Below is information on local support for Ukrainian guests and their hosts. We’ve broken it down into relevant catego

You can translate this page by selecting the orange icon at the top-right of this page.

Ukraine updates for host and guests

We send out monthly email updates for hosts and guests from Ukraine. It includes details of support and activities in the district.

The most recent version is published on our website so it can be translated into Ukrainian.

Sign up here

Support for refugees and hosts

Community connections

Open to all seekers of sanctuary for a chat, helpful information and signposting.

No need to book, just turn up!

  • Alton Library – every Saturday 1-3pm
  • Bordon Library – first Monday of every month 11-1pm
  • Havant Library – every Saturday 2-5pm
  • Hayling Island Library – last Monday of every month 1-3pm
  • Waterlooville Library – every Saturday 2-4pm

Holiday activities and food programme

Children who have recently arrived children from Ukraine are also eligible for the Holiday Activity and Food programme (HAF). Children have the chance to enjoy free holiday activities and receive a hot meal each day they attend.

The HAF programme has free places available to school-aged children for the equivalent of at least four hours a day, four days a week and for six weeks a year.

This covers four weeks in the summer and a week’s worth of provision in each of the Easter and Christmas holidays.

Activity providers are located throughout Hampshire and outdoor education, dance, sports, and computer skills are among the activities being offered to the children.

For a list of providers running sessions across the district

How to access the NHS

Call NHS 111 if you urgently need medical help or advice but it's not a life-threatening situation. You can also call NHS 111 if you're not sure which NHS service you need.

Call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.

Some useful resources on COVID vaccinations are available in Ukrainian.

Mental health support

Barnardo’s Ukrainian Support Helpline

Barnardo’s have set up the Ukrainian Support helpline to offer advice and guidance for Ukrainian families arriving in the UK. Get in touch if you need support with:

  • therapy with a qualified psychotherapist – delivered via the phone or online, with access to interpreters 
  • advice on a range of issues e.g., housing, accessing key health services, education, employment and more via our trained helpline support workers 
  • practical support - access to digital devices to ensure families stay connected to loved ones during this worrying time, as well as stimulating toys for children, vital baby items and more (subject to demand)

All services include access to interpreters in Ukrainian and Russian.   

The Helpline is open: Monday – Friday 10am-8pm and on Saturday 10am-3pm.

You can phone them on 0800 148 8586.

You can email at: ukrainiansupport@barnardos.org.uk  or complete the online form.

Havant and East Hants Mind

Havant and East Hants Mind work to promote good mental health, seek to support and empower people to lead a full life as part of their local community through 1-1 support, workshops, courses and peer support groups.

You can self-refer yourself through their website - wellbeing self referral form or call them on 02392 498916.

START

START provide trauma counselling from qualified counsellors.

NHS Mind Matters

NHS Mind Matters provide expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental wellbeing and make them part of your daily routine.

iTalk

iTalk are a partnership between Solent Mind and Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust supporting people to improve their mental wellbeing through education, guided self-help tools and evidence-based talking therapies.

British Red Cross

The Red Cross offer a number of online wellbeing resources available in English and Ukrainian on managing anxiety, stress and the transition of moving to the UK.

We have also collated a range of more general mental health support available across the district.

DVLA Guidance on driving in the UK

If you are a Ukrainian national living in Great Britain (GB) on one of the Ukraine visa schemes, you can drive in GB without exchanging your Ukrainian driving licence for up to 3 years after becoming a resident.

This applies to licences that permit the driving of:

  • cars up to 3,500kg
  • motorcycles

This law came into effect on 7 July 2023.

If you have already exchanged your Ukrainian driving licence for a GB licence, you can continue to use your GB licence under its current terms and conditions.

If you stay in GB for more than 3 years, you will need to exchange your Ukrainian driving licence for a GB licence.

More information is available on GOV.UK

Transport

Are you having issues accessing local transport?

Find out more about how East Hants DC can help you.

Petersfield Voluntary Care Group (PVCG)

Petersfield Voluntary Care Group (PVCG) are offering guests free of charge transport to a medical or legal appointment. They can take guests from Petersfield, Sheet, Steep, Froxfield, and Stroud to hospitals such as QA and St Mary’s at Portsmouth, St Richard’s at Chichester, Southampton, Basingstoke, Frimley and Winchester and dentists at Waterlooville, Bedhampton and Grayshott.

They also currently take clients all over Petersfield to Doctors, Dentists, Opthalmologists.

Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult and when booking, please advise height of child in case a car safety seat is needed. This is the law under a certain age and/or height.

A suitable car seat must be used until the child reaches a height of 135 cms or 12 years old, whichever is reached first. Until they are 15 months old babies must travel in rear-facing seats.

