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Contact Elmbridge CAN by email or fill in this form. Contact us Sign up to receive our newsletter or contact us if you have a specific enquiry. We’d love to hear from you! Sign up to our newsletter Contact us First name* Last name Email* Message Submit Other ways to contact Elmbridge CAN Email: contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk Write to us : PO Box 112, East Molesey, KT8 8EN.

Elmbridge CAN provides positive action for refugees. We are a community-based, volunteer-powered charity located in Elmbridge, Surrey, UK. Our mission is to welcome and support people fleeing terror in their home countries, enabling them to build a new life in Britain. Welcome We support forcibly displaced people in and around the Surrey borough of Elmbridge. Elmbridge CAN is a community-based, volunteer-powered charity located in Elmbridge, Surrey, UK. We help forcibly displaced people - such as refugees and asylum-seekers - in and around Elmbridge to rebuild their lives to become independent and contributing members of our community. We offer integration services in partnership with local organisations and through our network of committed volunteers. About us Get help Get involved What's on Find out about our classes to learn English, opportunities to meet people and ways to access our support. Find out more Hasina's story Hasina was the Afghan Minister for Women's Affairs when the Taliban took power. She survived two assassination attempts, and had to flee Afghanistan with her family to survive. Read Hasina's story Latest news Here you can read our newsletters and find other interesting and relevant articles and updates. Find out more Make a difference From hosting to donating or volunteering, there are plenty of ways to get involved in Elmbridge. Find out more I’ve met incredible people here who are like angels, and this place feels so safe because of all you do. You never hold back on any help or support. NM

We are proud to partner with these organisations and are enormously grateful to them for funding our work. We are proud to partner with the following organisations, and are enormously grateful to them for funding our work. Who we work with We are proud to partner with the following organisations, and are enormously grateful to them for funding our work. A charitable foundation which works with local partners to tackle poverty and inequality in Elmbridge, Surrey. We work closely with our local borough council, which holds the primary responsibility for resettling refugees locally. The Community Foundation brings together local donors and those acting to provide positive solutions for local people and disadvantaged individuals. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes over £600m a year to communities across the UK, raised by players of the National Lottery. Shanly Foundation is funded entirely by the Shanly Group of companies and donates over £1.75m every year to community causes across the South East of England. The Postcode Society Trust is a grant-giving charity funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, supporting projects that strengthen communities and improve lives. We also work closely with a growing and varied network of other organisations, including charities, government agencies, faith groups, schools and companies. They all have a key role to play in supporting displaced people, and we achieve more by working together. We also work with a growing and varied network of other organisations, including charities, government agencies, faith groups, schools and companies. They all have a key role to play in supporting displaced people, and we achieve more by working together. Here are some more of our strategic partners: City of Sanctuary is a network of communities, councils, schools and libraries that provide support and opportunity to people seeking sanctuary in the UK. Elmbridge CAN is proud to be a long-standing member of the City of Sanctuary movement. Big Leaf is a local charitable foundation which provides a nurturing programme of activities, projects and events, focussing on combating social isolation and improving wellbeing for displaced young people in Surrey. CSVA is a charity aiming to support and shape best practice in volunteering and social action in Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell and Mole Valley. Specifically, they help to promote our volunteering opportunities and undertake DBS checks on our behalf. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership community for charities, voluntary organisations and community groups in England. It helps voluntary organisations achieve their greatest impact. Elmbridge CAN is a member of NCVO.

Help and support for displaced people living in Elmbridge Get help کمک بگیرید احصل على المساعدة отримай допомогу What's on Employment Finance Children Housing Transport Health Volunteer

