Ukrainian Children's Ensemble Vinochok
The Ukrainian Children Ensemble is called "Vinochok", meaning garland. We are a small group set up in January 2024 to enable children to...
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Our Latest News and Stories
Help for Ukranians
One Year on
Bargain Bikes
We have had a rush of donations of bikes, and we found an awesome company called Bargain Bikes in Stirchley, Birmingham, who refurbish old bikes. After speaking with Ali, he was very enthusiastic and said he was with the team to help get the bikes out to refugees and local community people that that need them.
Listen to our founder, Simone, as she discusses this on the radio this past December.
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WHAT OUR HOSTS SAY
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WHO WE ARE
A team, established in the Spring of 2022 in the face of the humanitarian crisis, we have enabled hundreds of Ukrainians of all ages to come and find shelter in our fantastic, welcoming City.
Whether you are needing to escape Ukraine, looking to be rematched or wish to consider hosting, we can help.
Our team help with every part of the process, from introductory pairing call, to the video matching, and rematching, with full support of translators in those calls and throughout the online VISA process.
Once arrived, our expertise of local integration and settlement support includes:
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School, nursery & Uni places
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Accessing State benefits
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opening bank accounts & NINO
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getting phones & SIM Cards
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Job guidance
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accessing trauma counselling & wellbeing support
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enabling free bus transport
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gifting bicycles.
We are a key link between hosts & Ukrainian guests & Birmingham City Council together with Refugee & Migrant Centre & Spring Housing Association.
Our team have featured in National & local TV, newspapers and Radio.
A WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER, SIMONE SCHEHTMAN
Everything is possible!
Simone started pairing and matching in late March 2022 and has since helped over 410 Ukrainians find safe shelter in our warm and welcoming City of Sanctuary, Birmingham., as well as across the Wider West Midlands.
With extensive networks in every part of The City - we are helping with school places, move-on housing, emotional support, befriending, jobs, qualification conversions, English Language/ESOL courses, support for hobbies and activities - from sports to dance, music to yoga. We can guide on all areas.
MEET THE TEAM
Translator
Marina Aghdassi
I am originally from Kiev in Ukraine, have been living in Birmingham UK for 15 years with family. I am a qualified and experienced Translator & Interpreter in Russian & Ukrainian.
I have been on hundreds of pairing and matching calls since March 2022 to help bring families and individuals fleeing war to Birmingham.
Interpreter and Translator
Liudmyla Sadova
Pairer/matching bilingual interpreter and translator. Homes4Ukraine visa support coordinator.
Liudmyla is Ukrainian who is local to Birmingham.
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