Family Health and Wellbeing
The NHS is the UK’s government funded national medical and health care service that everyone can use without being asked to pay the cost of the service. The NHS offers a range of services such as GP, hospitals, prescriptions and pharmacy.
A GP is a Family Doctor. Click here for information on how to register and what to expect from your first visit.
Please contact your GP. Maternity services cover care from the beginning of pregnancy through to sign off by a midwife: this is usually around 10 days after the birth but can be up to 6 weeks postnatally. Midwives ensure that personalised care is provided throughout pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. Much of this care will be provided directly by midwives, who will also coordinate the provision of obstetric or other medical involvement if necessary.
You are entitled to NHS dental care. If your tooth is painful, you should call NHS 111 for Urgent Dental Care Services. You can search for local dentists by typing in your postcode, then ask to register for an appointment. NHS dentistry is only free by exemption (for example, if you are aged under 18 or in receipt of low-income benefits). Costs for dental appointments depend on what treatment you are having.
You are eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccination through the NHS. If you are registered with a GP, you can book your vaccination if you are in England.
It is advisable to book an appointment with your GP in the first instance. Talking Space is the NHS Mental Health service your GP may refer you to, or you can contact Talking Space.
Refugee Resource, an Oxford based charity, offers therapeutic support to those aged 12 or more who are adjusting to life in the UK and are experiencing emotional distress. Click here for more information and to make a referral online.
Oxfordshire Mind is a local mental health charity. They hold various face to face and online training courses/workshops/support groups/peer support.
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust offers some advice on wellbeing for you and your family as well as signposting to other organisations.
Sane Ukraine provides daily online trauma and resilience support sessions. Sessions are held on zoom every day at 5:30pm GMT led by experienced therapists and trauma coaches with Ukrainian translation.
For children, mental health support may well come from their school, so getting children into schools once they have arrived is of utmost importance. It is advisable to book an appointment with your child’s GP, especially if it is in the school holidays.
The Centre of Excellence in Child Trauma has produced a free resource written in Ukrainian, Russian and English. The resource explains the effects of trauma (directly related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine), how to recognise it and what families can do.
Bear Us In Mind’ is a creative, thoughtful, crucial resource that gives parents and supporting community members tools and activities to help children explore their feelings of loss in these disorienting times. https://www.bearusinmind.org.uk/
Relax Kids helps to support children and families in times of crisis, Ukraine – Relax Kids – Official Website.
Thrive LDN has developed guidance, training and resources to support the mental health and wellbeing of displaced Ukrainians.
Solace is a charity that provides psychotherapy to refugees and asylum seekers across Yorkshire and the Humber regions. They offer free online learning on refugee and asylum seeker mental health.
If you feel that your safety or the safety of anyone in your party is at immediate risk, then you should contact the emergency services by calling 999 or 112. This number covers emergency police, fire and health. There is also information on emergency care services here.
Information for Ukrainians
Upon arrival, two safety checks will have been carried out to ensure the people you are staying with and the accommodation you will be living in is safe. If there are vulnerable adults or children in your group, the checks we do will be more in depth for added security.
If you have any immediate concerns for your safety or anyone else in your party, please call 0345 050 7666. Please see Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board and Oxfordshire Safeguarding Childrens Board for more information.
If you have concerns or worries that are troubling you, but do not present an immediate threat to your safety, you should contact your local council, who will be able to advise you further.
For Hosts
If you have any immediate concerns for your safety or that of your guests, please call 0345 050 7666. Please see Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board and Oxfordshire Safeguarding Childrens Board for more information.
If you have concerns or worries that are troubling you, but do not present an immediate threat to your safety, contact your local council, who will be able to advise you further.
Modern slavery can affect people of all ages, gender and races and includes a range of different forms of exploitation. Are you able to spot the signs?. If you see something, say something.
If you want to know how to report a crime see Section 3 of the Welcome Guide.
Ukrainian guests can obtain a free six-month membership for Ukrainians in their Oxfordshire leisure centers.
Facebook page ‘lelekastorytime’ organises guided tours and holiday activities for Ukrainians such as The Story Museum and History of Science Museum.
Find free and low-cost activities for children and young people offered by the local authority.
CCOW offer a range of events throughout the year, see the list of events here.
There are various community opportunities to access cheap or free food – Oxford City Council explains how Community Larders and Community Fridges work here.
You will need to sign up to your local Food Larder .