We support forcibly displaced people in the Surrey borough of Elmbridge and surrounding area About us We support forcibly displaced people in and around the Surrey borough of Elmbridge. Every day, millions of people are forced to leave their homes due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. These individuals face unimaginable hardships - loss of home, separation from loved ones, and uncertainty about the future. Founded in 2016, at the height of the Syrian refugee crisis, Elmbridge CAN exists to welcome and support refugees who have found their way to the borough of Elmbridge. Our charity is committed to providing such people with practical help, dignity and hope as they rebuild their lives here, based on our common humanity. However, we recognise that this can't happen without a collaborative, cross-community effort. We facilitate this within the Borough of Elmbridge - bringing together volunteers, businesses, community groups, schools, other charities and the local authority. We are proud to stand in solidarity with forcibly displaced people and believe that collectively, the residents and neighbours of Elmbridge CAN make a difference. Our team Who we work with Impact report Stories Contact us Latest news Our aims 1. Improving lives in Elmbridge We provide small grants and a range of services which foster social inclusion and wellbeing for forcibly displaced people in the borough of Elmbridge and surrounding area. 2. Raising awareness Through our community outreach activity, we advance the education of the public in general about the issues relating to forcibly displaced people. Read more in our Constitution . Our support roadmap In all cases we are guided by our “support roadmap”, which illustrates the process from arrival to becoming a fully contributing, thriving member of the community. How Elmbridge CAN began Elmbridge CAN came out of a meeting in a pub, and was set up in response to the Syrian refugee crisis of 2015. Our founder and co-director, Jeannie, tells our story. Find out more Volunteer with us We are always looking for keen volunteers, particularly those with relevant skills. Find out more Stay in touch Sign up for our newsletters to receive quarterly updates on our work. Find out more I am deeply grateful for every gesture: for taking the time to talk to me, for the clothes, for the support to continue my studies... All of this has been invaluable to me and has had a tremendous impact on my life. Thanks to you, I've been able to stay calm and move forward, even within the constraints of the asylum process, which often makes me feel limited. CM

There are lots of ways to get involved and support our work. Get involved There are lots of ways you can get involved in our work, from hosting a family to volunteering. Transforming the lives of refugees in Elmbridge requires teamwork. We need help from all kinds of organisations and individuals to make it happen – from businesses and schools, to charities and churches. There are lots of ways you can get involved in our work. Volunteer Become a host Donate Get informed Rent your property Newsletter sign up "Education is my way to survive" Imagine arriving to live in a new country with no knowledge of the language. A few years later, you are studying at university, with clear career goals. This is the story of Ali, Mohammed and Ayram. Read their story What's on Find out about our classes to learn English, opportunities to meet people and ways to access our support. Find out more Read our Impact Report We share our challenges and successes in supporting over 250 families from diverse countries including Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Find out more I would like to express my gratitude to all members of your team for their help, understanding and support to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation, you find a way out of each seemingly insoluble problem... your work deserves respect and gratitude that are difficult to express in words. Iryna

We have a large network of volunteers who come from all walks of life and have different expertise, but they all share a passion to use their skills to support our displaced community. Volunteer We have a large network of volunteers who come from all walks of life and have different expertise, but they all share a passion to use their skills to support our displaced community. We couldn’t do what we do without their help. We want all our volunteers to feel valued and supported and to enjoy the experience. We hold regular volunteer get-togethers and training sessions, and offer support and supervision as needed. Volunteering with Elmbridge CAN and especially Oxana and her family has been incredibly rewarding for me. I have not only developed a great new connection but I also feel a sense of purpose and usefulness in being able to impart my local knowledge and use my network to help such a lovely, hard-working family. Charlotte We are always keen to welcome new volunteers, especially to help fill our current vacancies listed below. If none of these roles feels like a perfect fit but you are enthusiastic, reliable and motivated to support our work, we would still love to hear from you. Many of our roles are flexible and can be shaped around your interests, skills and availability. To get started, complete our application form and we’ll be in touch for an informal chat about how you could get involved. All new volunteers must go through our onboarding and induction process before they can start, which includes a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check and references. Please note that we are usually unable to accept applications from under-18s, except in very limited circumstances where a parent or guardian is involved. Current volunteer vacancies Teaching and mentoring roles We are always looking for volunteers who can support English language learning and help displaced people develop the skills needed for everyday life in the UK. These roles are generally flexible and can be adapted to suit you. Current needs include: English class teachers 121 English conversation volunteers Experienced GCSE and A-level tutors – particularly for Maths, English and Science (we also welcome applications from young adults who have recently taken these exams) Basic digital skills volunteers – some of the people we support have limited experience using everyday technology such as smartphones, apps and email. They need help getting started - you don't have to be a techie for this one! Welcome volunteers – supporting new arrivals with orientation in the community, such as where to catch a bus or where to shop. If you’re looking to make a meaningful difference and enjoy working with people, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Translators and interpreters We are keen to hear from prospective volunteers with knowledge of the main languages spoken by our clients, such as Ukrainian, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Pashto or Dari. Handypersons If you have good DIY skills and some time to spare, we'd love to hear from you! We often help people setting up new homes, with practical matters such as building or adapting furniture and putting up curtains. This is a valuable role which makes a real difference to families. Van owners We are always looking for drivers with vans or large vehicles to help with house moves or ad hoc deliveries. Please let us know if this could be you. Volunteer expenses We recognise that volunteers will incur expenses and we aim to reimburse all reasonable expenses as swiftly and simply as possible, while maintaining adequate controls. To find out more, please read our volunteer expense policy . Elmbridge CAN has made a big difference to me and my family. Many, many thanks to all the volunteers. Oxana

