here's the video of the Lymm & District Ukraine Group meeting from Friday 25th March 2022: https://youtu.be/JsNolVH8s3g
The video is nearly 90 minutes long. Feel free to dip in & out using the notes and timings below:
00:04:20
Lisa Hughes – experiences of Ukraine from a business visitor’s perspective
00:11:10
Kristen Bender – guidance for families interested in sponsoring a family, advice on some of the issues, concerns, local support, practical advice on how the process is currently working. Visa application process.
00:25:00
Sue Davidson – Warburton (please note that this is just in Trafford!) mother and hopefully sponsor to a mother and daughter from Khardiv, Ukraine, discussing the experiences of the hosting process as at 25th March 2022
00:46:00
Graham Gowland, Lymm Parish and Warrington Borough Councillor, highlighting local council current position and support plans, and current processes (focussed on Warrington Borough Council)
00:48:20
Questions:
Q1 – Visa applications where the Ukrainian in question has limited documentation due to circumstances – suggested that all Ukrainian people should have access to an online bill payments system – details to follow can be downloaded in English (which will aid the UK visa process), and should have proof of address. Details to be added to Lymm & District Ukraine Help Facebook Group.
00:50:25
Q2 – most Ukrainians have online bank statements, that can be downloaded in English.
00:51:20
Q3 – Highlighting the plans to check refugees with DBS style checks / safeguarding for hosts (though noted that most refugees are expected to be mothers with children. Highlighted that UK social services are expected to be involved.
00:52:40
Q4 - The question is from a host expecting a family of four coming via Dublin, where the family will split – how to apply for the visa(s), e.g. do both host households need to apply for separate visas?
00:54:30
Q5 – Sarah Rotchell – Lymm Baptist Church Children & Families worker, with contacts to families needing assistance just over the border in ****. Plans to aid Ukrainian families in & around Lymm.
00:56:30
Q6 – asks about getting DBS checks in advance (don’t bother), fingerprinting concerns (not thought to be a problem), travel passes, dedicated HMRC telephone number.
Part 2
00:56:25
Graham Gowland – WBC funding plans, formal & local support needs & plans.
00:59:00
Kirsty James, Lymm Sanctuary Hub, practical support, local donation hub
01:04:00
Caroline Barr – local primary school position, discussions and plans so far…
01:05:50
Kieran Walshe – LHS Governor – LHS position & plans
01:07:15
Sue Davidson – question about further education for Ukrainian refugees in the UK
01:08:40
Inna - Planned support for Ukrainian language learning for younger children
(apologies – Inna is off camera shot to avoid filming young children)
01:15:10
Lisa Glover – introduction & offer of help
01:16:16
Question about applying for secondary school place (answered by Kieran Walshe)
01:17:25
Question about hosting when only one single room is available, discussion about separating families / how to manage larger / extended families
01:22:30
question about longer term housing in & around Lymm
01:23:35
Question about translation services for hosting someone with complex medical needs and very limited English language skills (poor audio)