Upcoming training

This month, Reset is offering training sessions on Supporting Refugee

Students in Further Education, Understanding Gender-Based Violence

and Supporting Survivors, and an Anti-Racism in Community-Led Welcome Workshop. If you are new to Community Sponsorship and in the process of planning your application, make sure to check out our Part 1: Planning your Application E-learning!

Yorkshire networking event

Reset hosted the first Yorkshire Community Sponsorship Networking event in January. The event was attended by 10 different groups spread across Yorkshire. Experienced groups shared valuable information on topics such as securing accommodation, fostering relationships with Local Authorities, and putting empowerment approaches into practice. Several of the groups who attended were at the very start of the Community Sponsorship journey and had the opportunity to ask for advice and guidance from those who have been through the process. 

Keep an eye on our Community Sponsorship Training Website for future networking events!

Children's mental health week 5th-11th February

Earlier this month, Children's Mental Health Week took place. The theme this year was ‘My Voice Matters’. To empower children and young people to express themselves, we need first to understand the impact of trauma on mental health. To find out more about how Community Sponsorship groups can support parents and families please click the left hand link.

ESOL childcare fund

A reminder that the Home Office is inviting bids for the fourth round of the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Childcare Fund for 2023/2024, with a submission deadline of 29th February. We have heard from Community Sponsorship groups and welcomed families how beneficial this fund has been in helping them access ESOL classes. You can find the application form, assessment criteria, and more information on how to apply on our website.

Mohammad and Roba share their story of being welcomed

Our team member Grace recently met with Mohammad and Roba to discuss their experience of being welcomed to Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria.

“The group are amazing, and we feel as though they are our family. The physical support is fantastic but the emotional and psychological support plays a big part too.”

Read about their experience and how they celebrated their one-year anniversary with the local community.

Feedback opportunities for Community Sponsorship groups

Community Sponsorship groups have several ways to feedback about their experience of welcoming a family. We have shared a new resource outlining the forms of feedback within the Community Sponsorship process. Hearing the thoughts and reflections of volunteers who have welcomed is vital in understanding their experience, and identifying where improvements can be made to the programme.

Child Benefit

For Community Sponsorship groups supporting welcomed families to apply for Child Benefit, the Home Office and HMRC are asking that you include the family’s case reference number at the top of the Child Benefit application form, so that the claims of newly arrived families can be fast tracked.

For any groups supporting families who are experiencing delays in receiving their Child Benefit, then please do let us know and we will ask the Home Office to raise it with HMRC. You can find out more about Child Benefit and other benefit entitlements on our Community Sponsorship website.

Community Sponsorship Alliance

A message from the Community Sponsorship Alliance.

On 8th February, the Community Sponsorship Alliance hosted a vision and strategy day. Our steering group members, including representatives from all four nations, met in person to reflect on the journey of the CSA so far. 

One of our key reflections is that Community Sponsorship is more than just a programme, it is a Community Sponsorship movement, and movements are driven by meaningful connections. We are really excited for the coming months as we continue to work with colleagues in the sector to contribute to the ongoing conversation around what community-led welcome looks like in the UK. 

We hope that you'll connect with us as we seek to catalyse the growth of the Community Sponsorship movement. To find out more, you can visit the CSA website or contact us on the following email address

[email protected]

Update on the Homes for Ukraine scheme

On 19th February 2024, the UK Government announced changes to all three Ukrainian schemes. This includes changes to the sponsor eligibility criteria and length of visas issued on the Homes for Ukraine scheme. In addition, they announced the new Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, which will allow Ukrainian individuals in the UK to apply for a visa extension. You can read more about these changes on our website.