Ukraine Support

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West Lothian welcomes Ukrainian nationals and their family members

West Lothian Council and community groups are extending the hand of friendship to people arriving from Ukraine. On this dedicated page you`ll find news and links about the help and support that is available from statutory and community groups, including our Directory of Support. If you are a local organisation and providing support, please email details and we will add this to the Directory – email vsg@vsgwl.org

View recording of 06/07/22 meeting

Ukraine Directory of Support

View PDF Version

1st Step Development Ventures

Food support at the 1st Step Cafe in Linlithgow and Bridgend Eco-Hub ( emergency delivery of parcels and collection of food from our cafe and Bridgend pantry).
Volunteering opportunities at the 1st Step cafe, garden and bike project, Bike repairs and servicing, Gifting of donated bikes
We have already serviced and repaired a large number of donated bikes for the local Ukraine appeal.

Contact – Maria Throp firststepdevelopment@gmail.com

Locality – Focus is around Linlithgow but for bike support we can arrange outreach
workshops with partners across West Lothian.


Access2Employment West Lothian Council

Access2employment is West Lothian Council’s free and confidential employability service.
Our employment advisers assist local residents into Employment, Training or Education through one-to-one sessions and group work. Support is provided to those
currently not working or who are in employment and wishing to change career pathways. Advisers will work with clients until they have met their individual goals.
Clients can arrange appointments with advisers in locations across West Lothian, face to face, online and by telephone.
In Access2employment we have various teams including:
Wellbeing Team – a pre-employability service offering a wealth of knowledge and experience in coaching, mental/physical health support and personal development.
This support empowers individuals to address barriers & implement changes in their own personal journey towards employment and personal development.
Parental Employment Support Team – a team of dedicated employment advisers who will work alongside employed, unemployed and parents who are not working
to work towards improving their family’s wellbeing and financial position.
Young Persons Support (16 – 24) – Our young persons team assist local young people 16 – 24 yrs. into Employment, Training or Education through one-to-one
sessions and group work. Our experienced team offer tailored support and guidance face to face, online and over the phone to suit various employment needs.

Contact – Email access2employment@westlothian.gov.uk / Telephone 0800 032 9768

Locality – West Lothian Wide


Advice Shop

Advice on benefit entitlements and signposting to organisations who can help further. Referrals to other West Lothian Council Services who may specialize in a
certain area, such as employment and ESOL, education etc.

Contact – Telephone 0800 032 9768

Locality – West Lothian Wide


Barnardo’s Welcome (Ukraine) Service

The Barnardo’s Scotland Welcome (Ukraine) Service is a national service who support Scottish Hosts along with children, young people, families who have been displaced from Ukraine.

More Information


Carers of West Lothian

Support, information and advice to unpaid carers, young carers and disabled people. Includes access to short breaks, counselling, peer support and training courses.

Contact – Telephone 01506 448000 / Email office@carers-westlothian.com / www.carers-westlothian.com

Locality – West Lothian Wide


Citizens Advice Bureau West Lothian

CAB advice services (Help to claim) telephone advice only (interpreters can be arranged)

Contact – brian.jeffrey@cabwestlothian.casoline.org.uk / 01506 43632

Locality – West Lothian Wide


Community Woods and Garden

Polbeth and West Calder are providing free spaces for refugees ages 11-15 on their summer programme which runs on a Monday 10am to 1pm, inc lunch.

Email – amy@westcalder.org for more details. Further details available on their FB page.


Cyrenians – Older People, Active Lives

Our Older People Active Lives (OPAL) service supports older people to increase their independence and well-being across the West Lothian area.
For those people who are unable to, or prefer not to, attend a group in person or have a volunteer visit, we offer remote support through regular online groups,
telephone befriending and monthly activity packs sent by post.
We support those aged 60+, connecting them to our team of dedicated volunteers who offer encouragement, companionship and assistance. We offer the following
options to those looking to re-engage with social, leisure and community activities:
One-to-one support – our one-to-one service accepts self-referrals and referrals from healthcare professionals. We match each referral to a volunteer who then
supports the individual to re-connect with their community. This can include home visits, telephone conversations, outings to local cafés and walks, or supporting an
individual in engaging with a local community group.
OPAL Groups – We have 16 groups throughout West Lothian offering people the opportunity to meet others in their community and try out new things! We are also
able to offer a driver service to support those with limited mobility to participate.