Sign up to our newsletter for more information about the work of Elmbridge CAN Latest news Here you can read our latest newsletters, which we issue roughly once per quarter. You can register to receive future newsletters here . If you want to get informed about the bigger picture, head to our Get informed page . Our newsletters Our April 2026 newsletter focussed on a special exhibition to celebrate 10 years of Elmbridge CAN, showcasing the work of some talented artists we've supported. Our February 2026 newsletter gave an update on the year so far and announced our upcoming 10-year anniversary! Read more here. Our mid-December 2025 newsletter gave a brief round-up of the year's activities and focussed on our recent Christmas party for supported families, with lots of lovely photos. Occasionally we send an additional newsletter on a specific issue or campaign - the early December 2025 edition urged supporters to help us smash our Big Give target of £10,000. With their help, WE DID IT!! We're so very grateful to everyone who pledged, donated and shared our campaign. In our October 2025 newsletter we gave an update on the Big Give Christmas Challenge and on our work in 2025 so far. We also highlighted Hasina's Story. Our August 2025 newsletter called for your help: "we're eligible for Champion Funding from The Big Give this Christmas! That means any donation given to us between 2nd and 9th December 2025 will be match-funded and will give our charity the funding boost it needs. If someone donates £50 this December, Elmbridge CAN will get £100." In our June 2025 newsletter we focussed on: celebrating volunteers' week and our talented volunteers some simple ways you can contribute hosting opportunities. Elmbridge CAN has been a great support to me... They have supported me financially and emotionally as well as helped with documents that are related to bills, hospitals, school etc. They have also helped me in finding a place to live and helped me with getting food and travel. I really appreciate their help as without them I would have been lost and homeless. PU

