Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine is an unprovoked, unjustifiable outrage, and across Manchester we stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people as they bravely resist the invasion. Our thoughts are also with those in our community with Ukrainian connections, for whom this will be an especially difficult time.

Many residents have contacted me expressing their desire to do something to help. There are a few ways that we can give our support locally:

Supporting local groups

The Ukrainian Cultural Centre ‘Dnipro’ Manchester is regularly updating its Facebook page with where people can drop off donations or support in other ways.

Stockport Ukrainian Club are currently collecting: foil survival blankets, toys, nappies, sanitary towels, crayons, towels, first aid kits, children’s clothes, sleeping bags, metal cups, thermal clothing, hairbrushes, shampoos, toothbrushes, bandages. The drop off point is:

• 185 Buxton Road, Stockport, United Kingdom, SK2 7AA
  Friday 4th March: 10am-2pm
  Monday 7th March – Friday 11th March: 10am-2pm

The Polish Integration Support Centre is coordinating ‘Polish-British Solidarity with Ukraine’ action. In support of Ukrainian refugees, they are collecting: thermal clothing, sleeping bags, pencils, toys, life blankets, blankets, patches, shampoos, blood bags, pharmacy, clothing (NEW) underpants, moisturizing scarves, metal cups. The Manchester drop off points are:

• Polish Club, Back East Street, Bury, BL9 0RU
  Monday-Friday 7:30pm-9:30pm, Alicja Popowicz 07432113290
• Vilnius Polish Centre, Worsley Road, Manchester, M30 8BL
  Monday 2:00pm-8:30pm, Tuesday 2:00pm-10:00pm, Wednesday – Friday 2:00pm-7:00pm, Alicja Popowicz 07432113290
• BeeHouse Deansgate Locks, 2 Whitworth Street M1 5LH, Manchester, Mon-Fri 12:00pm-10:00pm, Alicja Popowicz 07432113290

Donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee

The Disasters Emergency Committee brings together 15 leading UK aid charities, raising funds to quickly and effectively respond to overseas disasters.

They’ve launched an urgent appeal to help people fleeing conflict in Ukraine. The UK Government will match pound-for-pound up to £20 million donated by the public to this appeal. You can find out more and donate here.

Donate to Ukrainian charities

There are several Ukrainian charities working on the ground. Sunflower of Peace is a charity that helps paramedics and doctors, and has been fundraising for supplies, which includes first aid medical tactical backpacks.

United Help Ukraine focuses on providing medical supplies and humanitarian aid, and raising awareness of the conflict.

Voices of Children aims to help children affected by the war in eastern Ukraine, providing support through art therapy, psychologists, video storytelling and a number of other methods.

Government sponsorship scheme

The Government have announced that they plan to open a Ukrainian Sponsorship Humanitarian Visa Scheme. This will allow Ukrainians who do not have family ties with the UK to be matched with individuals, businesses, community organisations, or Local Authorities willing and able to act as a sponsor, providing with them a route to come to the UK.

Further information on this will be provided shortly by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. I will post links when this is announced.

This is separate to the Ukrainian Family Scheme which extends the provisions that allow family members of British nationals or other Ukrainians settled in the UK to come here. The Government have said that the family scheme will be operational from 4^th March 2022.

Solidarity

Following a number of demonstrations of support across the city over the last week, there will also be a ‘Manchester Stands with Ukraine’ vigil on Saturday 5^th March, 2-4pm in Piccadilly Gardens.