Links to Initiatives & Resources to support those affected by the war in Ukraine
*Disclaimer: These lists have been compiled from various published sources and shared in good faith - please send any additions or changes to support@charitytranslators.org
Last updated: 18 May 2022
Useful Links & Resources
Useful Links:
UK Government Ukraine Family Scheme visa
UK Government information:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-ukraine-family-scheme-visa
UK Government Homes for Ukraine Sponsored Scheme
UK Government information:
https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-visa-under-the-ukraine-sponsorship-scheme
UK Local Government Authorities
You can search the website of your Local Council for updated information and guidance for your local area:
https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
Local Community Support Groups on Facebook
Local Facebook Groups have been set up across the UK to support refugees and host families. Use a keyword search to find and join your local groups.
Barnardo’s
Ukrainian Support Helpline:
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/helping-families/ukrainian-helpline
British Red Cross
Help for Ukrainian nationals:
https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-help-as-a-refugee/help-for-refugees-from-ukraine
Refugee Council
Information for people affected by the crisis in Ukraine:
https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/information/information-on-ukraine/
Sanctuary Foundation
Information for hosting Refugees and for Refugees to share their contact information:
https://www.sanctuaryfoundation.org.uk/
https://www.sanctuaryfoundation.org.uk/ukrainians
Ukrainian Refugee Support
Ukrainian Institute London:
https://refugee-support.ukrainianinstitute.org.uk/
Support for Ukrainian Refugees - website info
https://ukrainianrefugeehelp.co.uk/
Resources:
Healthcare Info (Doctors of the World)
Navigating the NHS and right to healthcare in Ukrainian and Russian:
Info Sheet on looking after children through conflict and displacement
The University of Manchester:
Children's Activity Book for Emotional Well-Being
My Emotions Activity Book in Ukrainian and English:
https://www.myemotionsactivitybook.com/availablelanguages
Resources for Trauma (Psychology Tools)
Trauma And PTSD resources in English, Ukrainian, Polish, and Russian:
Council of Europe - Resources supporting the (linguistic) integration of refugees from Ukraine:
Schools & Education
Language for Work
https://languageforwork.ecml.at/Guides/tabid/4319/language/en-GB/Default.aspx
https://languageforwork.ecml.at/Portals/48/documents/LFW-communication-public-services-EN.pdf
Child Bereavement UK
Bereavement support information in Ukrainian:
https://www.childbereavementuk.org/Listing/Category/resources-in-ukrainian
Language Learning & Apps
SayHi Translate
Free speech translation app available for iOS and Android devices:
https://www.sayhi.com/en/translate/
Free Workshops for Refugee Hosts
Are you hosting a refugee or asylum seeker in your home? English Unlocked can help you better communicate in English.
Click on Tickets for availability:
https://www.englishunlocked.co.uk/post/training-for-refugee-hosts
Tilde
Free Ukrainian text translation:
https://translate.tilde.com/#/
uTalk
Free App to learn Ukrainian:
https://www.store.utalk.com/ukrainiansingle
Free App for Ukrainian speakers to learn other languages:
https://www.store.utalk.com/ukrainianchoose
Language Support - Translation & Interpreting
NGOs & Volunteer Initiatives supporting humanitarian efforts and/or refugees:
Translators Without Borders
https://clearglobal.org/partner-with-us/ukraine-appeal/
Click the link "Apply for Language Support"
Respond Crisis Translation
For individuals and organisations needing Language Support (Ukrainian/Russian):
https://respondcrisistranslation.org/en/services
Ukraine@respondcrisistranslation.org
The International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC)
Linguistic assistance provided on a pro-bono (free) basis:
Interpreters - https://aiic.org/document/10222/AIIC_Roster_Interpreters_04.03.22.xlsx
Translators - https://aiic.org/document/10223/AIIC_Roster_Translators_04.03.22.xlsx
POLAND - Translators for Ukraine
All Translation Associations in Poland including Polish Association of Conference Interpreters - over 500 volunteers:
https://tlumaczedlaukrainy.pl/
ROMANIA - Translating for Humanity
Romanian to/from Ukrainian pro-bono (free) translation services to patients with advanced illnesses or chronic diseases, seeking medical treatment abroad, and/or to those applying for reimbursements for overseas medical treatment:
https://translatingforhumanity.com/
contact@translatingforhumanity.com
Language Companies supporting humanitarian efforts and/or refugees (A-Z):
*The following companies have expressed various offers of support to NGOs and/or individuals - please contact them directly to ask about free or discounted language support - costs may apply.
