*UPDATE 23/03/2022: New drop offs added and updates added to existing collections, some that have since paused or finished entirely.*
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine a mere 7 days ago, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees have reported that a total of 1 million displaced Ukrainians have fled their homes to seek refuge.
In the midst of this humanitarian disaster, you may be looking for ways to help support those affected. We have put together a summary of organisations and ongoing appeals in and around the BaNES area to help you with this, whether you are looking to drop off essential goods or make a monetary donation, or even get actively involved in a collection effort.
In addition to this, the Home Office announced it is rolling out the Homes for Ukraine programme which allows individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to offer accommodation to Ukrainian refugees for at least six months. You can record your interest as an individual or as an organisation or read more on the B&NES Council Website.
How to donate essential goods and supplies:
South Bristol: Bristol International Centre for Ukraine is hosting a new appeal, ‘From Bristol with Love’, in partnership with the Honorary General Consulate of Romania in Bristol.
They are communicating on a daily basis with their contacts in Ukraine and aim to collect and deliver ONLY what is needed. The list of needed items changes on a weekly basis therefore please refer to the latest list and bring along STRICTLY what is needed.
To their knowledge, they are the only initiative delivering aid directly into Ukraine and are now trying to establish a second corridor into the City of Odessa.
Last departure: 20/03/22. Next trip to deliver donations scheduled for next weekend 26/27th March, with a trailer and 2 transit vans.
They are accepting donations at 9 Willway Street, Bristol BS3 4BQ, Wednesday - Friday 5pm - 8pm, and Saturday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
You can find out more by contacting contact@bristollovetrust.uk, giving them a call on 07711 880233 or checking their website - http://www.bristollovetrust.uk/
If you are interested in volunteering to help with the sorting of donations/transport, please write to volunteers@bristollovetrust.uk to book a three hours session.
Keynsham: Indigo Kitchen in Keynsham is acting as a drop off point for donations excluding clothing. They are requesting medicine, food, baby and hygiene products. This is in conjunction with a Bristol-wide effort from the Polish community. You can find out which items are needed, and all their drop off points, and more here. Their Facebook post is kept updated regularly and they are taking donations at other locations such as the Big Yellow Self Store Bristol, (BS5 0AE) until at least Sunday 13th March.
UPDATE 23/03: To support Bristol's Polish community with their collection efforts, please see their Facebook group, 'Help from Bristol to Ukraine' or contact Eliska Vyskočova and Agnieszka Lompies, who are collecting car tools, military first aid including celox, tourniquets, medicine, flashlights, bandages, binoculars and gas heaters and dark backpacks for the army. Eliska Vyskočova has arranged a van departing Bristol on Monday 28th March to deliver directly inland to those stuck around the Vinnycja area.
Larkhall: A group of parents at St. Saviours Infant school in Larkhall have volunteered to transport donations to a collection point in Trowbridge, where they will then be transported to a Hostel in Zgierz and a Volunteer Centre in Lodz in Poland, and straight into the hands of Ukrainian refugees. Donations are requested before 18th March. Click here to find out more about which items they need most, and how to donate. UPDATE 23/03: St. Saviours Infant School are thankful for the overwhelming response and have currently PAUSED donations whilst they organise and transport the donations they currently have. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates.
Bradford-upon-Avon: Donations can be dropped off at Bradford-upon-Avon Town Council offices at St Margaret’s Hall. Open between 9am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Donations will be sent to Southeast Poland before being distributed to by Ukrainian volunteers. UPDATE 23/03: Bradford-upon-Avon Town Council have PAUSED their collection of donations following a recent successful delivery of 1,200kg of aid to Ukraine. Look out for updates on their Facebook page.
Bathwick: A local Polish family are arranging a private collection for essential goods and will embark on a trip to the Poland/Ukraine border on Friday 4th March. Women’s sanitary and toiletry products are needed most. They have set up a drop off point at Braeside, Sham Castle Lane for donations before Thursday evening. More info here UPDATE 23/03: Collection finished.