They should go in the back to avoid complications from active passenger air-bags. Infants may be carried in infant carriers until 15 months, 13kg or 87 cms. It would be appreciated if the parent could provide any carrier or seat for their own child as the charity does not hold any. 

Phone 01730 266046 between 9.30am and 3.30pm Monday – Friday and please note, they do require at least 48 hours notice.

Bikes for guests

Are you and family members in need of a bike? Need to get to and from work? School? or Shopping?

Liss Men's Shed have plenty of recently repaired donated bikes and would love to hear from you if you are interested in taking them up on this offer. Please note, you will need to visit them initially to view and try bikes.

Contact them using the form on their website.

Wheels to work

Wheels to work is a moped loan service allowing you to independently get to work, apprenticeships, training or job interviews.

The service is available for people with no access to suitable transport aged 16+ in Winchester and East Hampshire, and 16-25 in the New Forest and Test Valley.

Bikeability

Bikeability is run by Hampshire County Council and is a training programme to give children the confidence to cycle from home to school.

Advice

Citizens Advice East Hampshire - Confidential, independent, impartial advice. Weekly Saturday morning session, 9.30am-12.30pm, at the Petersfield Office (second floor of Petersfield Library). Self-referrals can be made and appointments booked via an online referral form.

Citizens Advice Havant - For initial advice, call: 0808 278 7901

Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board - Anti-trafficking information and website aimed at keeping Ukrainian refugees safe

Employment Plus, Salvation Army Hall, Petersfield - Wednesday 9.30am to 11.30am - for anyone looking for employment advice.

Homestart Butser – 10 week nurturing programme

Home-Start is the UK’s leading family support charity and volunteers are all parents themselves and understand the difficulties families may be facing.

They support parents as they grow in confidence, strengthen their relationships with their children, and widen their links with the local community. It covers a large area of East Hampshire, from Greatham in the North to Rowlands Castle in the South

Hampshire Healthy Families

Hampshire Healthy Families is a partnership between Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and Barnardo's to deliver the healthy child programme across Hampshire. Hampshire Healthy Families has created a number of workshops and courses to support with your new baby through to starting school.

Find out what’s on in your local area.

Childcare and Early Years Education Information

Hampshire County Council have produced a useful guide to explaining childcare and early years education information in the UK. Please download English and Ukrainian versions.

English language lessons

Employment and training

Employment Plus, Salvation Army Hall, Petersfield - Wednesday 9.30am to 11.30am - for anyone looking for employment advice.

Y Aspire, Waterlooville - Mentoring for 16+ people looking to get back into education or work. Contact lorna@yservices.co.uk for further information.

If you require international qualifications to be converted, please visit the UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills.

Exercise and fitness

Get up and Go

The Get Up and Go programme provides physical activity classes for East Hampshire residents who are 18 or over with a physical or mental health condition. The programme is funded by Hampshire County Council. For more information, visit the Get Up and Go East Hants website.

Wellbeing Walks

Wellbeing Walks is free to attend and suitable for people of all abilities, from beginners to more experienced walkers. It’s a great way to improve your health and wellbeing and meet new people.

All walks are led by trained Walk Leaders who are there to offer information and support on the walk. You will need suitable footwear and comfortable clothing as walks take place in all weathers.

For first time walkers, we recommend calling or going to the website to check the walk is going ahead.

For more information, please contact the Wellbeing Walks Coordinator on 07341 462825 or email healthwalks@easthants.gov.uk.

Everyone Active Leisure Centres

Those in receipt of certain benefits can access a free 12-week course of swimming lessons at Taro Leisure Centre, Alton Sports Centre and Whitehill & Bordon Leisure Centre.

The scheme will follow the Swim England Learn to Swim Curriculum and be led by Everyone Active's Swim England qualified swimming teachers with free lessons taking place once per week for 12- weeks.

Social and wellbeing activities 

The local libraries are a great resource and will be hosting lots of groups and events during the winter months. 

Petersfield Area Churches Together are providing a Community Hub on a Saturday morning at the Kings Arms from 9.30 – 12.00 noon

St Lukes Church Grayshott – Ukrainian Communion Service – every 2nd Sunday of the month.

Clanfield Memorial Hall offering free use of their facilities to Ukrainian guests.

Younger Ukrainian Community

  • The Kings Arms in Dragon Street would welcome anyone aged 11-18 to any of their clubs, Monday to Friday
  • The Salvation Army Junior Club is open for 5-10 year olds from 6.30pm – 8pm on Fridays
  • Whitehill & Bordon community trust – every Monday the youth club runs from 7pm-9.30pm at the Forest Community Centre
  • CM Foundation offer free and inclusive holiday activities for children and young people
  • CM Sports offer holiday activities and food programme activities
  • Active8minds offer holiday activities and food programme camps