CamRuSS for Ukrainians

Support for Ukrainian refugees

With the help of our volunteers, local community, organisations and local government we deliver a range of activities to support Ukrainian guests and their hosts, including running free English language and cultural adaptation sessions. Here we share information on current events and initiatives run by us and our partners in Cambridge and surrounding areas.

For Ukrainians: please visit this page for regular updates, or fill out this form to receive them via email.

If you would like to volunteer with our Ukraine response working group, please complete this form.

For any queries or offers of help, please email camruss4ukraine@gmail.com

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HELPLINE: 05603 025975 (09:00-18:00 Monday – Friday, 10:00-17:00 Saturday)

Our Helpline aims to facilitate communication between Ukrainian refugees and their host families by providing a translation service (Russian, English and Ukrainian). Please view the information leaflet here. Please leave a voice message and our volunteers will respond within an hour the same day to discuss how to get the help you need.

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HIGHLIGHTS

You can find the recording of the meeting “The higher education system in the United Kingdom and the process of applying to British universities” from 23 May 2023, by following this link.

On June 22, a 12-week yoga and creative arts group for refugee women from Ukraine will begin. You can find more details in the brochure. To join, please email us at admin@refugeecouncil.org.uk .

If you want to start your own business or become self-employed in the UK and learn all the nuances of taxation and legislation for successful business establishment and operation, hurry up and sign up for the online course “Introduction to Self Employment” starting on June 20th. The classes will take place on Tuesdays at 10 am on Zoom. Ukrainian translation will be available during the course. The course is organized by WEA in partnership with CECF. To enroll in the course, enter the code Q00009046 on the website or call 0300 303 34 64. Details can be found in the leaflet.

As part of the Master’s program in Global Public Health, students from Newcastle University are inviting women who have come from Ukraine due to the war to participate in a study aimed at improving gynecological care in the country. The researchers plan to analyze the experiences of women who have recently arrived from Ukraine in their interactions with the healthcare system, and discuss their health and needs. As a token of appreciation for participating in the study, an Amazon gift certificate worth £25 will be provided. Details can be found in the leaflet and document.

Join for “Efficient job search and financial awareness at the workplace”, June 14, 2023, 5 pm – 8 pm online. A step-by-step guide into employability and financial awareness at the workplace. Participation is free of charge. Language – Ukrainian, duration – 3 hours. Every participant gets a £25 shopping voucher as a bonus for attending. To book email: yuliakurienkova@runwaytraining.co.uk

Join for “Effective Family Budgeting”, June 7, 2023, 5 pm – 8 pm online. Essential tools and tips on how to gain control over your monthly expenses and start moving towards your goals. Participation is free of charge. Language – Ukrainian, duration – 3 hours. Every participant gets a £25 shopping voucher as a bonus for attending. To book email: yuliakurienkova@runwaytraining.co.uk

WEA, in collaboration with the Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum, is offering a five-week in-person employment course in the United Kingdom. The course will take place from June 21 to July 26, from 11:00 am to 1:15 pm at St. Andrews Street Baptist Church. During the course, you will learn how to write resumes, practice job interviews, and gain insights into what local employers look for in candidates. An introductory session will be held on June 14 at 11:00 am at St. Andrews Street Baptist Church, 43 St Andrews Street, CB2 3AR. Registration is available on the website or by calling 0300 303 34 64. Limited spaces are available. (alla@cecf.co.uk). Posters are available in English and Ukrainian.

ESOL Classes for Ukrainians in Cambridge. There are still places available in pre-intermediate and upper-intermediate level groups for English language courses organised by CamRuSS with the support of SCDC. Classes are held during the day (11:00 am – 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm) on Mondays and Thursdays at St. Andrews Street Baptist Church. If the time and location suit you, please fill out the form.

The Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum provides assistance and support to Ukrainians living in Cambridgeshire. If you have any questions or problems regarding housing, employment, English language courses, access to humanitarian aid, benefits, or simply need advice, please contact us (in English, Ukrainian, or Russian) at alla@cecf.co.uk. CECF: 16-18 Arbury Court, Cambridge, CB4 2JQ; Tel: (01223) 655241.

On 23 May we held an information meeting “The higher education system in the United Kingdom and the process of applying to British universities”, please see the presentations and useful links below:

On 19 April we held an information meeting on Housing for Ukrainians, please see the presentations below:

On 16 March we held an online meeting with Attorney Anton Koval, head of the Legal Center. We are planning another session with Anton in June, details to follow. Please see below some useful links shared at the meeting:

Allia Business Support Programme for Ukrainians in March-May: join free workshops for Ukrainians wanting to start or grow a business here in the UK. At each event there will be local business leaders and entrepreneurs who will act as mentors for delegates. To register, please email Neil Prem. Space is strictly limited at each event, and we expect demand to be high and as such would encourage people to register as quickly as possible. Find out more here.

