Welcoming Ukrainian Refugees: the Bristol Situation & Response

(Photo Credit: LoveBristol at the Polish-Ukrainian border)

BRISTOL WELCOMING UKRAINIAN REFUGEES

Over 700 Ukrainians have arrived in Bristol since the start of the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme in March 2022 responding to the War in Ukraine.

As a response, Bristol City Council have joined efforts with Christian Action Bristol, Bristol churches and the Good Faith Partnership to create a network of Welcome Hubs.

A Welcome Hub is a community which:

  • Supports Ukrainian refugees by providing food, community, and resettlement support through a weekly rhythm of daytime and evening activities in a community space.

  • Supports refugee hosts in Bristol by complementing their activities and helping them prepare for the hosting role in advance.

  • Partners with Bristol City Council to provide physical space for them to bring in expert resettlement help for refugees.

  • Is open to all refugees and hosts, irrespective of ethnicity, gender, or faith.

UKRAINE WELCOME HUBS IN BRISTOL (from Jan 2024) 


MEALS 

Hope Community Church Hub, Hope Chapel Hill, Hotwells, Bristol, BS8 4ND (link opens in Google Maps)

B&A Church, 279 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 8NY (link opens in Google Maps)

  • Community meal every Tuesday evening, 6 - 8pm. Around 25 - 35 guests, all ages. Lots of space for children to play. Bread from the local bakery is available to take home for free - as well as free cakes and pastries most weeks. 

  • Occasional Thursdays, contact hub for details. Coffee on Thursday morning, 10.30 - 11.30am 

  • Email: ukrainehub@babristol.org


Holy Trinity Stapleton Hub, Parish Hall, Stapleton, Bristol, BS16 1AZ (link opens in Google Maps)

ENGLISH LESSONS 

Bristol Cathedral Hub, City Centre, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TJ (link opens in Google Maps)

Westbury-on-Trym Hub, Westbury Methodist Church, Westbury Hill, Westbury-on-Trym, BS9 3AA (link opens in Google Maps)

Fishponds Baptist Church, Downend Rd, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 5AS (link opens in Google Maps)

  • English lessons Wednesday mornings, ESOL, basic level 1 

  • Followed by a Ukraine hub lunch and refreshments, drop-in, Wednesday at 12pm/noon 

  • Email: office@fbcbristol.org.uk

Vineyard Hub, Totterdown Methodist Church, Winton St, Totterdown, Bristol, BS4 2AD (link opens in Google Maps)

  • Drop-in, beginners level 1, term-time only, Friday 10am – 11.30am

  • We also have laptops available and can help with job searches, job applications, CV writing, form filling etc. 

  • Our storehouse is open at the same time for free clothes, baby equipment and some household items. 

  • Email: rebecca.kishtainy@severnvineyard.org


DURING THE DAYTIME

Christ Church Clifton, Clifton Down Rd, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3BN (link opens in Google Maps)

CONVERSATION + KIDS

Redland Church Hub, Redland Green Rd, Redland, Bristol, BS6 7ER (link opens in Google Maps)

WEEKENDS

St Andrew’s Church, Avonmouth Rd, Avonmouth, Bristol, BS11 9EN (link opens in Google Maps)

  • Termly.

  • 23rd March 10.30-1 Easter Party 

  • 13th July 10.30-1 Summer Party 

  • Events including crafts, games, free items to take away, Cakes, drinks and a hot lunch. 

  • Email: office@bristolnwfoodbank.org.uk

Victoria Park Baptist & Woodies Southside Church Hub, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 5DA (link opens in Google Maps)



PLUS… 

Mowcroft Methodist Hall, Hartcliffe, Bristol, BS13 0LT (link opens in Google Maps)

  • Fortnightly (see dates below) from 4 - 6pm 

  • 6th, 20th February 

  • 5th, 19th March 

  • 16th, 30th April 



UKRAINE WELCOME HUBS IN NAILSEA/BACKWELL (from Jan 2024) 

Nailsea Churches Hub (Nailsea/Backwell), Methodist Church, Silver Street, Nailsea, BS48 2DS (link opens in Google Maps)

  • ESOL lessons - Wednesday 10am – 12pm, term time. 

  • Contact the hub for details of events. 

  • Nailsea Folk Group ‘Tea and Chat’ afternoon in Trinity Centre at Holy Trinity, Nailsea, BS48 4NG on the third Sunday of each month at 2pm – 4pm. For Ukrainians to meet and chat. 

  • Coffee Morning once a month (first Monday) 10.30am to noon, St Francis, Ash HayesRd, BS48 2LP.

  • Email: nailseaandbackwellhub@outlook.com


IF YOU ARE A HOST

If you are a host, the Bristol City Council Refugee Resettlement Team will inform you of your local Hub and its activities. They can be contacted at  homesforukraine@bristol.gov.uk. You can also contact your local Hub directly (see emails above).

Here are some resources to help with your journey.

REFUGEE WELCOME HOMES (funded by Bristol City Council) offers one-to-one guidance and support for hosts on all aspects of hosting including intercultural communication, managing conflict and how to support your guest into move-on accommodation. You can contact them on their website: https://www.refugeewelcomehomes.net

ESOL (English) LESSONS are provided at Welcome Hubs (email the Hubs using the email addresses above for the latest lesson times) and other English lessons across Bristol can be found at https://leb.community/

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT is available through the Council’s One Front Door website which uses a triage form to signpost refugees to the most appropriate support service for them. Refugees can self-refer or you can refer them using the form at https://onefrontdoor.org.uk/

COUNTRY NAVIGATOR is a website to help sponsors increase their cultural awareness and includes videos from Dan Green of Bridges for Communities in Bristol.

THE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION has a list of resources to help prepare for hosting babies and children. They are also supporting potential sponsors, and assisting the government in the roll-out of the ‘Homes For Ukraine’ scheme.

If there are any issues with hosting further down the line, know that there will be resources available to help you manage potential conflict and challenges - the Welcome Hubs and Bristol Mediation are one of these.


IF YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER AT A HUB

  • If you are linked with a church that is interested in becoming a Welcome Hub, make sure to talk to the designated Hub contact person if you would like to volunteer. There may be a wide range of opportunities to offer help: from talking and building relationships, to helping with practical queries, or bringing food to share at Hub events.


If you are bilingual or can help with translation, we'd love to hear from you. If interested, please email: joseph.davies@goodfaith.org.uk

There are many different groups across the city working with a wide range of refugees and displaced people. Find out more about some of that work on our Refugee & Asylum Support page.