Wiltshire schools raise more than £11k as council ramps up checks for Ukrainian refugees
School applications have already been received
A non school uniform day set up by the Wiltshire Youth Council has raised more than £11,000 for the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Appeal.
Pupils across the county were encouraged to wear blue and yellow on April 1st.
It comes as Wiltshire Council are ramping up as they prepare to welcome refugees who have fled the country.
They're putting in additional staffing to provide housing checks.
Residents from 218 households so far have offered safe homes for people fleeing.
Figures from the Home Office show that 102 Ukrainian visas have been issued in Wiltshire so far.
The council is also putting in place caseworkers and working on payment mechanisms for sponsors and emergency support for new arrivals.
Officers are working alongside partners to provide sufficient school places, as well as working closely with the NHS, Department for Work and Pensions and town and parish councils.
Meanwhile, they have received 33 school applications to continue education for young refugees.
Wiltshire Youth Councillor Youssef Elmorsy said
“What a great initiative taken up by Wiltshire Schools, that truly reflects their selflessness in dire times. Looking beyond the student’s own needs and focussing on others struggles. A great reflection of Wiltshire.”
Alongside partners, the council has produced a welcome pack for refugees with information on local services including libraries, leisure centres, applying for a school place and health information.
Cllr Richard Clewer said:
“Once again Wiltshire residents have responded with generosity and kindness to people fleeing their homes in Ukraine. Our latest figures show we have 584 people matched to 218 households in Wiltshire – a remarkable figure. We know that each and every one of those individuals coming to Wiltshire will be assured of a warm welcome.
“The government has given local authorities a key role in supporting refugees and this includes accommodation and welfare and suitability checks as well as providing other support around payments and emergency help. We are adding to our dedicated team to help meet this high demand and we thank all our sponsors for their patience. We look forward to continuing to work with them and to acknowledge the surge of voluntary support which is evident across the county so Ukrainian refugees can make Wiltshire their home, recognising how difficult and heart breaking this situation is for them.”