EWA currently delivers

Homes for Ukraine Scheme

EWA CIC has been at the forefront of providing comprehensive support to Ukrainian nationals through the government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme since the outbreak of war in February 2022. Our organisation has extended a helping hand to over 200 individuals in the Sandwell and Birmingham areas, offering a wide range of services to facilitate their integration into UK society. Our holistic approach encompasses various aspects of support, including:

• Advice and guidance on settling in the UK
• Regular welfare checks to ensure well-being
• Subsistence payments and provision of essential white goods
• Assistance in transitioning from host accommodations to private rented sector housing
• English language classes (ESOL) to improve communication skills
• Employability support to help secure jobs
• Immigration advice and guidance on living in the UK
• Help with registering for healthcare services
• Cultural integration through visits to art galleries, museums, concerts, and heritage sites
• Organising seaside trips and community events to foster connections
• Ongoing hands-on support for everyday matters

Through these initiatives, EWA CIC continues to play a crucial role in helping Ukrainian refugees adapt to life in the UK, providing them with the tools and resources needed to build a new life while navigating the challenges of displacement.

EWA CIC has garnered recognition for its exemplary holistic support to Ukrainian nationals, leading government officials to cite our model as a benchmark of good practice. This acknowledgment highlights our commitment to addressing the diverse needs of the Ukrainian community through tailored services that promote integration and well-being. Our comprehensive reports detailing these initiatives and their impacts can be accessed in the publication section of our website, showcasing our ongoing efforts and successes in fostering community cohesion and support for those affected by the ongoing crisis.

Find out more about the Homes For Ukraine scheme.

Wider Determinants of Health and Talking Therapies Plus

funded by Black Country ICB. Our organisation is proud to work in close partnership with the Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) to deliver two vital projects. The first, Talking Therapies Plus, offers tailored psychological support to Polish and Ukrainian nationals, addressing mental health concerns and issues related to alcohol and drug addiction. The second, Wider Determinants of Health (WDH), provides broader support to our communities, focusing on supporting them with their immigration status, housing, health, employment, welfare, and benefits. Both projects are essential in maintaining crucial support for the most vulnerable members of our community. This collaboration aligns with the ICB’s mission to improve population health and care through integrated services, allowing us to address both immediate mental health needs and broader social determinants of health that significantly impact our community’s well-being.

Food and Clothing Bank

(we are part of Black Country Food Bank Network)- self- funded. Nearly three years ago, we found ourselves facing an overwhelming situation as the needs of our community grew exponentially. In response, we established a food and clothing bank to support the most vulnerable members of our community. We are fortunate to work closely with local authorities and are members of the Black Country Food Bank Network, which continues to supply much-needed food to our food bank. Our food bank operates every Wednesday morning from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the YMCA building. This provision currently funded through our own organisational reserves.

The creation of the food bank was a direct result of the growing economic inequality, which is of significant concern to us as an organisation focused on tackling such issues. We advocate for social inclusion, social justice, and a fairer distribution of wealth. While running a food bank is not something we take pride in, it was a necessary step we had to take, recognising the urgent demand and need for such provision in our area. Our goal is to provide a crucial breathing space for those in crisis while working towards longer-term solutions to address the root causes of food insecurity and poverty in our region whereby Sandwell remains one of the most deprived areas in England, ranking 12th out of 317 local authorities according to the 2019 Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).