How to help people in Ukraine
The Scottish Government has set up a website about how to give your support.
Register as a host
The Warm Scots Welcome is a route to accommodation, support and care in Scotland for people displaced by the invasion of Ukraine.
The Scottish Government acts as a ‘super sponsor’, removing the need for applicants to be matched to a named person before they are cleared to travel to the UK through the visa system.
A welcome guide for Ukrainians
The UK Government has a welcome guide for people arriving from Ukraine. It has information on what to expect in the first few days, and how to settle in with your sponsor family. There is also guidance on updating immigration status after arrival.
How hosts can support their Ukrainian guest/s
The Gov.UK website has FAQs and advice for hosts. The Scottish Government has also published guidance for hosts under the Super Sponsor Scheme.
- Visit the Gov.UK FAQs page
- More information for hosts, including thank you payments
- Scottish Government guidance for hosts under the Super Sponsor Scheme
Local help and support for Ukrainians and hosts
Host checks
Hosts will be contacted directly by the council either before or as soon as possible after your Ukrainian family or individual arrives. If you have applied to be a host and have questions about the process please read the information below and, if needed, contact us at:
Ukraine arrivals emergency payment
For information on how to claim the £200 per person emergency payment please email:
Payments to hosts
The council will set up arrangements directly with hosts.
Getting medical help in Midlothian
To set up a bank account
The Royal Bank of Scotland has online help for Ukrainians wishing to open an account.
Staff in local branches of any banks or building societies will help Ukrainian customers set up accounts.
Claiming benefits
People fleeing Ukraine and arriving in the UK can claim benefits immediately.
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has information about how Ukrainians in the UK can get financial help.
Your local Jobcentre Plus staff can help make sure Ukrainians claim Universal Credits and other benefits.
Dalkeith JobCentre Plus
7 Buccleuch St,
Dalkeith
EH22 1HB
Call 0800 169 0190
Our Midlothian Council Welfare Rights Team can help with benefit advice for social work clients, people over pension age, people with cancer or their carers, and people who need help appealing a DWP decision.
- 0131 270 8922
Schools
Your child/young person will get a place at his/her catchment school or the nearest school with available places.
If you need any help to find your child's catchment school:
- Email pupil.placement@midlothian.gov.uk
- Call: 0131 271 3733
School transport
School transport will be discussed with each family.
School meals and clothing grants
All Ukrainian children attending school in our education centre will get a free school meal. Clothing grants will be offered to individual families.
Leisure centres
Ukrainian families can use Midlothian Council’s leisure facilities/ swimming pools at a reduced cost. Contact Ukrainesupport@midlothian.gov.uk to request a “concession card” which you can use at the leisure facilities,
Bus passes
Ukrainians could be eligible for free or discounted travel to get around Scotland if they are:
- aged 5 to 21 years
- over 60
- or have a disability.
More about bus passes and applications
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.
More council help and support
If you still need help:
If you are worried about a child or an adult
- Children & Families on 0131 271 3413 (Emergency Out of Hours: 0800 731 6969)
- Adult Social Care on 0131 271 3900 (Emergency Out of Hours: 0800 731 6969)
Other local supports
Our Support for All page has contact details for local organisations who can help with issues such as mental health and food and fuel poverty.
Housing in Midlothian
Midlothian will rehome a comparatively small number of refugees. We use a points system to work out how urgent anyone's housing need is so that we can prioritise how council-owned homes are allocated.
People with more urgent needs rise to the top of the list more quickly. People who are more flexible about where they live may get a tenancy more quickly if they accept a property that others have refused.
Help from other agencies
Scottish Refugee Council
The Scottish Refugee Council is running a Ukrainian Family Scheme. It is holding regular online information sessions for people affected by the Ukraine conflict who have recently arrived in Scotland and for relatives who have welcomed or are about to welcome their family arriving from Ukraine.
Ukrainian Institute
The Ukrainian Institue has information for refugees in the UK.
Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)
The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) provides impartial, factual, accurate information and analysis to members in support of Scottish Parliament parliamentary business.
SPICe has published a briefing about supporting Ukrainians to come to the UK.
Gov.UK
The Westminster Government has pages on its website with more information on what we can all do to help the people of Ukraine.
Metropolitan Police
Barnardo’s UK-wide helpline
The charity, Barnardo’s, following discussion with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, has set up the Ukrainian Support Helpline to provide an holistic support service. The helpline is available to anyone fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.
To donate
You can help by donating money as this is a safe, quick and direct way to support people in Ukraine, according to national and international agencies.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)
The DEC brings together 15 leading aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently at times of crisis overseas.
The British Red Cross
The British Red Cross has launched the Ukraine Crisis Appeal. You can find FAQs and donate on its website.
UNHCR – United Nations Refugee Agency
The UNHCR supports people fleeing conflict and persecution to seek protection and rebuild their lives. To donate visit its website.
UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Agency
UNICEF protects children. To support their Ukrainian appeal visit the website to donate.
Oxfam
The charity Oxfam, which works to help beat world-wide poverty, has launched an appeal to support people in Ukraine. Visit the website to donate.