We are looking for volunteers to help us with coordinating language skills testing and directing students to their classes at St Andrew’s Street Baptist Church. Please consider supporting this worthy community project and spare one hour of your time per week assisting with ensuring smooth operation of this project. No special skills are required apart from a friendly approach and desire to help our students. Please get in touch with Alla Victorova. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES

 English Language and Cultural Adaptation

  • Please join free English language conversation group meetings led by native English speakers. See the list of venue and times below:
    – every other Thursday at 16:30 (starting from 9 February) meet Dick at Caffè Nero (second floor), 11 Market Street, Cambridge CB2 3PA
    – Mondays and Thursdays at 13:00. The meeting is hosted by George at The Vestry, St. Andrew’s Street Baptist Church, St Anrew’s Street, Cambridge CB2 3AR
    No need to pre-book, just turn up. For questions please contact Tatyana Yurasova.
  • Free guided tours of Cambridge offered by Tanya Yurasova for newly arrived Ukrainians (for others there is a charge of £15 per person). Call or text Tanya on 07815 101481 or check for updates at Tangential Cambridge.
  • Free evening English speaking sessions offered by Cambridge English Language Society in Arbury, Cambridge CB4 2LD. Sign up online here. Call 07773 877658 or email secretary@c-els.org.uk for more information.
  • Ukrainian language classes at St Andrew’s Street Baptist Church, Cambridge CB2 3AR. Contact Irina Tsepova: irvik59zepova@gmail.com

Networking and community

  • The Cambridge Botanic Gardens is offering one-time free tickets to Ukrainians who moved to the UK due to the start of the war and now live in the city of Cambridge. Please note that tickets are only required for visitors over 16 years of age. Admission to the Botanical Garden is free for the under 16 years old. You can apply for free tickets here.
  • Telegram channel and chat Cambs4UA – useful information and practical advice from local residents for newcomers to Cambridgeshire.
  • St Andrew’s Baptist Church welcomes you every Friday from 13:00 to 15:00 for tea and dessert. This is a great opportunity to meet new friends and speak Ukrainian and English.
  • On weekdays St. Andrew’s Baptist Church is pleased to offer its premises for community events, meetings, birthday parties, etc. For details, please contact Eileen, church manager, on Whatsapp 07807914746.
  • Andy’s Café is a great place to meet new people, discover other cultures and chat in English. The cafe is open every evening from Monday to Thursday in the upper hall (Upper Hall) St Andrew’s Street Baptist Church (Stoneyard Centre) from 20:00 to 22:30. The English club meets on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 16:00 to 17:30. The entrance is free. Everyone is welcome
  • Meet-ups for Ukrainian guests every Saturday at 12:00 at Downing Place United Reformed Church (Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EL) run by Cambridge4Ukraine initiative in collaboration with Cambridge University Ukrainian Society. Follow their website for latest local events in support of Ukraine.
  • One of our volunteer English language teachers, Jean Jones, who is a retired teacher of mathematics and physics with a TEFL qualification, would like to offer maths tutoring to children who need help with their school work. Contact Jean by email: jjonescambs@hotmail.com Phone: 07810870710
  • Nataliia, one of our Ukrainian guests, is a qualified teacher seeking work as a nanny in a Russian- or Ukrainian-speaking family. Contact Nataliia by phone (Telegram, WhatsApp): 07867075941.

Support for Local Hosts and Ukrainians

  • Cambridge4Ukraine is an initiative founded by Ukrainians in Cambridge to assist local hosts who wish to sponsor Ukrainians under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Click here to express your willingness to become a host.
  • Mosty-Movy is a UK-wide network of volunteer Ukrainian and Russian speakers offering to help refugees and their hosts to build bridges across the language barrier and make friends

Employment and Career Advice

  • WEA (Workers’ Educational Association) have set up two online courses especially for English language learners to help them settle in in the UK and prepare them to find a job. If you are interested in the courses below, please register online for Welcome to the UK (C2229132).and Supporting Employment Opportunities for ESOL Learners (C2229133).
  • British specialists are offering assistance to Ukrainians to find work in their profession. Please send your CV to ukprofessionalsforukraine@gmail.com. Please include the following information in your email: a brief presentation and a link to your LinkedIn profile; the kind of work you are looking for (area of expertise and location); visa status; level of English. Please attach your CV in PDF format.
  • Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign (CRRC) partnered with Laptops 4 Learning to provide IT equipment to those in Cambridgeshire who have fled the war in Ukraine. Please complete the form here, if you need support.
  • Jesus College shared vacancies in the service sector: Catering Assistant (in English; in Ukrainian); Housekeeping Assistant (in English; in Ukrainian).
  • Jobs at Homerton College can be found here. Please contact Aleksandra Kucharska: ak2262@homerton.cam.ac.uk
  • The House Plant Store in Cambridge is seeking a responsible, careful salesperson who loves and cares for plants. Minimum knowledge of English is required and a work permit. Employment from 16 to 30 hours per week on weekdays and weekends. Please contact Elena at +44 7547 696053, plants@cambridgebee.com
  • Jobs at Scott’s Cafe – please follow the link or email: camruss4ukraine@gmail.com

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