Emersons Green Village Hall Collection: A donation point has been set up at Emerson Green Village Hall. Currently, the volunteers are not collecting clothes or toys but have included a list of required items such as medical and first aid products, including painkillers, deodorant, razers and savlon; baby food, milk and assorted baby products; children's medication including calpol and sudacrem; dried and tinned food, including biscuits; thick sleeping bags/blankets and men's warm thermals, gloves and socks; batteries and torches; washing up products and bin bags. Click here to see the full list on their Facebook page, which is updated according to demand.
The local hall has been transformed into a collection point for items that will be used to help people fleeing war torn Ukraine. Two vans driven by volunteers left the hall on Tuesday, March 1st packed with food, clothing and medical supplies, with more scheduled. Their second van made it to it's destination yesterday, Tuesday 8th March.
After a temporary pause on collections, Emersons Green Village Hall are now accepting collections by Friday 11th March. They will keep their Facebook page updated regarding future donation times.
Emersons Green Village Hall will also accept donations of items from Aid to Ukraine's Amazon list, which you can order for delivery directly to the Village Hall. Click here.
Check their Facebook page for the latest updates. Opening hours depend on capacity- village hall’s Facebook page
UPDATE 23/03: Collection finished.
Westbury: A collection point at Daykin Estates, Westbury BA13 4FZ has been opened to take donations of warm items, children's clothes and nappies, to be sent to Ukrainian refugees arriving in Poland. Trips are scheduled every Monday to transport donations. They are open to accept donations Monday to Friday 8 am until 5 pm and Saturdays 9 am until 3pm. Click here for more info or check their Facebook page for updates.
UPDATE 23/03: Collection finished, fundraising and cash donations continuing.
Wiltshire: Several collection efforts are underway in nearby Chippenham, Bradford-upon-Avon, Trowbridge, Melksham and Devizes. Click here or here to find out more.
How to make a financial donation:
Several organisations have launched appeals in response to the Ukrainian Crisis, and are accepting monetary donations to help those affected. Organisations taking monetary donations over donations of supplies have said this is because of transportation costs; they can buy items cheaper nearer Ukraine and simultaneously support the local economy. There have also been suggestions that well-intentioned donations can cause extra work upon arrival, so a number of charities are encouraging monetary donations.
The Disaster Emergency Committee - A group of 15 major relief charities including Oxfam, the British Red Cross and Christian Aid have launched their official appeal, backed by the UK Government to match every pound donated. Click here to learn more and donate.
The Co-op are also supporting the DEC appeal by accepting donations of 50p, £1, £2 or £5 at tills inside all Co-op food stores.
The Red Cross: The Red Cross have launched their appeal in order to get humanitarian aid to those most in need, as quickly and directly as possible. For this reason they are appealing for moneetary donations, which will go towards the purchase of medication, food and warm items. Donations can be made via their website.
Closest Red Cross shop - 29 Moorland Rd, Bath BA2 3PW
Radstock & Midsomer Norton Lions: Lions clubs across the world are raising funds to send aid directly to respond to help refugees and displaced persons. Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions have made a donation to this fund and now there is a link on their website at www.rmnlions.org.uk where you can make a donation to help Ukrainian refugees and displaced persons if you wish. Lions take no administration costs from the donations collected so 100% of your gift will go to this crisis.
Save the Children: Save the Children are currently accepting donations for their Ukrainian Appeal as well as accepting clothing donations which can be sold to raise funds to provide the fastest and most effective support to those affected by distributing essential items like blankets and food to over 3.5 million vulnerable children caught up in the conflict.
Their nearest shop is located at 7 Walcot St, Bath BA1 5BN
To find out more about how you can donate visit the Save the children website.
Useful Resources to find out more
Bath Spa University have also compiled a list of charitable organisations with ongoing appeals for Ukrainians. Click here to read.
Read more inspiring stories of locals gathering together to raise humanitarian support and supplies for those uprooted and displaced by the conflict here.
For Bath residents, the Nextdoor site and app have been helpful at spreading the word about grassroot and informal appeals and schemes to gather donations or help in any way. It is worthwhile checking periodically if you are interested. Link here.
UK Fundraising has put together a list of registered national and international organisations providing support and seeking donations - link here
If you know of any other local efforts and collections not mentioned above, please let us know at contact@3sg.org.uk
We aim to keep this updated periodically and add additional details and donation opportunities should they arise.
*EDITED: 23/03/2022*