Calderdale continues to be a place of sanctuary for Ukrainians living in the UK, after fleeing the war in their country.
Just over two years on from the launch of the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme in Calderdale, around 200 Ukrainians now call the borough home.
Thanks to the generosity of Calderdale people, many Ukrainian refugees are living safely in their hosts’ homes. However, more hosts are needed to help some families to remain in the area in which they are currently very settled.
Calderdale Council is working with Migration Yorkshire to encourage more people to register as hosts for Ukrainian families. There is a particular need for hosts in the Hebden Bridge and Brighouse areas of Calderdale.
Hosts on the scheme can receive up to £500 a month to help with additional costs associated with hosting.
Compassionate individuals and families can register their interest in the Homes for Ukraine scheme at: https://www.gov.uk/register-interest-homes-ukraine(external link)
To find out more about the scheme or for information about support for Ukrainian refugees in Calderdale, please visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/residents/community-and-living/equality-and-diversity/supporting-ukraine or email homesforukraine@calderdale.gov.uk.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Housing, Cllr Scott Patient, said:
“As we continue to see heartbreaking scenes from Ukraine, we want to keep doing all we can to support refugees fleeing the war and seeking sanctuary in the UK.
“As a Valley of Sanctuary, Calderdale is known for its kindness and we’re so grateful for the many residents who have generously shared their homes as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
“To help Ukrainians in Calderdale remain settled in the places they feel at home, we’re asking more people to consider registering their interest in the scheme and going the extra mile to help our Ukrainian communities. There’s lots of support and advice available, both through the Council and other local organisations.”
A group of Ukrainians who came to Calderdale as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme have been sharing part of their unique culture with people in the borough, through the founding of the Hearts Apart choir.
The choir was set up around a year ago by students at Calderdale College, as a small group who enjoyed singing traditional and modern Ukrainian songs, led by a Ukrainian professional musician and choirmaster called Stanislava.
Since forming, the choir has gone on to perform at events across the borough, including the Council’s flagship We Are Calderdale event, which took place in June this year.
The songs the group now perform are diverse, including a range of authentic folk music and also modern compositions. Although the choir primarily sings in Ukrainian, they have translated some verses of songs into English to help increase cultural understanding of the songs and their rich lyrics.
Olena from the Hearts Apart choir, said:
“Singing songs is a national feature of Ukrainians and we find it refreshes us, energises us, and revives our souls. Singing is often nostalgic and the songs help us cope with our worries and longing.
“The war in Ukraine is traumatic and we all send our hearts to our Motherland as a gesture of support. This is why our choir is called Hearts Apart. We sing every song with our hearts and we are happy to share some Ukrainian culture with our English listeners.”
Kindness is an important part of the Vision 2024 for Calderdale. Calderdale reached its 50th anniversary on 1 April 2024. This is the ultimate year for the Vision 2024 for Calderdale. Find out more about it here: www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision
As 2024 closes, the transition to the new Vision 2034 for Calderdale will begin, encouraging local communities to be bold and ambitious about what we can do next to make Calderdale a better place for all.
ENDS