Trees are planted to mark first anniversary
ONE year on since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Leicestershire County Council is marking the occasion with a special tree planting ceremony at County Hall in Glenfield.
Councillor Nick Rushton, Leader of the Council and Councillor Deborah Taylor, Deputy Leader of the Council, were joined by Chairman Councillor Kevin Feltham and representatives from the Leicester Ukrainian Club, Kalyna, as well as Ukrainian guests and their sponsors, to plant an oak tree outside County Hall.
Last February changed the lives of millions of Ukrainians following the military assault by Russia. In response, the council pulled together with partner authorities and agencies in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland as part of the Government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
Over the last year, the council’s support has included creating a dedicated Homes for Ukraine team and a welcome point for guests arriving at East Midlands Airport.
A travel grant for guests, as well as trauma support and help to secure school places for children arriving in the UK, was also made available. The council also supported sponsors by increasing the payment for hosts during the winter from £350 to £500.
Established rapidly following the invasion to support arriving guests, the Homes for Ukraine team will continue its hard work with both guests and sponsors to ensure continued help and support to everyone playing such an important part of the scheme.
More than 500 households committed their support and over the last 12 months welcomed almost 1,000 guests from Ukraine, including 350 children. In collaboration with the council’s Homes for Ukraine Team and the Leicester Ukraine Club “Kalyna,” guests have settled in their local area, making an enormously positive impact on their new communities.
Guests have helped to support other Ukrainians arriving in the UK, volunteering in their local communities and finding employment, some of whom now work on the Homes for Ukraine scheme, making a valuable contribution to the initiative.