Contact – opal@cyrenians.scot

Locality – West Lothian Wide


JY High Street

New and pre loved school uniform, bags, jackets, shoes and much more.  No donation required.  This eco-friendly initiative, organised through The James Young High School, aims to recycle and re-use, rather than buy brand new.  This currently runs every Thursday in Dedridge Baptist Church, Quentin Rise, EH54 6QR from 3.30pm-4.30pm.  The Families and Young Peoples Advice Service (FYPAS) adviser within JYHS will also often be present during this time and can offer advice regarding Benefit, Money, Energy, Debt and Housing issues.

Contact – clare.mcgregor@westlothian.org.uk

Locality – Based in Livingston but all welcome


Livingston United Parish Church Hospitality Project

The project includes a community cafe which runs on a Monday and Friday. The cafe is focused on providing affordable and accessible food with social interaction
and the development of friendships key aims. The facilities can also be available for refugee families/groups to use for meetings/events (with or without the provision
of refreshments). There would be the option of having people available as potential befrienders. The project seeks to provide a welcoming space and our team will
be delighted to help in any way. A listening service is also available through the project and LUPC staff are also available for pastoral or practical support on an
individual basis.

Contact – Kenneth.brown@churchofscotland.org.uk

Locality – The project is based in Livingston but people can access it from all over West Lothian.


Macmillan @ West Lothian (Cancer information and support service)

Cancer Information and support (non clinical) for anyone affected by cancer, their families and carers. We offer a listening ear and a cuppa. The team can help
signpost and refer to various organisations including Macmillan Benefit Team. We have lots of Cancer information booklets onsite to take away.

Contact – 01506 283053 / macmillanwestlothian@westlothian.gov.uk

Locality – We have Macmillan Hubs within Livingston, Bathgate, Strathbrock, Fauldhouse and Blackburn Partnership Centres. West Lothian wide.


River Kids

Provision of pre loved clothes and toys from birth to adult. We also provide gift bags (ages 0-18) of new toys at celebratory times of the year i.e. birthdays and xmas.
We also provide household items everything from kettles to curtains to household furniture. The only items we do not provide are white goods.

Contact – 01506 412 762 / admin@riverkids.org.uk

Locality – West Lothian Wide


ScotHosts

We provide a support network for Scottish based hosts for Ukrainian families on entire journey of hosting our Ukrainian families, and this will be achieved by support and campaigning to represent families interest to ensure Scottish and Ukrainian families have a positive and effective time during their time together in Scotland.

https://scothosts.org

Contact


Signpost

Signpost supports families of children & young people with additional support needs and disabilities in West Lothian, with both practical information and emotional
support, so that they can make the most of life.
We offer support to:
families of those age 0-18, with any kind of additional support needs
families of young people with a diagnosis, and those without a diagnosis
the wider circle of family, friends and professionals who are involved with the child or young person

Contact – enquiries@signpost-online.co.uk / 01506 431123

Locality – West Lothian Wide


Social Security Scotland

Access to Scottish devolved Social Security benefits for individuals and families on low income , those who may have a disability or are Carers. We also assist with
one off grants for eligible clients for funerals or starting work. We have a Local Service which can assist with form completion and provide advice about entitlement.
You can apply in the way that best suits your circumstances – online, by telephone or alternatively our Local Delivery Client Advisers can assist face to face at home
or an outreach Venue or via video call.

Contact – www.socialsecurity.gov.scotbenefits / 0800 822222

Locality – West Lothian Wide


St. John’s Church, Linlithgow

Sunday Church services – in person and online
Toddler groups
Youth groups
Sew Blessed
Men in Sheds

Contact – www.stjohnslinlithgow.org

Locality – Linlithgow based but all are welcome


Team Jak Foundation

Practical,social and emotional support for children and young people and their families who are on a cancer journey, whatever stage and those bereaved as well

Contact – info@teamjak.org.uk / 01506 4202

Locality – Scotland wide –  den based in Livingston


The New Well

Job Club and Job seekers drop in sessions (Thursdays)
Chatty Tables in local cafes (Mondays and Thursdays)
Counselling service (By appointment)

Contact – www.thenewwell.org

Locality – Based in Linlithgow but happy to support people from across West Lothian


The School Bank West Lothian

School uniform, footwear, jacket, PE kit, underwear, socks/tights, school bag, stationery and lunch box.

Contact – admin@schoolbank-westlothian.org

Locality – West Lothian Wide


Ukrainian Family Community Hub

All members of the family are welcome to come along to the Ukrainian Family Community Hub. Please see the poster for more information.

Ukrainian Family Community Hub


West Lothian College

Conversation classes and English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL)

Contact – jbegbie@west-lothian.ac.uk

Locality – West Lothian Wide


West Lothian Community Race Forum

To support any issue regarding race and ethnicity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion spectrum.

