Bin collection calendar for the year ahead – page 3
Ways to connect to energy-saving grants – page 17
Who would you champion within your community? – back page
NEWS NK
The newspaper for all North Kesteven residents
SUMMER / AUTUMN 2022
Shaping a heartfelt welcome for Ukrainian guests A window on the world. See page 11 for ways you too can express A Big Lincolnshire Welcome. Alongside residents, community groups and partner agencies, North Kesteven District Council is working hard to ensure guests arriving from Ukraine receive a warm and supportive welcome. Operating at the heart of the Lincolnshire Resettlement Partnership, various service areas are committed to a range of responses in welcoming to the area refugees displaced by war. In response to Government’s Homes for Ukraine programme, 3,200 households across Lincolnshire have so far offered up accommodation for a minimum of six months. In supporting them through the process, ensuring their homes are safe and suitable for the incoming guests and that security checks are carried out on both sides, District Council officers are visiting all potential hosts’ homes. Teams working in housing needs, environmental protection, private housing, Wellbeing Lincs, benefits processing and communications are also involved in providing checks, advice and guidance.
www.n-kesteven.gov.uk
More broadly there are inputs from education, health, community support, fire and rescue, police and social care partners, plus voluntary and charitable agencies. In similar ways, the Council has also been at the heart of a coordinated response supporting people arriving from Syria and Afghanistan in recent months and years. Council Leader Cllr Richard Wright said: “Alongside the generosity shown by many residents, the District Council is honoured to be playing such a central role in providing for, protecting and promoting the needs of the arriving guests. “Together we are doing everything we can to ensure both hosts and guests are given all the help and support they need. “As we move beyond 500 Ukrainian arrivals across the county, I thank everyone who has opened their hearts and homes already, expressing A Big Lincolnshire Welcome with characteristic warmth and generosity,” he said.
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Support shop HURLnet, a county-wide network of Ukrainian host families, is setting up a shop in Sleaford to facilitate the exchange, donation and collection of useful items, clothes, toys and more for arrivals. > Follow our news updates for more information.
Support appeal Through the Linconshire Community Foundation there is an appeal for financial contributions to help arriving guests in their resettlement. > See page 11 for details.
Support routes If any community groups are looking to support Ukrainians in any way, let us know. > Email emily.ward@lvet.org
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