Where possible, please give your guests at least 2 months’ notice, and email us as soon as you can. We can support you and your guests with onward housing options, including re-matching to a new host, searching for private rented accommodation and other options.