Supporting those affected by the Ukraine crisis

Humanitarian aid collection point on campus - now closed

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our local community, the volume of donations over the last few weeks has been overwhelming and we can no longer accept any items for collection. 

Carol Towner from our School Administration Unit, YSJ Chaplain Jane Speck and our incredible volunteers have ensured that almost 64 tonnes of donations have now been sorted, packed and transported to depots in Leeds and Rotherham. We're working with UK charity Vulnerable Citizen Support (VCS) who are arranging for the boxes to be taken to drop sites in Romania and Poland. The donations are being transported forward by agencies on the ground to be distributed to Ukrainian refugees.

Vulnerable Citizen Support are fundraising to cover transportation and visa costs. Please take a look at their Humanitarian Aid Convoy Go Fund Me page if you'd like to make a donation.

Other ways you can help

Donations to global charities are one of the best and quickest ways you can help those affected by the war in Ukraine. Here's how you can help #StandWithUkraine.

Financial donations

If you want to donate money, there are a number of charities providing humanitarian relief in Ukraine.

• Donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal
• Donate to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency
• Donate to the Ukrainian Red Cross

Apply to be a sponsor

The government is launching a new sponsorship scheme to make sure that Ukrainians who have been forced to flee their homes have a route to safety.

The scheme will match people, charities, businesses and community groups to Ukrainians who do not have family ties to the UK.

More details on the scheme can be found on Homes for Ukraine.

York St John Stands with Ukraine

Joint statement from Vice Chancellor Professor Karen Bryan and Aimee Yeoman, Christian Smith and Jamie Andrews; Presidents of York St John Students' Union:

At York St John University and York St John Students’ Union, we are an international and inclusive community, and we are deeply worried and saddened by the war in Ukraine. The increasing severity of the situation and the crisis faced by those in Ukraine is extremely concerning and we stand in solidarity with all of those affected. 

Our Vice-Chancellor has written to students with links to the region to acknowledge this worrying time and to offer the University’s support. If you or anyone you know needs help, please feel free to contact the University wellbeing team via wellbeing@yorksj.ac.uk or the SU through su.advice@yorksj.ac.uk. Our University Chaplain, Jane Speck is also available via  j.speck@yorksj.ac.uk to support those of all faiths and none. Our thoughts are with all those affected by ongoing events and we will continue to work collaboratively to ensure that any students or staff affected by the crisis will be supported.