Supporting Victims Of The Conflict In Ukraine

As an organisation committed to building communities where people feel safe, respected and empowered, it is with deep sadness that we witness the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. We stand with all who are suffering the impacts of the conflict.

What can I do to help?

Many of our members will no doubt be wanting to provide support to those caught in the conflict. There are several ways you can do this, including:

Financial donations

One of the most effective ways you can offer support is by making a cash donation if you are able to do so.

Click here to donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal

There are lots of charities across the UK and internationally that have launched appeals. Before making any donations, it is important to be confident that the charity is genuine and will use your money for the purpose that you intend it. You can check the charity’s name and registration number using the ‘search the charity register’ tool here (the page contains links to the separate registers for charities in England and Wales, in Scotland, and in Northern Ireland). Most charities with an income of £5,000 or more must be registered, which means they are regulated by The Charity Commission.

If you wish to use money from one of your Ecology savings accounts for a donation, you’ll need to withdraw the money from your account following the usual process (see ‘How can I withdraw money?’ on our savings FAQs page).

Donating essential supplies

The UK Government has advised that cash donations tend to be the most useful because money can be directed quickly to where it is urgently needed. However, there are also charities across the UK that are gathering essential supplies to make sure these reach people on the ground. If you would like to donate items, you should seek out an experienced charity or community group that is actively inviting donations; most will have lists of items that they need.

Ecology colleagues have already come together to donate essential items via a West Yorkshire family with Ukrainian connections and we’ll be exploring more ways that we can offer our help. The organisation that colleagues are supporting has only limited capacity to take items so we encourage any members who are wishing to donate goods to make their own enquiries into suitable charities; unfortunately, we cannot accept members’ donations of goods via the Ecology office.

Our hearts and thoughts remain with those affected by the conflict. We will continue to explore any ways in which Ecology might be able to help and hope that all seeking refuge will be met with kindness, solace and support wherever they arrive.