Information about managing your finances in the UK - covering benefits, council tax, assistance with costs related to children, and other sources of support. Finance This page provides information about managing your finances in the UK - covering benefits, council tax, assistance with costs related to children, and other sources of support. You may also qualify for a small emergency grant from Elmbridge CAN - read on for more details. Please note that most of the information below is only relevant if you have permission to remain in the UK. For information about the UK asylum system, including related financial support, see Right to Remain . UK Benefits System If you have access to public funds in the UK, including if you have refugee status or are here under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and you are on a low income, you can get help from the benefits system. You can find information about how to apply for Universal Credit on this government website: Universal Credit . To get information about what help you might be entitled to, you can use a benefits calculator such as Tackling Financial Insecurity Together or Benefits Calculator . If you don't yet have a UK bank account: If a claimant does not have a bank account at the time they are making a new claim to Universal Credit and if there is no option to say they don't have a bank account, the following steps should be followed: during the new claim add 6 zeros (000000) for the sort code and 8 zeros (00000000) for the bank account number - this will need to be done 4 times to progress the claim. If you are receiving Universal Credit, it is very important to keep them informed of any changes of circumstance you have, such as a new address or a new job. Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to get short-term additional help with rental costs from Elmbridge Borough Council through a discretionary housing payment. Information is available on the Elmbridge Council website: Discretionary Housing Payment . Help with Council Tax Council tax is payable on all rented or privately owned houses in the UK. You can find details about how to set up an account on the Elmbridge Council website: Council Tax . Homes for Ukraine Scheme guests are entitled to a 50% discount on their council tax in Elmbridge - you need to let the Council know that you would like to apply for this. All those on low incomes and with recourse to public funds are also able to apply for a council tax discount via the council's website: Council Tax Support . There are also discounts available to all single adult households - you can apply for this via your online account with Elmbridge Borough Council. Additional Sources of Support You can find a list of organisations in Surrey which can help with the cost of living here: Cost of living support . Elmbridge CAN small grants These grants are available on a discretionary basis to forcibly displaced people who are living in Elmbridge and are registered with us. We generally prioritise people with no access to public funds, such as asylum seekers. Grants may be available where there is emergency hardship, or for short-term needs such as school uniform or ESOL class fees. We can also sometimes help with material items such as bikes, and laptops where these are needed for essential study or similar. Please get in touch on contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk if you would like to apply to this fund. Foodbank vouchers and other food help Foodbank vouchers are available via Elmbridge CAN to those in need of short-term help with food and essentials such as toiletries. Please get in touch or visit us at a hub for more information. There are also other local schemes in place to help individuals and families to get food cheaply or for free: The Surplus Market - is open every Saturday and Sunday 11.30 am to 1:00 pm to the entire community at Sunbury Cricket Club, TW16 5PS. Simply turn up, fill your bags and make a donation. The Elmbridge Eco Hub They are based in Walton, have a community fridge and often have free food available to collect, as well as providing other items and sources of support . You do not need a referral - just go along. See Elmbridge Eco Hub for more details . Broadband If you are on a low income you may be able to get cheaper broadband through a social tariff. See Ofcom Social tariffs: Cheaper broadband and phone packages for more details. For general information on how to save money in the UK see Money Saving Expert . Childcare and Costs Relating to Children Universal credit may pay some of your childcare costs when you go to work: Universal Credit childcare costs . Families on a low income may be entitled to free nursery places for two year olds. For more information see: Free education and childcare for 2-year-olds if you claim certain benefits . See Childcare Choices: 15 and 30 hours childcare for more information on government help with childcare costs (15 hours for children aged between nine months and two years, and an additional 15 hours for three and four year olds). Free school meals are available for all children in Reception to Year 2 in a state-maintained school. Free school meals are also available to children on certain qualifying benefits, see Apply for free school meals for how to apply. If your child receives free school meals, then they should also receive some free holiday camp days during the school holidays under the Holiday activities and food programme . Contact your school to ask about this, and speak to Elmbridge CAN if you have any problems. If you have no access to public funds your child may still be able to access free school meals - speak your school to ask, and get in touch with us if you have any problems. School uniforms If you are struggling with the cost of school uniforms, speak to your school in the first instance as they may be able to help you. If they are not able to, please let us know, as we may be able to support you or help you access other sources of support such as The Bridge in Walton or Stripey Stork . Please let us know if you are struggling financially, we may be able to help or refer you to other sources of support.

