Over half a million pounds of extra funding is being given to district and borough councils across East Sussex by the Conservative-run county council to help administer the costs of Ukrainian guests and their hosts.
The arrangements were agreed this week by Conservative councillor Carl Maynard the Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health.
In recognising the administration needed for the Homes for Ukrainians scheme, £534,000 is being allocated to help across the county. This will comprise a fixed amount of £75,000 to each council plus an additional sum for each and every Ukrainian guest they have in their area. Funding is being provided to meet all associated costs including providing services and meeting administrative costs.
More than 600 host families across East Sussex have welcomed those fleeing the war in Ukraine into their homes; with 1,000 Ukrainian guests have settled in the county since the launch of the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme in March.
Since the start of the war, many Ukrainians have fled with few possessions, leaving behind family and friends not knowing when they will be able to return.
Television presenter Natasha Kaplinsky, who lives near Fletching, is hosting a family from Lviv (pictured). She had very personal reasons for wanting to help, and said there was no doubt in her mind about opening her home.
Natasha said: “I come from a family of refugees. My father was a political refugee from South Africa and our family fled Europe in the Second World War, so taking in a family was just something I had to do. I am very privileged to have the space and there was no question in my mind that I needed to do whatever I could to help.”
Across the county Sarah Whittaker, who owns an equine vet practice with her husband Reuben, have welcomed a family from Kharkov to their home in Northiam (pictured). Sarah’s grandmother fled Germany as a refugee and Sarah wanted to do something in recognition of the help she received in England.
Sarah says: “Reuben and I were keen to help if we could. If we were in the same situation we would hope someone would do it for us.”
Cllr Keith Glazier, leader of East Sussex County Council, said: “The community effort to help settle those fleeing the conflict in East Sussex has been tremendous, and I would like to thank all our residents for their help and support.”
East Sussex County Council recently set up the Homes for Ukraine Community Support Grant Fund to distribute £490,000 to Voluntary Action groups to help them support the work of local networks and community hubs. The council is also providing laptops and a Ukrainian language welcome guide to Ukrainian guests.