Contact – communityraceforum@hotmail.co.uk

Locality – West Lothian Wide


West Lothian Council – Customer Information Service

We are West Lothian Council’s face to face enquiry service and our friendly staff are available to answer council enquiries, provide advice and information, forward on requests for service, assist with form filling and make referrals to other services/organisations. We deal with a wide range topic including: council tax, council housing and repairs, waste services, bus passes, school pupil placement.

Contact – Phone 01506 280150 to make an appointment. www.westlothian.gov.uk/cis

Locality – We have offices in the following towns: Armadale, Bathgate, Blackburn, Broxburn, Carmondean, Linlithgow, Livingston, West Calder and Whitburn


West Lothian Council – Community Centres

There are a large number of Community Centres and Village Halls within West Lothian; all of which offer a varied programme of activities, events and groups (some of which are free to attend). They vary from educational/learning activities, to support groups to exercise/leisure classes. You can also rent space within these buildings for gatherings, celebrations or meetings – they offer very competitive hire charges.

Contact – The contact information for each Community Centre is on our website: www.westlothian.gov.uk – type ‘community centres’ in the search box.

Locality – The majority of towns and villages have either a Community Centre or a Village Hall.


West Lothian Council – Library Service

Book lending; access to computers; digtal resources

Contact – Kay Ali

Locality – West Lothian Wide

Help with communicating

The council’s website can be translated into written or spoken Ukrainian by using the headphones icon on the bottom left hand side of every page.

Google Translate can help with translating basic conversation into written or spoken Ukrainian.

Guidance for people hosting refugees from Ukraine

Scottish Government is grateful for the generosity of the people of Scotland to host a displaced person from Ukraine under the Scottish super sponsor scheme. This scheme is designed to put people first and ensure those fleeing Russia’s illegal invasion are met with kindness and support when they arrive. Hosts are an important part of our Warm Scots Welcome.
To help people understand their role as hosts there are free online information sessions with the Scottish Refugee Council on May 31st and June 9th where they can get answers to questions they might have about hosting or about the super sponsor scheme in general.
For further details…
[/accordion] [accordion title=”Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine)” style=”h2″]

For the latest information on the Ukraine Sponsor schemes please see the Scottish Government website. .

Super Sponsor Scheme and Homes for Ukraine: guidance for hosts

https://www.gov.scot/publications/ukraine-super-sponsor-scheme-guidance-for-hosts/

For Local Authorities

https://www.gov.scot/publications/super-sponsor-scheme-and-homes-for-ukraine-guidance-for-local-authorities/

Any Ukrainian families arriving  in Edinburgh Airport or Edinburgh Waverley train station,  should locate the help desk team who will help with temporary accommodation and other support

Information from UK Government

If you or your friends and family have been affected and need support, you can get information on the UK Government’s website:

How to apply to submit biometric information

If you have been granted six months’ leave to remain in the UK, you can apply to submit your biometric information on the UK Government website.

Ukrainian Consulate and other embassies

Ukrainian Consulate in Edinburgh

The consulate’s normal opening hours are

  • Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9am to 1pm
  • Tuesday between 2pm to 6pm
  • Thursday: only for people who are disabled, pregnant or seriously ill between 9am to 1pm

Telephone 0131 556 0023

Email gc_gbe@mfa.gov.ua . In cases of emergency life-threatening situations telephone 07909 056906

Other embassies

You can get details of all embassies, consulates and high commissions in the UK on the UK Government website.

Scottish Refugee Council – https://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/know-your-rights-ukraine-scheme/

Free helpline. Telephone 0808 196 7274

Other support

Scottish Refugee Council are an independent charity dedicated to supporting people in need of refugee protection.

https://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/

Call the free helpline on 0808 1967 274 for information and advice on refugee and asylum issues.

For information and advice relating to the crisis in Ukraine, you can also contact by email at ukraine@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk

Legal advice

Citizens Advice Bureau

If you need advice on issues including  employment, immigration or legal advice, you can contact the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Just Right Scotland

Ukraine Advice Scotland project has been funded by the Scottish Government to provide free, confidential legal advice and information to Ukrainians and their families on legal routes for seeking safety in Scotland.

https://www.justrightscotland.org.uk/what-we-do/migrant-refugee-rights/ukraine-advice-scotland/

Health

Read a guide to NHS Scotland Services for displaced persons from Ukraine (in English and Ukrainian).

NHS 111: 24-hour advice helpline for physical or mental health. Read more about calling 111 for health advice (in English and Ukrainian). Telephone 111

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