A huge welcome is being given across Rhondda Cynon Taf to all Ukrainian nationals that are currently based within its County Borough.
In a bid to make everything as easy as possible for Ukrainians and their hosts a new information portal has been created, which aims to pull together all the information that they may need and signpost to the relevant services within the correct County Borough. Please visit www.CTMUHB.NHS.Wales/UkraineSupport.
Over 170 Ukrainian nationals have now arrived in Rhondda Cynon Taf and are being supported by local services to help them settle in.
A number of these have already, successfully found a job and some have now moved into their own self-funded accommodation.
All of this has been made possible thanks to generosity of the people of Rhondda Cynon Taf, who have come forward and opened their homes to help the Ukrainian people fleeing conflict in the Ukraine.
The support that the families in our County Borough are giving is already saving lives as one mum and her daughter can testify.
Following their arrival at their hosts, under the Homes for Ukraine’s scheme, the daughter fell ill with an excruciating stomach pain – which turned out to be appendicitis. The condition was so severe that urgent medical care via Cwm Taf Morgannwg’s University Health Board was required. Happily, she has made a full recovery. The contact established with the Council led her to seek ongoing support from Council services, available to all RCT residents, and, thanks to the support both mum and daughter are now working, studying and exploring all that we have on offer in the County Borough and beyond. This has made a huge difference to this family, but they still miss the home and the loved ones that they left behind.
In their recent annual, Cwmbach Male Voice Choir along with local schools helped to welcome Ukraine visitors from across the County Borough, by singing songs of hope and even learning some traditional Ukrainian anthems – a very warm welcome, from the valley of song, in the most traditional Welsh way.
Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, said:
“My heart breaks when I think of the awful situation that is still very much on-going in the Ukraine. I would urge anyone who can come forward to help, to please do so.
“As a Council we stand with the people of Ukraine, and we will continue to help those that arrive in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The community spirit in this County Borough has been tested time and again over the last few years and I know that everyone will once again pull together to give Ukrainians a warm welcome.
“We have extended the Homes for Ukraine support offer of £200 for each Ukrainian national arriving in RCT. In addition, we are providing free Leisure for Life membership for 6 months to all Ukrainian arrivals under the Homes For Ukraine, Welsh Government Super sponsor or Family Visa route. – we believe that they should be given the same help no matter what.”
As a Council, our public services are available to Ukrainian nationals and their hosts to help them settle in as quickly as possible. The services are no different to those that every resident of our County Borough can access – from a school place to support to help secure employment, and from accessing a community group to volunteering to help in our communities.
Wellbeing assessment officers are there to help them transition into the Rhondda Cynon Taf communities. The assessments record individual and family strengths and needs, including hobbies, aspirations, and future plans, and also identifies actions that are required to support the family/individual further.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board are also working in partnership with neighbouring Councils to ensure that all Ukrainian nationals have full access to the healthcare services that they need, when they need it.
Information for anyone staying within Rhondda Cynon Taf and their hosts can be found at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/UkraineSupport or by calling the dedicated helpline 01443 425020 or email UkraineSupport@rctcbc.gov.uk.
Posted on 10/08/2022