Olena and Tetiana: stories of hosting Ukrainians in Elmbridge Tetiana's and Olena's story ‘I have learnt how fortunate I am,’ Diane insists. ‘When I think something in life is a bit of a nuisance, I think “How dare I”. I have enjoyed everything about having them here.’ ‘We can’t imagine what they have been through,’ says Bob. ‘I love the fact that so much is happening all around us,’ Cathy adds. ‘We’ve gained far more than we’ve lost.’ Hosting Ukrainian families in the community here in Elmbridge has been a profound experience for those who have done it. Opening up a home and welcoming others into the family takes courage but it is also a hugely rewarding experience. ‘I’d been thinking about it for a while and I was in the lucky position of having space,’ Diane continues. ‘I had followed the war in the news and had been in touch with Elmbridge Council to say I’d be interested in having somebody. I had a phone call one day and I was introduced to these three people.’ These three are Tetiana and her two children, Alex (15) and Daria (11). They lived in Vinnytsia, a city in central Ukraine. When the war broke out on 24 February 2022, Tetiana’s husband stayed behind to join the military. A bomb landed at the military base just three kilometres outside the city on the first day of fighting. ‘It was six o’clock the next morning when we left,’ Alex recalls. ‘We travelled to Chernivtsi, which is a city near the Romanian border. I was the guy with the map and I had to lead two cars. I was sharing the map reading with Nikita, we’d do four hours each at a time. I was trying to figure out where to go. Across the border we found a city about 50 kilometres away.’ Nikita is a year older than Alex. He has a younger brother, Mike, who is eight, and they travelled in convoy with mum Olena, who owns a travel agency with Tetiana back in Vinnytsia. The two families are close but nothing could have prepared them for the epic journey across Europe which lasted over two months. Taking in Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Belgium and France they travelled over 3000km to reach the safety of these shores. ‘We never thought about coming to England at first,’ Alex explains. ‘I’ve always wanted to study abroad, I learnt English when I was four, then I started to learn French. I never thought about coming to the UK because it’s so hard to get a visa. I tried to learn some Czech on the way here but I didn’t really like it so I said to Mum, “Let’s go to America”. She said, “How are we going to go to America with this car?” Then Mum found on a Facebook group the Homes for Ukraine programme in the UK and we applied for that.’ Diane’s son and two daughters live locally and have been very supportive. She is a former primary school headteacher who retired from her most recent role as a director of a counselling charity and had lived alone in Weybridge for the past six years when she opened her doors to Tetiana’s family. ‘My family consider you part of our family,’ Diane says, as the five of them sit around the garden table reflecting on the events of the past year. ‘We all knew at the beginning that certain things might go wrong but nothing was insoluble and we always talk things through, we’ve become like a close family. Tetiania’s children attend school locally and feel secure and safe in their new environment. ‘Everything is good here,’ says Daria. ‘I love Di because she’s so happy every day and is always joking. Rose is a lovely dog too.’ A mile away in Oatlands, Cathy and Bob have two dogs at their home – Maisie and Lola - and the bustle of more footsteps through the door when Olena, Nikita and Mike arrived in September 2022 has been one of the many positives of this extended family. Cathy is also a recently retired primary school headteacher while Bob is still busy combining work as a part-time lecturer, local councillor and amateur cricketer. ‘After working 24/7 for 40-odd years, I like the fact that people are coming and going all the time,’ Cathy says. ‘We get on really well. When you live with people occasionally some things annoy you but not a lot, to be honest. The better you get to know people the better you can work things out. We eat separately but occasionally at weekends we’ll get a takeaway together or cook together. We love the way our two daughters have embraced the whole thing and there are times when we all go to family events together which is great. ‘We have arrangements in the house to allow independence and inter-dependence. You have to be flexible. Historically we’ve always opened our doors to people. I have two nieces from the United States who both have lived with us for a time, so we’re quite used to that sort of thing. You’ve got to not mind about sharing your house as a home for someone else, and we don’t mind that at all. You become a household that understands how you all work together and that develops over time. And the best thing is Olena’s cheesecake, she makes the best cheesecake ever!’ ‘The dogs love having more people around,’ Bob adds. ‘Olena and the boys tend to fit in with what we do. We have little rules about the house to stop things like eight-year-olds traipsing through the house with muddy shoes from the garden, but that’s part of life! I have taken both boys to an Arsenal match and we’ve also been to see their school performances. Early on I asked Mike what his teacher was like and he said, “So, so!” I don’t think he’d have learnt that turn of phrase in the Ukraine.’ ‘They help our boys with their homework sometimes which is great,’ Olena reveals. ‘I love this family and it’s an amazing place to live. For Nikita, who is older, it was difficult to settle at first but Mike doesn’t want to go back to the Ukraine, he loves it here. He does football, tennis, gymnastics, everything. We are lucky with this family as our life depends on the environment here in this home.’ Olena and Tetiana are embarking on new careers too. After leaving the travel business behind they are taking their first steps into landscape gardening after initially working at their hosts’ gardens and then expanding to the neighbours. ‘I know a lady in Ukraine who is a biologist and I got in touch with her and she helped me out about how to look after plants, treat diseases and make sure they are healthy,’ Olena explains. ‘I have 20 clients here now, and there are nearly ten of us working together.’ ‘It is difficult to plan but maybe our dream could be a landscape design company in the future,’ adds Tetiana. ‘That is the challenge, how can we make our life comfortable?’ Contributing to the community is important for Olena and Tetiana. They left a wholesome life behind and want to embrace the new world as much as possible. ‘When we came here I put my heart into it to make it an interesting trip,’ Tetiana continues. ‘It would have been very difficult to think about the bigger problem of the war in Ukraine. Sometimes I can’t understand what has happened to us and what will happen in the future and when I think about this it’s very bad for my mental health. So I think about what we have here, with Di and other very nice people nearby, my children studying in school, and a lovely garden for us, a safe place where there are no rockets flying over us.’ The war is, inevitably, a constant presence in their lives, with Nikita and Alex paying particular attention to what is happening back home. ‘I have to follow it, my Dad is in the military so I get to know all the news,’ Alex explains. ‘Dad has been in dangerous situations. He has been near the frontline at times. Then Dad started to do a role involving more paperwork so he got moved to headquarters, but he still travels to the frontline at times.’ Out of the most terrible circumstances these two families have formed a lifelong bond with their hosts in the UK. And for the hosts, this has been a fulfilling opportunity to share something incredibly precious: a home. ‘When you ask about living in the same environment, it has to be our house together - all five of us’, Cathy points out. ‘It can’t be “Our house – Bob and I – and you three are living in it”, that wouldn’t work.’ Olena and her boys will always appreciate that. And just a mile down the road, Tetiana is equally thankful that Diane has come into their lives. ‘Di has opened not just her house but also her heart and we thank her so much for that.’

