This page contains information about existing local social groups that your guests may want to join, with a particular focus on groups for children and families and language learning groups. These will be free of charge for Ukrainians, unless specified.
If you are not in West Sussex, we encourage you to call your local authority (e.g., County Council), as there are very often funded/subsidised courses for refugees.
Groups by and for Ukrainians
Some of our guests have set up online groups, run by and for Ukrainians. Here are the links to pass on to your guests:
Whatsapp Groups:
Chichester: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BmK1MDjM8ROBxAl0suMvyL
Telegram Groups:
West Sussex: https://t.me/+Z32GFZhAYXA5NDIy
Brighton area: https://t.me/+f6iaJEsAwbU5Y2Vi
Facebook Groups:
Brighton area: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2762232294086614
Other:
Website for the Ukrainian community in Brighton: https://www.standforukrainebnh.org/
Drop-Ins, newly formed for Ukrainians to meet up with one another, though hosts are also welcome. These often involve tea/coffee and sometimes children's activities.
Mondays 3pm-5pm, Sanctuary in Chichester runs drop-ins in Chichester. Contact them for more information.
Tuesdays 10am, Fieldway Community Pavilion in Haslemere
Wednesdays 1pm-3pm, Shore Community Church Café (73 Victoria Drive, Bognor Regis PO21 2TD)
Thursdays 2pm-5pm, Fittleworth Village Hall, Fittleworth, RH20 1JB. Organised by Ukrainians for Ukrainians.
NB: Your guests may not have much interest meeting other Ukrainians. That's fine! Also, there should be no expectation that any given Ukrainian will get along with any other Ukrainian. There are also some intra-Ukrainian tensions (as indeed there are in any country!)
Parent and Toddler Groups. These are existing groups, for your guests to meet other parents and children local to you.
Mondays 930am-11am, Cobden Hall, Heyshott GU29 0DJ. Please contact Ella Mae emlj.mill.lane@gmail.com for more information.
Mondays 930-11.30am, Rogate Village Hall, Rogate GU31 5BH. Please contact Mary-Anne maryanne.berendt@btinternet.com for more information.
Tuesdays 10am-12pm, Bersted Family Centre (1 Laburnum Grove, PO229HT). Run by Iryna, from Ukraine.
Language Learning
If your guests have very limited English and you have very limited Ukrainian, Google Translate is going to be a very helpful tool.
West Sussex County Council Providers
The Workers' Educational Association is offering online ESOL classes. There is usually a small fee, but WEA have said that it will be waived for Ukrainian refugees.
Chichester College offers free in-person ESOL courses for 16-18 year olds; there is a fee for the adult course (£694), but refugees are likely to be eligible for fee waivers. The campus in Worthing offers something similar (contact Lucia, 01903 275755 ext. 437).
Community-run In-person Classes/Groups
The Haslemere for Ukraine group is organising in-person English classes every Weds and Fri, 10am.
In Petworth, a group is offering in-person English classes, by appointment.
Shore Community Church in Bognor Regis runs informal English classes, Wednesdays 1.45pm-2.45pm.
Online
There are online English classes on offer to children (8-18), taught by university students. Sign up here.
RefuNet is a network of volunteer teachers for refugees, and come recommended by WSCC. There is a waiting list.
Translators for Ukraine are offering translation and interpretation services over the phone.
Of the online language courses, many have found Twinkl to be good.