Our response to the invasion of Ukraine

What we're doing

We are working to provide welfare support to both Ukrainian and Russian students and staff who have been impacted by the developments, as well as providing financial support where necessary. 

• Assistance funding for students

We are developing a partnership with Karazin University in Kharkiv, Ukraine (KKNU) which will include offering fellowships, assisting with the preservation of rare books, providing summer schools, short courses, and access to online resources, and establishing longer term links between academics and between our students unions. The Universities UK (UUK) Twin for Hope campaign shows how partnerships between UK and Ukrainian universities are making a positive difference during this humanitarian crisis.

Watch the UUK #TwinForHope video

We are also supporting the work of the Council for At Risk Academics (CARA) to provide a place of safety in the UK for academics displaced by the conflict. Locally, we are working with the City Council and other local partners to see how we can best coordinate our actions to the benefit of those needing sanctuary.

How you can help

Members of our community have asked how they can offer support financially or through volunteering. Alongside the many national charities supporting those affected, the University is enabling contributions through our Equal Access Fund giving page, and we thank you in advance for any support.

Donate to our Equal Access Fund

Donate a bicycle

We're working in partnership with the City of York Council to provide bicycles to Ukrainian refugees. By donating an unwanted bicycle, you can support people to become more independent and move into the next stages of their lives.

Learn Ukrainian - and support Unicef

During the summer, Languages for All are offering a beginners course in Ukrainian. The course will run for eight weeks, from w/c 27 June, with the option to study online or in person. All course fees will be donated to the Unicef Ukraine appeal to help children and families affected by the war in Ukraine. Find out more about the Ukrainian for Everyday Communication (Beginners) course and register your interest in attending.

Support a new Ukraine Society at the University

You can donate to or share the project on our crowdfunding platform to help raise funds for the new Ukraine Society.

Other ways you can support across the city of York

1. If you are able to host incoming individuals or families from Ukraine you can register with both the national Homes for Ukraine scheme and locally with York's City of Sanctuary team who are coordinating work across the city.
2. If you speak Ukrainian or Russian with fluency you can volunteer to help with translation/support efforts. Please get in touch directly with Bianca Vartic at the City of York Council.
3. If you are able to volunteer regularly in local schools or community groups to support English language tuition to either children or adults, York Learning would like to hear from you.
4. You can also make donations (financial or clothes/school uniform etc) toward City of Sanctuary and RAY (Refugee Action York) who are leading across the city for support in partnership with the council.