Information on Support for Ukraine.
Since the onset of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, constituents have contacted Darren asking for advice on how to best support Ukrainian. This page contains some of the ways that you can offer support through national and bristol-centric schemes.
Important note: If you are a constituent of Bristol North West family or loved ones in Ukraine and you need assistance, please contact Darren’s Office at darren.jones.mp@parliament.uk. Darren’s Office has a small team of dedicated caseworkers with experience in assisting in these circumstances, most recently following the capturing of Afghanistan by the Taliban in 2021.
Bristol Based Support:
Photo Credit: From Bristol With Love for Ukaine
Here are a list of support organisations based in Bristol that either provide assistance to refugees or send direct aid to Ukraine:
Westbury Welcome are an established Refugee support organisation based in Westbury-on-Trym in North West Bristol. In 2021, they supported refugees arriving to Bristol from Afghanistan. You can support this organisation by donating at their website. If you can also volunteer at the organisation, details here.
From Bristol With Love for Ukraine. This is a Bristol based campaign that sends supplies and support to Urkaine and is organised by Bristol Love Trust. This organisation has been around for over 7 years and sends aid all over the world from Bristol. They have recently sent their 3rd delivery to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion. You can donate and offer other support at their website here.
Bristol is a recognised City of Sanctuary and is part of a network of cities that are supported by the City of Sanctuary organisation. You can join as a member here.
The Bristol North West Foodbank have partnered with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to raise funds for Ukrainians that are seeking safety. This has included donating supplies and materials from the Homebank and organising fundraising events. The best way to support through this channel now is to donate directly to the DEC.
National Support Schemes
Photo: Darren signs Statement of Support with Ukraine
Here is information about the national schemes that support Ukraine, including Homes of Ukraine
The Homes for Ukraine scheme launched on March 18th 2022. The scheme allows for individuals and organisations to sponsor Ukrainians seeking refuge from the war. The scheme would allow Ukrainians to live and work in the UK for up to three years and access healthcare, schooling and welfare. To be a sponsor, you need to be able to provide accommodation for at least 6 months and be either a UK citizen or have been granted at least six months leave to remain in the UK.
The Red Cross are offering a dedicated Ukraine appeal. You can donate on their website here. This money will help people trying to leave Ukraine access water, food, medical supplies and more. The Red Cross are in Ukraine the moment teaching First Aid and distributing aid packages to over 7,000 people sheltering in Kyiv’s underground metro stations.
Darren’s work in Bristol and in Parliament.
On March 12th, Darren hosted a dedicated Cafe Politics to discuss the situation in Ukraine and answer questions about support for Ukraine and Russian sanctions. You can watch the entire live-stream of this event here. Thank you everyone that attended.
In Parliament, as well as supporting cross-party initiatives in relation to the invasion of Ukraine, Darren has taken additional actions. This has included using his specialist knowledge of the ongoing OneWeb program to urge the UK to pull out of join-Russian satellite launches. You can read about this here.
Darren has also taken evidence from experts as Chair of the Business Committee about the impact of Oil and Gas boycotts and sanctions on the Russian economy. You can watch a video of this exchange here.