ATLAS Translations
Translation services from Ukrainian to English:
https://www.atlas-translations.co.uk/
The Big Word
Donating 5000 minutes of Telephone Interpreting for organisations supporting refugees through WordSynk TI App:
https://marketing.thebigword.com/thebigword-stands-with-ukraine
Eurasian Linguistics
Translation services from Ukrainian/Russian to English:
https://www.eurasianlinguistics.com/
Global Voices
Interpreting and translation service:
KUDO - *software
Free use of video conferencing platform for NGOs & Volunteer Interpreters:
Lingua Services
Certified translations from Ukrainian/Russian to English:
https://www.linguaservices.co.uk/
My Language Hub Ltd
Translation services English/Ukrainian:
Notable Notaries
Ukrainian/English document certifications that have already been translated.
https://www.notablenotaries.co.uk/
Talk Russian Ltd
Certified translations from Russian to English:
https://www.talkrussian.com/certified-translation-in-russian
Translayte
Translation services from Ukrainian to English:
IRELAND - TRANSLIT
Offering its interpreting technology, Translit RSI, to Irish government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), charities, and refugees:
TTC wetranslate
Translation services English/Ukrainian:
Verbatim Services
Certified translations from Ukrainian to English:
https://verbatimservices.co.uk/
Language Associations & Companies (A-Z):
*Additional links to find language support - costs will apply.
Association of Translation Companies
Translation Services:
https://atc.org.uk/member-directory/
Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL)
Find-a-Linguist:
https://www.ciol.org.uk/find-a-linguist
Clear Voice Interpreting Services
Interpreting services English/Ukrainian:
https://clearvoice.org.uk/services/
Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI)
Find a professional:
https://www.iti.org.uk/find-professional-translator-interpreter.html
National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI)
Find an interpreter:
Volunteer your Language Skills
Where to volunteer your language skills:
Translators Without Borders
You can join to help with Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Hungarian, Czech, Romanian, Moldovan, and German:
Respond Crisis Translation
You can join to help with Ukrainian and Russian:
https://www.respondcrisistranslation.org/
The International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC)
You can join the Crisis in Eastern Europe Roster of Linguists:
POLAND - Translators for Ukraine
All Translation Associations in Poland including Polish Association of Conference Interpreters - over 500 volunteers:
https://tlumaczedlaukrainy.pl/
POLAND - Polish Society of Sworn and Specialised Translators (TEPIS)
You can join to help with Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, and all other languages. The list will be made available to the aid organisations, help points and authorities/offices in Poland.
FRANCE - Réfugiés.info
You can join to help with many languages but especially Ukrainian and Russian.
https://airtable.com/shreZXrYAzY5n1r3W
Mastermind Translations Ltd
If you are a medical translator working from Ukrainian to Polish and/or Ukrainian to English, please contact Kasia at kasia@mastermindtranslations.co.uk or visit https://www.mastermindtranslations.co.uk/
ROMANIA - Translating for Humanity
If you are a medical translator working from Romanian to/from Ukrainian:
https://translatingforhumanity.com/
Charity Translators
https://www.charitytranslators.org/
Resources for language support professionals & volunteers:
KUDO - *software
Free use of video conferencing platform for Volunteer Interpreters:
Red-t
Safety Guidelines: Conflict Zone Field Guide for Civilian Translators/ Interpreters and Users of Their Services in multiple languages:
https://red-t.org/our-work/safety-guidelines/
Translators Without Borders
Field guide to humanitarian interpreting and cultural mediation:
Various resources (search by Topic & Languages):
https://translatorswithoutborders.org/resources/
Becoming a Public Service Interpreter (PSI) & Professional Opportunities
The context for UK Public Service interpreting is where providers and recipients of vital public services do not share a common language, but where accurate and reliable communication needs to take place. There are fewer Ukrainian speaking Public Service Interpreters (PSIs) than are likely to be needed to support people and families coming to the UK displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. Bridging this linguistic gap matters enormously for people’s safety, access to justice, housing, health and access to work.
