The district has become home to nearly 200 Ukrainian individuals and families who have been supported to settle here after fleeing conflict.
Since 2022, Newark and Sherwood District Council has so far assisted 181 individuals or families into hosted placements, and continues to offer help during the ongoing conflict.
Four more are expected to arrive in the district soon — and since the council’s humanitarian response began it has developed an improved system to help people settle in in the area.
Suzanne Shead, director of housing, health and wellbeing at Newark and Sherwood District Council said: “At the district council we are absolutely committed to the continued support of the Ukrainian community and those who are fleeing the conflict and wish to settle in Newark and Sherwood. We are very proud to have supported 181 individuals and families so far with four more on the way to us soon.
“Since 2022 we have helped our new residents settle in the community, set up recruitment fairs to help them find work and hosted social events celebrating Ukrainian culture and help families to make connections. It has been a privilege to help these individuals and families find safety in the district and to live their lives away from the ongoing conflict.
“I also want to extend a huge thank you to our hosts who have opened their homes, selflessly, to help support people in very difficult circumstances to feel welcome and safe in our district.”
Initially, help was given via the district council’s community engagement team, but as time passed and it became clear assistance was required longer term the council created a resettlement team, responsible for all resettlement in the district.
The team consists of a resettlement coordinator, who organises all elements of the council’s resettlement programme and two tenancy support workers who assess and approve the host placements, work alongside hosts and families with support, advice and assistance during their stay and work to secure alternative hosts or housing where necessary.
