Together with one of our members, International Care Network (ICN), we’ve been successful in attracting nearly £10,000 to support voluntary and community groups across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to work with Ukrainian refugees. 

The UK public have again responded brilliantly to the current refugee crisis. Across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole we have welcomed about 350 Ukrainian refugees. There are all already a number of voluntary and community organisations supporting them and those with host families. The British Red Cross has established a £1 million fund to support local organisations directly supporting refugees from Ukraine and some of that funding via a small grants scheme from NAVCA our national umbrella organisation, is being used locally.

This project will:

• Contact with those groups already supporting Ukrainian refugees and those interested in doing so
• Set up a network of groups with regular communications
• Share information about who is doing what
• Give groups advice and support on working with refugees, in particular those from Ukraine
• Advise groups on generally running their organisation and fundraising for their work with refugees
• Put on four courses about working with Ukrainian refugees
• Represent the views, needs and intelligence of local groups with others, especially the statutory sector

Over the next 12 months we expect to:

• build the capacity and capability in local groups,
• see more support for Ukrainian refugees and of higher quality
• raise the profile of the community response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis
• increase understanding of the needs, and solutions, of refugees, in particular from Ukraine

If you’re a voluntary or community group in BCP that is already supporting Ukrainian refugees, or want to know how to start then contact Rebecca Fell at ICN on [email protected] or 01202 589395. If you want to know more about CAN and our work, contact Steve Place on [email protected] or 01202 466130.