The role of a PSI is one of great personal responsibility: transferring the meaning of what is said in English and another language, both ways, without adding or omitting anything. PSIs have a duty to both service users and public service providers; they often have to step in, take centre stage and take responsibility for what is said and relayed between parties. To do this work professionally in the UK requires training, qualifications, and relevant experience; interpreters are recruited by language service companies in line with framework contracts set by UK Government, the Police, NHS and Local Authorities – but there are good courses and providers who can help you explore this if you want to train to become a Ukrainian/English Public Service Interpreter.
Training Providers (costs will apply):
- DPSI Online - https://dpsionline.co.uk/
- International School of Linguists - https://islinguists.com/
- Refugees in Effective & Active Partnership (REAP) - http://reap.org.uk/
Funded Training Opportunities:
- Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (Law option) by the Association of Police and Court Interpreters (APCI): https://www.nrpsi.org.uk/downloads/APCI-Press-release-220413.pdf
- Do you want to learn more about what an interpreter does? DPSI Online is providing this Introduction to Interpreting course free of charge to anyone who wants to explore the role of interpreters in different settings and will show what you need to train as a professional community or public service interpreter at level 3 or higher. This course is not a training course and consequently, will not allow you to start working as an interpreter right away. Instead, it aims to provide learners with an insight into the interpreting profession because those undertaking paid assignments are required to hold at least a level 3 interpreting qualification. Click here to complete enrolment.
Opportunities for Qualified Interpreters:
The UK’s Ukraine Language Support Task Force is working with the Home Office to expand the pool of qualified and competent Ukrainian/English and Russian/English interpreters.
Suitably qualified interpreters are encouraged to register with the Home Office at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-interpreters/guidance-for-interpreters.
Model Document Translations for Visa Applications
The Ukraine Family and Sponsored Visa Schemes are open for applications for family members of Ukrainians settled in the UK and refugees with a UK Sponsor.
For the Family Scheme, applicants must have evidence of their UK-based family link: a copy of an official document that confirms the relationship with their UK-based family member. This can be a marriage or a birth certificate, for example.
Ukrainian-English model document translations
UK-based professional language associations and organisations have created model document translations for the most commonly needed documents:
• Birth Certificate (in two versions: late Soviet-era and more recent)
• Marriage Certificate
• Divorce Certificate
The Ukrainian model has the language code UK in the file name, and the English model the language code EN.
Both the UK and EN models have blank spaces _____ for personal details.
The models can be downloaded and used free of charge - links below
More templates will be added for the most commonly needed document types.
To use the model translations:
1. Check if your original Ukrainian document has the same text as the Ukrainian model document.
2. Fill in the English model document with personal details from the Ukrainian original document (use Latin alphabet).
3. Include a copy of the original Ukrainian document and the English translation in the visa application.
Certified translations in the UK
In normal circumstances, visa applications and other official purposes require a certified translation of the original document.
A certified translation includes a photocopy of the original document, a translation of the original document, and a certificate stating that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original document. The certificate is signed by the professionally qualified translator or a representative of a translation company, and it may carry the stamp of a professional trade association.
In the UK, there is no system of state-authorised or sworn translators, or legislation for certifying translations. Different UK authorities may have different requirements on how a certified translation is submitted.
General instructions from the UK Government for certifying an original document (if needed), and certifying a translation of a document, can be found at https://www.gov.uk/certifying-a-document.
If you need a certified translation produced by a professional, you can find a translator or a translation company via the below links:
• Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI Assessed translators carry a stamp)
• Chartered Institute of Linguists
• Association of Translation Companies (Accredited Member Companies carry a stamp)
Templates - Model Document Translations for Visa Applications
