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A Nottinghamshire County Council-led funding pot to support community groups which are tirelessly helping Ukrainian people settle into the county has been doubled to £200k 

This support, which launched earlier this summer, is being funded by the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme.

With an estimated 1,200 Ukrainian people due to arrive in the county under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, eligible groups are able to apply for funds of up to £5,000 to continue to help provide advice and support. This includes hosting special community events, providing access to translation services and language classes and promoting health and well-being.

The first batch of projects have now been awarded funds, including three projects run by Nottingham’s Ukrainian Cultural Centre which has warmly welcomed the funding.

This Nottingham Branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain is also the Council Chairman’s, Cllr Roger Jackson, community cause this year, so he has been busy championing the work they do.

At the recent ‘Defenders of the Flag’ commemorations, Cllr Jackson presented the Centre with a cheque, having raised £5,000 in donations so far. 

Cllr John Cottee, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities said,

“We recognise the huge contribution that voluntary groups are already making to the lives of those who have fled Ukraine and endured unimaginable suffering, with people arriving in the county every week of course.

“We’ve had a great response to these funds which is why we decided to double this funding to help as many of these groups as possible  
“The response from local communities has been incredible, particularly those who have opened up their homes to guests, with new hosts coming forward all the time.

“As a county council we have been working closely with partners to help the Home for Ukraine scheme run as smoothly as possible. We are helping with access to benefits, healthcare, employment, language and other support.”


Nottingham’ s Ukrainian Cultural Centre is providing support for guests across the county with three separate projects receiving funding:

*The Centre’s popular Chai Club receives £5,000 towards volunteer travel costs, equipment, and premises costs. The Chai Club provides access to health, financial information and support as well as providing volunteering and befriending opportunities for Ukrainian guests in a safe space which promotes Ukrainian culture. 

*£4,480 will go towards volunteer expenses, tutor fees, costs towards equipment and venue hire to support creative artist programmes aimed at encouraging young people to focus on the links between Ukrainian cultural heritage and living in Nottinghamshire. This is supported by architects and aims to equip young Ukrainians with ideas, knowledge, and skills to help rebuild their homeland in the future.

*£4,760 toward tutor fees and volunteer expenses to provide five sessions of ESOL at different levels of ability weekly over a period of 33 weeks, delivered by qualified tutors.

Council Chairman, Cllr Jackson commented,

 “I’m delighted that Nottingham’s Ukrainian Centre has had this level of support from both the donations raised and via the council’s Local Community Fund.

 “This centre has done so much to help to welcome guests arriving in Nottinghamshire and acted as first point of contact for many of the hosts.

"It is very much at the heart of the community providing information, guidance, practical advice and help to those Ukrainians who have been displaced.”

Lina Maksymuk from the Ukrainian Cultural Centre thanked Nottinghamshire County Council for the funding. She said,

“We are confident that these grants will not only help different groups of new arrivals but will also help all our volunteers who have been working tirelessly all these months and will make functioning of the Ukrainian centre as a facility and as a hub more sustainable."

The other projects to receive funding from the first round are: 

1st/2nd West Bridgford Scout Group - £2,000 will help fund towards volunteer expenses, community events and refreshments. The Group provides Ukrainian guests and their families with a safe space to meet with the wider community to access support and information. This includes access to English language classes, and a range of social activities.

The Homes for Ukraine Bassetlaw Support Group - £3,700 will go towards volunteer travel costs, equipment, and premises costs to support a local group specifically set up to support Ukrainian guests. The Group deliver a full range of support services such as ESOL, employment support and social events.

Newark & Sherwood Community & Voluntary Service will receive £4,975 to help fund additional staff who will encourage Ukrainian guests to access opportunities to improve their language skills and help them access support, advice and guidance and increase chances of future employment.

Nottingham-based Refugee Roots will receive £5,000 which will contribute towards volunteer travel costs, equipment, and premises costs. Building on existing expertise to support refugees and asylum seekers, this group provide a safe space in the community for Ukraine guests across Notts to access English languages classes, requalification, employment support, volunteering opportunities, gardening and health and wellbeing activities. 

St Johns Church, Worksop - £5,000 will contribute towards volunteer travel costs, equipment, and premises costs.
The Church provides a safe space for guests to enables them to make friends and access local employment opportunities, health care and professional trauma support if needed. 

Beeston-based Transform Training will receive £4,980 to help fund additional staffing capacity, volunteer expenses and room hire to provide specialist employability support for Homes for Ukraine guests, providing translation services for CVs, supporting job search and interview preparation.

The LCF scheme is supporting eligible local community projects and activities to welcome and integrate refugees arriving in Nottinghamshire. This will include:

• Costs associated with supporting English language classes
• Costs associated with running job clubs
• Advice and support on financial matters
• Tackling loneliness and isolation through for example befriending schemes and support networks
• Promoting health and well-being
• Organising community events
• Supporting and encouraging volunteering.
The scheme will work in the similar way as the Local Community Fund,
• A rolling programme of applications throughout the year
• A maximum of £5,000 can be applied for per project/activity
• A simple application and assessment process
• A member-led approach with the approval of grants made by the Cabinet Member for Communities  

Eligible groups can apply here: The Local Communities Fund (LCF) | Nottinghamshire County Council