Barnardo’s Ukrainian Helpline

Barnardo’s Ukrainian helpline has been operational since March 2022 and now gets over 800 calls per week. Those calling have changed from UK families with practical questions to now, when far more refugees with complex reactions are asking for help.

Andrew Tubman is a Helplines Manager with Barnardo’s, the largest national children’s charity in the UK. Andrew joined Barnardo’s during the covid pandemic to lead the delivery of ‘Boloh’ a Helpline for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic families – the first of it’s kind in the UK. This has included Helpline projects to support refugees, asylum seekers and Hong Kong British Nationals arriving in the UK. Previously he worked for NSPCC’s Childline service and has over 10 years’ experience within Children’s Helplines, as well as in education and leaving care services. He leads on the organisations development, mobilisation and delivery of Helpline services including the Ukrainian Support Helpline.

In response to the Ukraine war Barnardo’s mobilised the Ukrainian Support Helpline in March 2022 to support refugees and host families. The Helpline offers advice, signposting, emotional support, practical support and free therapeutic, multilingual counselling.

The Helpline is open:

– Monday – Friday 10.00am-8.00pm

– Saturday 10.00am-3.00pm

You can contact the Helpline on 0800 148 8586 or email ukrainiansupport@barnardos.org.uk