By Eleanor Holdsworth

THERE’S a virtual meeting on Wednesday evening (23rd March 2022) for anyone who wants to find out more about helping refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The meeting held by Warwickshire County Council at 7pm on Microsoft Teams is for anyone from the community, voluntary and faith sectors interested in helping out.

Rugby Borough Council and the other parts of Warwickshire County Council are working to prepare a welcome for the first Ukrainian refugees to arrive in the county.

Wednesday’s session will be chaired by Cllr Izzi Seccombe (Leader of Warwickshire County Council), supported by Cllr Heather Timms (Portfolio holder for Environment, Climate and Culture), and Rob Powell, Warwickshire County Council’s Strategic Director for Resources.

The council wrote: “Warwickshire County Council would like to invite you to this meeting to set out Warwickshire’s plans for the best possible response, updating you on the latest developments and seeking your views and ideas about how the voluntary sector and faith groups can support the countywide effort, and answer any questions you may have, as best as we can, about how we can best work together for the benefit of the refugee families. We hope the session will clarify a number of questions and help us support the voluntary and community sector, and our faith groups, and will form part of an ongoing conversation.”

As of 20th March, 3,489,644 people had fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began, according to the UN.

A new Government scheme called ‘Homes for Ukraine’ means that people in the UK can now sign up to host a Ukrainian refugee in their home.

Warwickshire County Council added: “Our voluntary and community sector organisations, Town & Parish Councils, and faith groups from across the whole county have the capacity to make an enormous and positive contribution to supporting Ukrainian refugee families, and we have been overwhelmed by the kindness of the offers and support already pledged.”

Join the Microsoft Teams meeting on your computer or mobile app

Call in (audio only): +44 20 3321 5213,,229695419#   United Kingdom, London (Phone Conference ID: 229 695 419#)

Anyone planning to attend should email Mike Slemensek on mikeslemensek@warwickshire.gov.uk