Colchester City of Sanctuary

The Government has announced amendments to the existing Homes for Ukraine (HFU) sponsorship scheme. From 15:00 on 19 February, a new applicant’s initial permission to stay, will now be 18 months. The sponsor eligibility requirements have also changed to ensure those in the UK who sponsor Ukrainians must themselves be settled in the UK.  

Theses changes also include the closure of the Ukraine Family Scheme to new applications, in favour of rationalising the visa routes to a single out-of-country visa application route (Homes for Ukraine) and a single in-country route for those already here seeking to extend their existing leave. 

Recently, the Council have worked with local voluntary services, in particular RAMA (Refugee, Asylum seeker & Migrant Action) to support over 300 Ukrainian refugees and their hosts. Colchester City residents have welcomed the most Ukrainian refugees in Essex showing how Colchester really is a welcoming City.

Many of our guest have now been in Colchester for two years and their original sponsors – for a variety of reasons are unable to continue to support them. We are looking for new sponsors to host these guests.

The government have increased the thank you payment for hosts to £500 once the guest has been in the UK for 12 months. This is to help sponsors who are able to continue hosting for longer, up to a maximum duration of 2 years. This includes when a sponsor or guest has been rematched, even if it is the sponsor’s first-time hosting.

Homes for Ukraine: sign up to be a sponsor

The Homes for Ukraine scheme allows individuals and organisations to offer a home to Ukrainian people and become a ‘sponsor’.

Register your interest

Find more information on eligibility checks and advice on becoming a sponsor.

As your local council we have several responsibilities – they can be viewed here the role of councils.

Accommodation standards

Accommodation must be available for at least 6 months, be fit for people to live in, and suitable for the number of people to be accommodated. Your property will be checked by our Private Rented Sector Housing team, to make sure it is suitable. You will not receive you thank you payments until this check is completed.

Find out more

For more information on home checks and support available, contact communities@colchester.gov.uk.

Information on DBS and safeguarding checks

All DBS and safeguarding checks will be carried out by Essex County Council, you can find more information on DBS and safeguarding checks on the essex.gov website.

Payments and financial support

The thank you payments for sponsors will be issued by Essex County Council. Find out more

Guests will receive their £200 payment from Refugee, Asylum seeker and Migrant Action (RAMA) when they arrive.

Support for sponsors

Find more information on sponsor responsibilities and how sponsors can help their guests.

Support from local organisations and charities, and information on local services can be found in the sponsor information pack.

There is also help and information available for those just arriving in the UK, you can view resources to support new arrivals.

Introduction to Ukrainian language and culture course: Sign up to a free Introduction to Ukrainian language and culture course with The Open University.

Find out more

If something goes wrong

For more information on what to do about sponsorship breakdowns, sponsor and guest disagreements, contact RAMA on 01206 638454 or email rama@rama.org.uk. for a failed home check, or other concerns contact communities@colchester.gov.uk.

My guest has moved out

If your guest/guests move out, you must email h4u@essex.gov.uk