Ukraine - How can I help?
First published on: 14th March 2022
Last updated 25 April, 2022
On this page we explore some of the main ways you and your church can respond to the situation in Ukraine which include:
Donate money
We know that churches across the Diocese have already been responding generously and compassionately to the situation in Ukraine. From prayer vigils and donation drops to reaching out to Ukrainians in their local communities to show solidarity. Read more about the response by churches Each and every person's situation and capacity will be different, so here is a range of suggestions that individuals and churches may like to consider.
Bishop Simon Burton-Jones Donate moneyUnless you have specific contacts in a place, it is usually better to donate money rather than items, as the money can be used for whatever is most needed and avoids sending unnecessary items into an already chaotic situation. The Archbishop of Canterbury is encouraging donations of money to the USPG Ukraine Emergency Appeal in which the Diocese of Europe is a partner. You may also wish to consider supporting the local charity, ChildAid (to Eastern Europe) of which Bishop Simon is a patron. ChildAid to Eastern Europe is an established Christian charity based in Bromley with a history of working with vulnerable children across Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine. In these challenging times, ChildAid and their partners in eastern Europe have already begun supporting refugees both in Ukraine and in Moldova, providing emergency support on the ground. Visit the ChildAid to Eastern Europe for ways to donate money and offer prayer. Their Facebook page is also offering regular updates and prayer points - Like / Follow the ChildAid Facebook page.
(Stephen Barbor, Commissioned Evangelist, St Stephen's Tonbridge and ChildAid staff team member)
Other appeals available:
Support refugeesThe Church of England has published a ‘toolkit’ of resources for parishes seeking to help refugees and evacuees from Ukraine in the wake of the Russian invasion of the country.
Download the Church of England toolkit
Offering a homeThe Government has announced its 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme to allow Ukrainian refugees to come to the UK. If you are a member of clergy occupying board or parsonage housing, please see our Clergy offering homes to refugees section below, There are a number of organisations trying to help individuals, churches and communities work together to provide wraparound support for any refugees who may come to the UK, as well as provide homes.They include:
Clergy offering homes to refugees - Diocesan processThe Diocese has developed a process and guidance for clergy who wish to offer lodging for refugees in their own home as part of the Government's Homes for Ukraine scheme. Please note that this guidance is only applicable to clergy occupying board or parsonage housing. While we recognise the generosity of heart from clergy households who would like to help in such a direct way, it is important that clergy households work the guidance through with their Archdeacon to help consider all the risks that this additional ministry might bring. In our guidance, we explain some of the things you should consider before offering lodging to refugees. We also explain the process you will need to go through with the Diocese to confirm your intention to offer a space in your home. The process has been designed to help us assess whether approval can be granted, as well as enable pastoral conversations to be had with clergy directly about whether this is the right step for them. Please access if via the following links:
If you need further help We have set up a dedicated email associated with this matter, and so if you have any questions about the process, please email: ukraine2022@rochester.anglican.org. If you would like to share details of what you, your church, or community are doing more generally in relation to Ukraine, please email our Lead Community Engagement Adviser, Magali van der Merwe directly on: magali.vandermerwe@rochester.anglican.org.
Guidance and advice on how to support Ukrainian refugees in your communityA number of councils across the areas of the Diocese have set up dedicated support pages or contact lines to help those supporting Ukrainian refugees in their community.
Bexley
Bexley Bexley support page: - Advice and guidance | London Borough of Bexley This guidance can be read in Ukrainian ( language needs to be selected). Bexley support email address: HomesForUkrainians@bexley.gov.uk Bromley
Bromley Bromley support page: - Supporting Ukraine | London Borough of Bromley Bromley’s Ukraine support line 020 8313 4698 . Ukraine Support email address Ukrainesupport@bromley.gov.uk Kent
Kent County Council Kent County Council Support page: Support for Ukrainian nationals - Kent County Council Welcome book - Welcome to Kent Handbook (Homes for Ukraine scheme) Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board have produced a guidance leaflet: Dartford
Dartford: Ukraine Support email address: supportukraine@dartford.gov.uk Welcome to Dartford book : https://www.dartford.gov.uk/downloads/file/1584/welcome-to-dartford Help for anyone fleeing the Ukrainian conflict | Barnardo's (barnardos.org.uk) Medway
Medway Medway Support page Medway's services and support | Medway's services and support | Medway Council Translator - if hosting Ukrainians and need urgent help with translating information, please call on 01634 333 333 and ask to be transferred to an interpreter. Kent & Medway Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board have produced a guidance leaflet:
There is also national guidance available to help those supporting refugees:
Government guidance
GOV.UK
HealthProm have produced a cultural sensitivity sheet Red Cross
The Red Cross has advice on coping with the Ukraine crisis, including support for those suffering with trauma: How to support people in Ukraine FAQ | British Red Cross
Mental health
A range of resources for volunteers and professionals to help them support the mental health and well-being of displaced Ukrainians:
Thrive LDN: Guidance for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of displaced Ukrainians
Stand in solidarity with ALL refugeesThere are many refugees in the UK and around the world from other conflicts, and it is important that we do not forget them in the new horrors in Ukraine. The Church of England's Ukraine toolkit contains signposts to a number of organisations that can provide information about to offer welcome to all refugees and how Community Sponsorship works generally. (Prayers shared in Holy Trinity, Coxheath)
PrayPray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, Russia, and Eastern Europe, who are living through a war that they don’t want, fleeing violence, and working to support victims. Every Wednesday in Lent, the Diocese in Europe is holding a Vigil with Prayers for Peace in Ukraine. This simple 30-minute service will include prayers, music, readings and a reflection or some information from a part of the Diocese directly affected by the crisis. The service will be on Zoom every Wednesday at 18:00CET/17:00GMT from 16 March at least until the end of Lent. Click for Zoom link and further details
Get informedYou may find some of the following information helpful in providing some context and general information about how we can support Ukraine at this time:
If you have any questions relating to Ukraine and how you or your church may like to offer support, please contact your Archdeacon, or the Diocese's Lead Community Engagement Adviser, Magali Van Der Merwe on magali.vandermerwe@rochester.anglican.org Share what you are up to. Contact Communications on communications@rochester.anglican.org |