How to help our friends in Ukraine
It’s impossible not to be aware of the terrible things happening right now in Ukraine. These are troubling times, but we are all united by our desire to help our friends and Roots & Shoots sisters and brothers. We’ve collected together some resources, connections, links and ideas. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything, but taking positive action can help you feel better. It’s also okay to switch off for a bit to keep yourself in good physical and mental health.
Staying informed
Getting the correct, factual information can be difficult. There are lots of people ‘talking’ online, and not all of them are sharing accurate news. If you want to keep up-to-date on the situation, or you know people in Ukraine who are looking for accurate sources of information, then try these.
- BBC News - Ukrainian
- BBC World Service - shortwave radio will broadcast news in English on 15735 kHz and 5875 kHz
- BBC News
Don’t share without checking
Another thing that’s just as important to do is check information before sharing it on social media channels. It’s easy to see something eye catching on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and share it, but you could unwittingly be spreading disinformation, fake news or the wrong information. Before you share, check the source, and try and verify it with a few different, good information sources. If you’re unsure, and you don’t need to share it, then don’t.
How to talk to young people about the situation in Ukraine
It’s very likely that children, even young ones, will have picked up on what’s happening. This can be scary for them, so if you want to know how to talk about it and how to address their worries and concerns, then these resources will be very helpful.
- Save the Children - How to explain the conflict in Ukraine to children
- The Conversation - How to talk to children about the invasion of Ukraine, and why those conversations are important
Donate money to charities working to help people in Ukraine
There are many charities already in place who are working to help people affected by the situation in Ukraine. You can donate money to them directly, or you could also think about fundraising to increase your donations. This may also help you feel that you are doing something positive and helpful; it’s all too easy to feel powerless and helpless, but the truth is you can make a difference.
- Disasters Emergency Committee
- Save the Children
- British Red Cross
- Unicef - the United Nations children’s charity
Help refugees from Ukraine
Lots of people will have had to flee quickly from Ukraine, leaving their homes and most if not all of their possessions behind. They have become refugees, travelling to find a safe place to stop and rebuild their lives. They will often have little money, and may lack clothes, food, places to stay - all the basic things that people need to survive. There are organisations around the world dedicated to helping refugees, and will have information on ways you can contribute, from donating money to donating time, food, clothes, toiletries and more.
You can also search online to see if there are any local groups who are looking for donations to take or send over, or who are looking for people to help host refugees that arrive in the UK.
Call on your local politicians and the government to help
Use the power of your voice, and the voices of your friends and families, to call on your local politicians to help the people of Ukraine. You can write a letter or email to them, asking them to provide assistance and support. Find your local MP by putting your postcode into this website; this will tell you who they are, and how to get in touch with them. 
More ideas on ways you can help
Groups all around the country - all around the world - are rallying together to help Ukraine. Here are some more articles with ideas and suggestions for positive action.