At least 77 refugees are set to arrive in the borough under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, Bracknell Forest Council have announced. 

Hosts will be welcoming the first arrivals to the borough in the next couple of days, which will include 29 children. 

The leader of Bracknell Forest Council, Councillor Paul Bettison, said: “For the past couple of weeks we have been busy preparing for Ukrainian people to settle in Bracknell Forest as they escape the ongoing invasion of their homeland by the Russian leadership.” 

READ MORE: Ukraine: Bracknell Forest shows support for new family visa scheme

The council is working alongside charities and the voluntary sector to ensure all Ukranian guests have access to health care, education and employment opportunities. 

There will also be accommodation and safeguarding checks to guarantee their welfare, as well as on-going work to provide emotional support and supplies. 

The council has outlined the provisions it has set-up in anticipation of their arrival which include processing and providing a £200 emergency payment, processing and providing the £350 payment for hosts and offering practical information on how to access essential services. 

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Cllr Bettison added: “We’ve […] been working with our local Ukrainian and Russian communities to see how we can support them – this offer of support will remain open indefinitely. 

“I’m incredibly proud of the outpouring of support for those affected by the invasion of Ukraine and I am sure that our community will be equally as welcoming to our new Ukrainian guests, once they arrive.” 

Ukrainian people will also be arriving in Bracknell under the Ukraine Family Visa scheme. The council has announced a package of support to assist them, which includes advice on how to obtain benefits, school places and other essential requirements. 

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Bracknell residents have been offering their unwavering support to Ukraine ever since the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, invaded its sovereign territory at the end of February. 

Here are just a few examples: 

 

The chairman of Bracknell Town FC accelerating a sponsorship programme to a Ukrainian boy to prevent him from being conscripted when he turned 18. 

A troop of Binfield volunteers offering collection and transport of supplies to Ukraine. 

Natalia Vil, a Ukrainian resident of Bracknell, was overwhelmed by the community as vans were loaded with essential supplies to be sent to Ukraine. 

Two school children in Crowthorne created a jewellery making business to help people in need.

A group from Bracknell went to Ukraine to help offer humanitarian aid and transport to refugees at the border. 

Bracknell Forest Council lit up Times Square in the colours of Ukraine as a show of support and solidarity. 

Bracknell hosted a running event in support of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the conflict.