Supporting Ukraine
We are deeply concerned about the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the threat that the conflict poses to civilians. We urge the UK government to provide humanitarian assistance and to do everything in its power to bring the conflict to an end and to protect the Ukrainian people.
We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and all those fleeing violence.
We understand that WI members will wish to do what they can to support the people of Ukraine at this time, and so this page sets out some actions you can take to help.
We will be updating this page with new ways to get involved, and if you have information you wish to be featured please email pa@nfwi.org.uk.
Fundraising guidance
The Disasters Emergency Committee (a group of 15 leading aid charities including the British Red Cross) who are working on the ground to support the people of Ukraine have stated that what is needed at the moment is financial donations rather than clothes or other items as needs are changing quickly.
As per the WI charitable constitution, WIs can only fundraise for charities that benefit the local community and therefore would not be able to collectively organise to raise funds, co-ordinate donating goods or anything of this nature to support Ukraine. Members are therefore not able to donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal as a WI or federation but are of course able to support as individuals if they wish.
To find more information on our fundraising guidelines for members, visit My WI. This guidance is so that those who may want to help as individuals have the resources to do so.
Taking action
Homes for Ukraine scheme
The Government has launched the Homes for Ukraine scheme which encourages people in the UK to offer a room in their home to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. More details can be found on the Homes for Ukraine website.
Share your language skills
If you have Ukrainian, Russian, or other language skills that could be of use to people fleeing the invasion and its attendant political crises in the coming weeks, please fill out this form to volunteer with Respond Crisis Translation.
Translators Without Borders, a well-established NGO is currently looking for volunteers. In particular, they need help from people with the knowledge of one of the following languages: Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Hungarian, Czech, Romanian, and German. Sign up here.
Donate goods or supplies
We recognise that members may want to support local appeals as individuals and take practical action, and so we have compiled a list of locations in the UK coordinating collections of clothing and other items to send to Ukraine or support refugees arriving in the UK. This is a quickly evolving situation and it is important that when supporting local appeals for goods you carefully check what is needed before giving donations.
If you know of a collection or activity in your area that you would like included on this page, please email us at pa@nfwi.org.uk so we can add it to the list.
What’s needed? Warm clothing, sleeping bags, blankets, first aid kids, hygiene products, children’s clothes and toys. Please check the details of your local collection point before donating.
The Polish Integration Centre (PISC) has announced several donation points and will be collecting items until Friday 4 March or Saturday 5 March.
Cheshire:
Macclesfield Ukraine Aid Collection Point. Drop off: Unit 2c, Sutton Mill, Gunco Lane, Macclesfield, SK11 7JL. Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/Macclesfield-Ukrainian-Aid-Collection-Point-101571875815519/?ref=page_internal
London:
White Eagle Club, 211 Balham High Road, SW17 7BQ
Krzysztof – 02086721723
Or
Woodford Baptist Church, 32 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1LW
Or
Twickenham Prosperity Ukrainian restaurant, find out what exactly is needed here.
Manchester:
Polish Club, Back East Street, Bury BL9 ORU
Or
Vilnius Polish Centre, Worsley Road, M30 8BL
Or
Bee House, Deansgate Locks, 2 Whitworth Street, Manchester, M1 5LH
Contact Alicja Popowicz for all Manchester drop off points – 07432113290
Liverpool:
Polish Merseyside, 254 County Road, Liverpool, L4 5PE
Bartosz Lisowski - 07919203069
Essex:
Frinton WI's hall, the McGrigor Hall, is being used by the local Rotary Club as a collection point.
It will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 am until 4.30pm. Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/FrintonOnSeaRotary/
Or
Witham United Reformed Church in Newland Street or Howbridge Junior School. Items needed include nappies, first aid kits, blankets, bedding, toiletries, inflatable mattresses, bandages, cleaning products. First shipment leaving on Thursday 3 March.
Hampshire:
St Mary’s Church, Amport Near Andover. Volunteers to help sort and pack are very welcome.
Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm.
Wrexham:
PISC CIC, Ty Avow, 21 Egerton Street, Wrexham LL11 1ND
Anna Buckley - 0752367826
Or
The Wrexham Enterprise Hub, 11-13 Rhosddu Road, Wrexham LL11 1AT
Pete Rogers - ask at reception.
Lancashire:
Tippy Toes Baby Bank, Preston, Lancashire
Sklep Polski Krakow shop on Bank Top in Blackburn
Or
Fleetwood Rotary is collecting donations of dried foods and toiletries in Fleetwood Aldi.
Tyne and Wear
Birtley Community Centre, Ravensworth Road, Birtley, DH3 1EN
- Feminine hygiene products & sanitary products
- Blankets
- Clothes
- Toiletries
- Baby items (nappies, clothes, etc)
- Books
- Tinned food/ food with shelf life
- Pet necessities
- Wipes
- Cleaning products
- Sweets & treats
Dorset:
This article in Dorset Live has listed all the locations in Dorset collecting items.
You can also visit the Help from Bournemouth to Ukraine Facebook page.