Support and information for people from Ukraine

UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals - guidance on support available to Ukrainian nationals and their family members.

Ukrainian nationals in the UK: visa support for Ukrainians already in the UK.

Additionally, you can contact UK Visas and Immigration via GOV.UK.

Move to the UK if you’re from Ukraine: check what you need to do before you travel to the UK and what to do after you arrive. 

Guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK: guides for Homes for Ukraine guests about applying to the scheme, finding work, accessing benefits, education and health for children and adults.

Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (UPE): If you’re a Ukrainian national, or the family member of a Ukrainian national, and are living in the UK with existing permission under one of the Ukraine schemes, you may be able to apply for UPE to continue living in the UK for up to a further 18 months.

Access to Healthcare

Solihull is a welcoming borough, and our aim is to help you have a safe and comfortable experience while living in Solihull. This guide provides information about access to health care. It includes specific advice to support those arriving on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

There is also a welcome leaflet that details how to find and use local health services: Welcome to Solihull. 

How the NHS works: a simple explanation of how the NHS works in England.

• How the NHS works - English
• How the NHS works - Ukrainian
• How the NHS works – Russian

General Practitioners (GPs)

It is recommended that you register with a GP (doctor) to help you access the right support. Solihull has a wide network of GPs.

Find an NHS GP

We advise that you call the practice and ask to register. You do not need proof of ID, address, or immigration status.

Dentist

You will need to register with a dentist as well.

You can find a local dentist here.

Emergency Department (also known as A&E)

Call 111 if you need urgent medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation. You can also go to 111 online

Call 999 for life threatening emergencies. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.

Pharmacies

Here you can learn how to order repeat prescriptions, find prescription charges, and learn how pharmacists can help you with medicines and medical advice.

If you want more information related to the vaccines offered in the UK and when to have them, please visit  NHS vaccinations guide.  

Migrant vaccination guides - advice on how to get up to date with your vaccinations upon arriving in the UK:

• Migrant Vaccination Guide - English
• Migrant Vaccination Guide - Ukrainian
• Migrant Vaccination Guide - Russian

There are many services available that provide support for the mental health needs of adults and children:

• Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
• Mental Health Support Services | Solihull Council 

Other resources:

• Talking to children about war and conflict
• What we say comic 

Each individual on the Homes for Ukraine visa will receive a one-off payment of £200 once the individual has been confirmed to have arrived in Solihull.

Primary and secondary age children

For children between the ages of 5 and 15, you can apply for a school place via our In-Year admission application. You can find guidance here.

Young people between the age of 16 to 18

Children and young people must stay in full-time education until they reach school leaving age.  

Adult and community learning 

If you are an adult who wants to start learning, to return to learning, or to continue learning we may have a course in Solihull for you. 

Solihull College have many courses, including ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

The Open University have free online resources, including English language courses, which can be found on their website.

Opening a bank account

To open a bank account in the UK, an individual will need to show proof of identity such as passport, biometric residency permit, driver’s licence, or recognised identity card. Some banks also ask for proof of address, which is an issue because guests on the Homes for Ukraine scheme do not have this proof of address.

However, there are a number of UK banks that allow you to open an account when you do not have a permanent UK address, including digital banks Starling and Monzo.

Financial support

• You can apply for Universal Credit if you are on a low income or unemployed.
• Cost of Living Payments

Benefits

The local Job Centre Plus will help individuals find out which benefits to access and also help them apply for local employment opportunities. It is important for guests to register with the Job Centre as soon as possible.

If you have children, you can claim Child Benefit

National Insurance number

Completion of a benefits application will trigger the process to be provided with a National Insurance number.

Work

Ukrainian guests arriving under the Homes for Ukraine scheme have the right to work as soon they arrive in the UK. They need to be 18 years old to work full time.  

DWP support for Ukrainians arriving in the UK

Employability 

Your local Job Centre can help you find a job or gain new skills. Find out more information here.

Volunteering

For information on volunteering opportunities, rights and expenses, visit GOV.UK.

You may decide to move out of your sponsor’s accommodation and into private rented accommodation or council housing. You will have responsibilities as a tenant, but also rights as a tenant too.

The following document provides all the information about housing options in Solihull:

Housing Options in Solihull - English

Варіанти житла в Соліхаллі - Ukranian

Варианты жилья в Солихалле - Russian

Council tax

Council tax is a tax on your home, collected by your local authority. The amount you pay will depend on where you live and the type of resident, as different local authorities charge different amounts of council tax.

It doesn’t matter if you rent or own the property, you still have to pay council tax – though some people, including full-time students, are exempt.

For more information, please visit: Council tax and benefits.

Homelessness

If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, there is help available. Please contact Solihull Community Housing as soon as possible on: 0121 717 1515

If you are already homeless, Solihull Community Housing will be in contact the same me day. Solihull Community Housing can also help you join the housing register if you are eligible and give you advice on your housing options.

Legal aid solicitors

If you are on a low income and need help from an immigration solicitor, you can search the list of legal aid providers: GOV.UK - Find a legal aid adviser.

Immigration advisers

You can also find an immigration adviser on the Home Office Adviser Finder tool. 

Use this tool to see if you can drive in Great Britain with your non-GB driving licence.

What you must do to bring your pet to the UK from Ukraine if you are seeking refugee,  can be found at the following webpage: Bringing your pet to the UK from Ukraine - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Solihull Council is delighted to be working in partnership with Entraide, a well-established charity which works alongside asylum seekers, refugees, vulnerable migrants and their dependants in the UK to support them with their integration into society.

Entraide are providing the principal support for those arriving on the Homes for Ukraine scheme, which covers the following areas:

• Initial welcome and welfare support – including assistance with Visas, the provision of £200 on arrival, applications for Universal Credit, health and safety information and emergency contacts
• Access to health services - including assistance with GP registration, dentists, pharmacies, support in accessing mental health services, and any other health needs as appropriate
• Schools - including support with school applications
• ESOL – supporting assessments of English language competencies and access to appropriate levels of learning opportunities
• Employment & training – supporting access to training opportunities and steps into paid employment
• Social care, safeguarding and support – working with individuals to identify any additional needs and referrals to relevant services and support
• Wellbeing care – providing support for accessing clothing, food, and other appropriate items
• General orientation and community integration – promoting independence and participation in community activities and community life
• Follow on welfare and housing advice and support – providing housing support when considering moving into own housing

Other organisations providing local support:

• BRAMA, a charity providing support for refugees, asylum seekers and those impacted by disasters.

Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB), including information about places of worship.

You can contact the Solihull Homes for Ukraine team at refugees@solihull.gov.uk