When war erupted in Ukraine in March 2022, South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) and its local community stepped up in an extraordinary show of kindness. Through the government’s Homes for Ukraine (HfU) scheme, nearly 1,000 Ukrainian guests have been welcomed into the district, hosted by 490 generous households—one of the highest figures for a local authority of its size.
“Opening your home to someone fleeing war is an extraordinary act of generosity,” said Cllr John Batchelor, Lead Cabinet Member for Housing. “We are proud to have supported hosts and guests every step of the way, from settling in to helping families move into independent accommodation.”
A Community That Comes Together
From the start, the response was fast and heartfelt. Council teams worked across departments to coordinate support, while local volunteer groups like Open Arms in Shelford & Stapleford, Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign, and Cottenham4Ukraine stepped in to provide bikes, laptops, bus passes, and English lessons.
“Volunteers were the heart of this programme,” said a council spokesperson. “They helped guests feel at home, while our staff focused on the more complex housing and welfare needs.”
Moving On and Building Independence
Many families wanted to live independently, and SCDC’s Moving On Team guided them every step of the way. Multilingual staff—and even some Ukrainian guests themselves—helped families find private rentals or social housing, set up utilities, and register for benefits. Bilingual information packs and video guides in Ukrainian made the transition smoother.
Over 100 families received one-to-one support, helping them gain confidence and settle into their new lives.
Creative Solutions to Housing Challenges
The council purchased 85 properties through the Local Authority Housing Fund, 16 of which currently house Ukrainian families. These homes will eventually boost South Cambridgeshire’s social housing stock.
Practical support included rent deposits, furniture packages, and a Landlord Incentive Scheme. Employment support, English classes, and a Ukrainian-speaking Tenancy Support Officer ensured families could thrive independently.
Adapting and Supporting Wellbeing
When national policies changed, SCDC adapted. The introduction of the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme brought new immigration guidance, with the council working closely with the Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum to help families navigate applications.
Wellbeing was also a priority. Free bikes and bus passes encouraged green travel, recycled laptops and electronics eased integration, and mental health support—from therapy to children’s wellbeing activities—helped families recover from trauma.
Stories of Success
By November 2025, 417 groups had moved into independent homes or returned to Ukraine. Children joined summer camps, made new friends, and discovered sports and hobbies. Adults found jobs and became part of the local workforce, while local businesses benefited from their skills.
Families have also engaged in cultural and educational programmes through the Cambridge Ukrainian School, ensuring young people maintain links to their heritage while thriving in a new country.
A Model of Compassion
South Cambridgeshire’s Homes for Ukraine scheme has set a powerful example of what communities can achieve together:
- Nearly 1,000 Ukrainians welcomed, thanks to local hosts.
- 416 families supported to move into their own accommodation.
- A Ukrainian-speaking Tenancy Support Officer assisting over 100 families with bills, utilities, and local registrations.
- Practical support including employment guidance, English lessons, and tenancy workshops, backed by local volunteers.
- Community integration strengthened through recycled laptops, bikes, and funding for mental health and children’s activities.
“Right from the start, we focused on providing the best possible support to guests and hosts,” said Cllr Batchelor. “Hundreds of home visits, safety checks, and new processes allowed families to move on confidently into independent living.”
South Cambridgeshire has shown that even in times of crisis, generosity, community spirit, and determination can transform lives..