As the war in Ukraine continues, there is still an urgent need for hosts for Ukrainians - including some who are already in Elmbridge. Become a host To date, over 2,000 Surrey residents have opened their homes to a Ukrainian family. As the war continues, there is still an urgent need for hosts for Ukrainians - including some who are already in Elmbridge but need to move on from their current accommodation. Could you or someone you know offer a safe place to stay? Hosting an individual or a family can be enormously rewarding and there is plenty of support available to both hosts and guests (including financial support from Elmbridge Borough Council). If you are considering hosting and would like an informal chat about how it works, please email us on contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk . You would get the chance to meet a prospective guest/s before making any commitment and would be supported through the process. Elmbridge CAN is not directly involved in hosting displaced people of other nationalities, but there are several organisations who specialise in this. See below some links to useful information for prospective hosts (of both Ukrainians and other nationalities). Useful links for prospective hosts Information on hosting Ukrainians for Elmbridge residents Information on hosting Ukrainians if you live elsewhere in Surrey This Surrey County Council guide has lots of useful information for new hosts or Ukrainian nationals who have recently arrived to live in Elmbridge, covering what you need to know in the first few days Hosting Good Practice Guide produced by NAACOM (The No Accommodation Network) Article on Tips for hosts Specialist hosting organisations RESET : a national organisation tasked with helping to match Ukrainians with UK hosts, as well as other work related to resettling forcibly displaced people, for example via the community sponsorship scheme Refugees At Home and Rooms for Refugees : both charities which connect those with a spare room in their home to forcibly displaced people (of any nationality) in need of somewhere to stay Hope at Home : a UK hosting charity specifically for survivors of modern slavery You can also see our Get help section to find out more about the help available from Elmbridge CAN. Tetiana’s and Olena's story “My family consider you part of our family,” Diane says… “we all knew at the beginning that certain things might go wrong but nothing was insoluble and we always talk things through” Read the full story Hosting a family has been so rewarding – from the joyous sight of Peppa Pig on my staircase when our own family ‘baby’ is doing A-Levels, to sharing experiences, food and culture and helping them learn English. Lesia

Jay recounts how she and her family fled Afghanistan under persecution and were given a safe home in Elmbridge. Jay's story Persecuted in Afghanistan for their religion, Jay and her husband had to make the difficult choice to leave their birth country to protect their family. She had no idea that she would end up in the UK. Theirs is a story of a long journey with tragic loss along the way, yet ultimate sanctuary and integration into Elmbridge, where they finally feel safe.