Shropshire Council

Ludlow Ukranian support group - latest

22 July 2022 Last updated at 05:10

Facebook group

We're delighted to let you know that we've started a Facebook group - Ludlow Refugee Support Group. The two main administrators for the account are Stefania (a host) and Olena (a local guest from Ukraine). Thanks to both of them for providing access to social media. Please join, as we're hoping this will be a really good way to get messages to hosts and guests about activities and all other information, and very importantly to make contact with one another. So please do sign in, post, and get involved.

English and conversation lessons

Lessons

Daytime English lessons continue to run at the Quakers Meeting House, St Marys Lane, Ludlow SY8 1DZ on:

  • Tuesday mornings – 10am–11:45am (three levels of classes)
  • Thursday afternoon - 1:30pm–3:15pm (three levels of classes)

Evening English lessons will be commencing on 20 July at the Quakers Meeting House at 6pm. We're aware that many guests have found or are looking for work, and this may have an impact on their ability to attend lessons during  the daytime. If this is the case, please contact Jacki to book your place: Jackiamoore@gmail.com or 07929 656545.

Assessments  (for potential new students)

Saturday 16 July, 3pm-5pm. Please can you contact Jacki Moore to book onto one of the sessions, unless you've already agreed this at a previous lesson. Jackiamoore@gmail.com or mobile 07929656545. If it's more convenient for you to change your lesson day please inform Jacki. Hosts, please can you remind your guests of this.

Conversation sessions

These will start on Saturday 16 July from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. We hope this is a more convenient time for  students, who can then stay for the afternoon social gathering from 3pm to 5pm. Although these sessions are aimed at more able English speakers, we may also be able to offer 1:1 support for students who require specific help with tasks such as writing a CV, applying for a job or other support which would be better suited to a 1:1. Just let us know if you want classes or 1:1 sessions.

Employment support

Shropshire Council's Enable team will be helping people to find employment, write CVs and application forms, understand the types of employment available locally etc. Our first session in Ludlow at the Quakers Meeting House will be at midday on Tuesday 26 July. Please attend if you're looking for a job. Hosts please pass this onto your guests.

Rail travel, buses and Co Wheels

  • Transport for Wales will give free travel on their trains which travel in Shropshire. The journeys can be within Shropshire, they don't have to start or finish in Wales. The refugees must be from Ukraine and show their passports and acceptance letters from the Home Office
  • Arriva (bus service) and community transport providers have agreed to provide free travel for Ukrainians fleeing the war. Passengers will be asked to produce their passport and boarding pass/card to access free travel
  • Co Wheels - if you need to book a car for an important journey, visit the Co Wheels website - this is a pay as you go rental scheme and is based in Ludlow and Shrewsbury

Social and support events

We have two free-of-charge family-friendly events in Ludlow based at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms – Oscars studio (1, Mill Street, Ludlow SY8 1AZ). The Assembly Rooms are right in the centre of Ludlow, opposite the market. Please bring your own snacks and water. There's a café on site, and also lots of places in the town to pick up sandwiches or a meal if required.

Two workshops followed up by a Brightstar boxing session for children aged 11+

Friday 5 August 10am-3pm - this is being delivered by the the Children’s Society. 

10am–midday - this session is aimed at guests, hosts and volunteers, and is a workshop aimed at raising awareness and understanding of the exploitation of refugees.

1pm-2pm - this session is aimed at young people and explores sensitively, issues around exploitation and youth safety.

2pm–3pm - a taster session delivered by Brightstar Boxing, a local Shropshire charity which will conduct a taster session for boxing and a fitness session for young people. This will be a fun event and it would be lovely to see as many people as possible.

Circus skills workshop

Saturday 6 August 1:30pm–3:30pm for ages 7–18, including learning skills such as juggling and using walking globes. This will be a really fun session for children and teenagers.

Picnic

Date for your diary – picnic planned for Saturday 13 August in the afternoon at a garden in Haytons Bent. Thank you to Bernie and David Lock for offering up their garden.

Please bring your own picnic and we'll supply the ice cream! Further details will be forwarded in due course, but please email or say on Facebook if you'd like to attend.

We may be able to provide some lifts to guests if transport is an issue. Please contact Peter Higgins: email peterhiggins4@gmail.com or mobile 07757989708

Craft activities for children during August (at the Quakers Meeting House)

One of our Ukrainian guests, Irina, has very kindly offered to deliver craft activities to children up to three days per week during the summer holidays, starting week beginning 1 August. Irina is very experienced at working with children, and will provide activities such as drawing, modelling, origami, gym, sports and board games. This will take place between 11am and 3pm, and children will need to bring a packed lunch and a drink. We'll try to help with transport if necessary. There will be further details on the Facebook group in the near future.

Please call Erica on 07974 001310 if you'd like to attend any of these activities.