Information for Ukrainian nationals arriving in the UK

Arriving in a foreign country has many challenges. The culture is different, the food is different, not to mention the differences in education, healthcare and other systems.

Reading Borough Council are committed to supporting you, your sponsor and your family, as well as keeping you safe.

As a Council we are working closely with the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre to ensure we help you in the best way.

The British Red Cross website has information to help Ukrainian nationals who have recently arrived in the UK understand rights and find out about services and support.

For emotional support please call the free British Red Cross support line: 0808 196 3651 (open between 10am – 6pm daily). If you need an interpreter, call and say, ‘can I speak to an interpreter?’.

Reading Borough Council

Main contact details

Address: Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2UL

Telephone numbers:

  • 0118 937 3787 (general enquiries)
  • 0118 937 3737 (out-of-hours emergencies)

Apply for Council Tax Support and/or Housing benefit

Claiming Housing Benefit and /or Council Tax Support

Telephone number: 0118 937 3707

Information on schools

How do families arriving from Ukraine apply for a school place and childcare? / Як родинам, що приїжджають з України, подавати заяви на отримання місць у школі та допомоги з оплати послуг з догляду за дитиною? – The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)

To request a school place for your child:

Family Information Service/SEND Local Offer

Including information on funded childcare option, support, activities and information on special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Reading Family Information Service | Reading Services Guide  

Email: fis@reading.gov.uk

Telephone number: 0118 937 3777 (option 2)

Housing Advice

Telephone number: 0118 937 2165 (please leave a message and we will call you back)

If you are unable to access Reading Borough Council services online or over the telephone then please visit Customer Services at The Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU.

If you require an interpreter to access Reading Borough Council or Brighter Futures for Children services (above) then please contact the service and a telephone interpreter will be arranged.

Other services

Reading Borough Council are not able to provide interpreters for the services listed below.

If you require an interpreter, please contact them directly.

Universal Credit

Apply for Universal Credit – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Health, NHS doctors and dentists

National insurance

How to get a National Insurance Number – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Legal advice around visa and immigration

Transport around Reading

Reading Buses (reading-buses.co.uk)

Reading Ukrainian Community Centre

Address: 21, Sidmouth Street, Reading, RG1 4QZ

Email: info@rucc.org.uk

Website: www.rucc.uk

Emergency services

  • 999 (for all emergencies)
  • 111 (for advice on health concerns)

Work and volunteering

Job Centre Plus

  • Address: Adelphi House, Friar St, Reading, RG1 1HD
  • Telephone number: 0845 604 3719

Reading Voluntary Action

  • Address: 3rd Central Library, Reading, RG1 3BQ
  • Telephone number: 0118 937 2273

Local shops that sell Ukrainian food

These are just some of the shops that sell Ukrainian food in Reading:

EuroDeli

  • Address: 185 Oxford Road, Reading
  • Telephone number: 0118 959 9912

Stokrotka Polish Food Shop

  • Address: 43 Whitley St. Reading, RG2 0EG
  • Telephone number: 0118 304 3411

Pierożek Ethnic Food Shop

  • Address: 324 Oxford Rd, Reading, RG30 1AF
  • Telephone number: 0162 877 3820

Documents

RBC Welcome Visit Ukraine – English version

RBC Welcome Visit Ukraine – Ukrainian version

RBC Welcome Visit Ukraine – Russian version

Last updated on 29/04/2022