The Ukrainian flag will fly at Halifax Town Hall this month, as a mark of Calderdale’s ongoing solidarity with Ukrainian communities.
Every weekend in April, from Saturday 9 April 2022 and including Good Friday and Easter Monday, Calderdale Council will fly Ukraine’s blue and yellow flag from the Town Hall’s flagpole.
The Council is also continuing to light up Wainhouse Tower in blue and yellow as a mark of respect on behalf of the whole borough, and is supporting and promoting the ways local people can show unity with everyone affected by the heart-breaking events in Ukraine.
This includes launching a new web page giving details of the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme; the Council’s role in supporting local people who have offered to accommodate Ukrainian refugees; help for Ukrainians coming to Calderdale; and other ways that communities can give support and donations. Visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/residents/community-and-living/equality-and-diversity/supporting-ukraine
The Mayor of Calderdale, Cllr Chris Pillai, said:
“The scenes we are seeing in Ukraine are devastating. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ukrainian communities, and they continue to have our support and solidarity at this extremely difficult time.
“We are proud of Calderdale’s kindness, diversity and togetherness, and know that many people across our communities will be deeply concerned about the events in Ukraine and would like to show their support.
“The Ukrainian flag at Halifax Town Hall and the continued illumination of Wainhouse Tower are symbols of our entire borough’s solidarity with Ukrainian communities. We are providing a range of information to local people to make it as easy as possible for them to help.
“Calderdale has a long tradition of welcoming refugees from around the world. We are a Valley of Sanctuary, with a strong network of organisations working together to create a friendly, inclusive borough for everyone.”
Calderdale is seeing amazing examples of kindness across its communities. Through the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, at least 30 Calderdale households have been matched so far to Ukrainians who are seeking safety in the UK and have made visa applications.
The Council is in regular contact with Migration Yorkshire about the situation in Ukraine and will continue to show commitment to working with the Home Office to support national initiatives to ensure refugees are supported.
Over the coming weeks, the Council will be contacting sponsors who have signed up to Homes for Ukraine, to arrange the process for checks that need to be in place such as property visits and DBS checks.
As Government guidance emerges, the Council will also be developing its support for refugees and sponsors. This includes working with the local voluntary and faith sectors to provide a warm welcome, a new home where people can feel safe, and ongoing community connection for Ukrainian refugees coming to Calderdale.
For more information about support for Ukraine, visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/residents/community-and-living/equality-and-diversity/supporting-ukraine
Kindness is one of the key themes of the Vision2024 for Calderdale. The year 2024 marks Calderdale’s 50th birthday. Where do we want to be by 2024? What’s our ambition and what will be different? Visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision
ENDS