Offers and opportunities for guests and hosts
Special offers and opportunities available for guests and hosts across Cherwell
Free swimming sessions
Parkwood Leisure/Legacy Leisure are currently offering an initial 3 months free swimming membership for either Bicester, Spice ball or Kidlington Leisure Centres to any Ukrainian refugees. The offer can then be extended beyond the 3 months at the end of this period.
For details on swimming pool times please go to the Leisure Centre website or ring the relevant centre:
- Bicester 01869 253914
- Kidlington 01865 376368
- Spiceball (Banbury) 01295 257522
Free bus passes
Homes for Ukraine guests can apply for a free three-month bus pass via the Oxfordshire County Council website.
English language classes
Free English lessons for Ukrainian guests are being held in Upper Heyford. Venue: Somerton Road, Upper Heyford, Bicester, Oxfordshire OX25 5LB. The classes will be on Tuesday afternoons 1pm to 3pm and will begin on Tuesday, 13 September 2022.
Banbury and Bicester College are offering part-time and foundation English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses. For more details or to enrole, visit the Activate Learning website.
Abingdon and Witney College offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for people who have come to the UK to live. The classes are part-time and will help you with your speaking, listening, reading and writing. We have classes in Oxford, Abingdon, Witney and Bicester.
Open University courses for Ukrainian guests and hosts
The Open University is offering free resources to support Ukrainians settling in the UK and Ireland. The resources cover a range of topics from language and careers-based courses to articles on mental health and wellbeing. They are available in both English and Ukrainian.
The OU also have a brand new, free, short course in Ukrainian language and culture suitable for host families and anyone working with Ukrainians which covers a range of practical topics as well as a forum for information sharing.
Help for hosts
Our partner Asylum Welcome are offering free two-hour online sessions for people who are interested in becoming a host under the scheme and/or finding out more about how to make hosting a success.
If you are interested in attending one of these sessions, please email ukraine@asylum-welcome.org and the team will contact you with details.