Support for Ukraine

Community Assistance Centres

Anyone who has arrived in Northern Ireland from Ukraine, under either the Family Scheme or Homes for Ukraine Scheme, should go to a community assistance centre. The closest centres to Ards and North Down are in Belfast and Newry.

Help available

These centres provide advice on key services, including:

health assessments and registering with a Doctor
education and registering your child at a local School or college
jobs and benefits
housing, if you are not housed with a family member or host
immigration

Representatives from various statutory organisations will be available in the centres to assist with enquiries and help with any support applications. If you have arrived under either of the schemes you will receive a £200 one-off payment on attendance

Where possible, interpretation services will also be on hand for those with limited English.

What to bring

It is necessary to bring your ID and proof of the scheme under which you are registered.

Centre locations and opening times

Centres are open on the following weekdays between 9.30 am and 4.00 pm.

Belfast: Monday and Friday

Belfast City Council
Cecil Ward Building
4-10 Linenhall Street
Belfast
BT2 8BP

Newry: Tuesday

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Newry Leisure Centre
60 Cecil Street
Newry
BT35 6AU

The Northern Ireland Executive is leading on support for Ukrainian refugees and sponsors. Please see the links below for the latest available information.

Guide for Ukrainians arriving in Northern Ireland (executive office-ni.gov.uk)

Guide for sponsors living in Northern Ireland (executive office-ni.gov.uk)