Welcome
These pages are for people who have recently arrived in Rhondda Cynon Taf from Ukraine.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Counciland its partners stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
If you’ve recently arrived in the UK from Ukraine, welcome to the area. We want to make sure you have all the help and support you need during this devastating time.
Wales is a Nation of Sanctuary. There is a warm welcome waiting in Wales for all those coming from Ukraine.
View the Welsh Government's Sanctuary website
We are committed to supporting anyone arriving in the area, and to make your settlement in our region as worry free as possible.
We will do this by giving you information in relation to access to education for children and young people and welfare support, sign posting you to health care and mental health support where needed, as well as links to community resources.
We are working in partnership across our region, and Welsh Government, to ensure a full range of resources and support are available to assist you
Before you arrive?
An officer from the Council will visit the property to check it is suitable, in line with guidance from the UK Government and ensure that you will have everything that you need.
The Council officer has also arranged for a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check, and a social services records check, for all the adults living in your new home. There will be no cost to your host or yourself for any of these checks and they will be carried out in line with guidance from the UK Government.
When you arrive
Your host will let the council officers know that you have arrived and a wellbeing assessor will call to visit you at your new home to ensure that you are safe and well. You are entitled to receive an arrival payment of £200 as an emergency income for any essentials that you need. RCT Council will process this after the wellbeing assesment visit within 48/72 hours (working) of your arrival. This will be paid to you via a pre-paid card via post.
If you urgently need to discuss any issues please contact UkraineSupport@rctcbc.gov.uk
You can request help by completing the online form
Connect with other Ukrainian nationals in Rhondda Cynon Taf
We are organising welcome events for people arriving in Rhondda Cynon Taf to meet and connect with other Ukrainian nationals in the area. We want to ensure you have a local social and support network.
If you have arrived via the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, we will contact you directly with information about local events and social opportunities.
If you have arrived via the Ukraine Family Scheme visa and want to be put in touch with local community groups, please email us at UkraineSuport@rctcbc.gov.uk to meet our team.
Ukraine Family Scheme
Please note, if you have arrived on the Ukraine Family Scheme visa, you are not automatically eligible for the £200 cash payment - however the Council has taken the decison to offer this payment to help all Ukrainian nationals arriving within our County Borough.
To access this and other support available please contact UkraineSupport@rctcbc.gov.uk
View more information about the Ukraine Family scheme on the UK Government website
Access to online and digital services
Getting online is an essential part of life these days and there a number of ways to do that here in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Find out more - https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/GetInvolved/GetonlineinRCT/GetonlineinRCT.aspx
Helping you settle in
It will help you to settle in if you explore the area around where you will be living so you understand what services and activities are available locally.
Places you might like to visit include:
- Local shops – including places where you can buy culturally appropriate food and products
- Banks
- Community centres
- Leisure centres - RCT Council are able to offer our Ukrainian families and their host sponsors a FREE Leisure for Life Membership, which offers you inclusive access to gym, swimming, classes and indoor sports at ALL Council leisure throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf. The pass will be valid for 6 months from registration, and you will be given details at your welcome meeting.
- Libraries - a number of FREE e-books have been made availble in Ukrainian and can be accessed via borrow box.
- Healthcare centres and pharmacies
- Parks and play areas
- Places of worship
Information on tourist attractions/places of interest can be found here - https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Tourism/Home.aspx
The ‘Find My Nearest’ section on the Council’s website will also help provide local information.
Travelling around RCT
Visitors from Ukraine can now travel for free on rail services and Edwards coaches across Wales.
The six-month scheme, for all Transport for Wales rail services, is to help visitiors while they are settling in.
Ukrainian nationals will need to show their passport to conductors and station staff to claim free travel.
What’s the deal?
After the six months, a fare paying adult travelling with a child under the age of 11 can travel for free; and young people aged under 16 can enjoy free travel off-peak with Transport for Wales.
Free travel for under 11’s
Up to two children aged 10 and younger can enjoy free travel when accompanied by a fare paying adult on Transport for Wales services.
Tickets can be bought at a Transport for Wales ticket office or from your friendly conductor where there is no booking office. The origin and destination must be the same as the fare paying adult. Proof of age is required.
Free off-peak travel for under 16’s
If you’re lucky enough to be no older than 15 years of age then you can travel for free during off-peak times with Transport for Wales. You’ll need to be accompanied by a fare paying adult and there is a maximum of two passengers under the age of 16 allowed with any one fare paying adult at any one time.
Free travel is valid from 09.30 to 15.59 hours and from 18.30 hours Monday to Friday. You can travel for free all day on a Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday. The origin and destination must be the same as the fare paying adult. Proof of age is required.
Visit one of our ticket offices or have a chat with a conductor on board our trains to take advantage of these special fares.