USPUK Newsletter - September 2025 🌻
Dear friends,
Every week, we’re helping Ukrainian and Afghan families find safety, reunite with loved ones, and take their first steps toward rebuilding their lives in the UK.
This month, we’d love to share with you some of the moments, challenges, and good news that have kept us moving forward — from powerful stories of hope to important updates that could affect our community.
📊 Migration Data: UPE Visa Extensions
At the end of August, the UK government released its first official snapshot of the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme:
80,704 people had received extensions by 30 June 2025.
This represents around 59% of those eligible.
Some have left the UK, switched visas, or were still awaiting decisions at the time of data collection.
We’ll continue to monitor trends and share updates.
ℹ️ New Afghan Info Packs
USPUK remains committed to supporting Afghans rebuilding their lives in the UK. We’ve just released two new guides:
Data protection & data leaks (link)
Moving houses in the UK (link)
These resources are available in English, Dari, and Pashto — bringing our library to 14 practical guides tailored for Afghan communities.
This September marks two years since we launched our Afghan Project and completed our first community survey with More in Common. Since then, we have supported hundreds of individuals and families across the UK, responding to real needs with practical help.
To date, we have held 1,426 individual consultations and responded to hundreds of enquiries. We have also shared numerous updates, events, job fairs, resources, and various opportunities with our cohort members. Making sure the community has access to the support and information they need. Along the way, we’ve helped resolve several complex cases, including one that led to a service user being reunited with his wife and children under the ACRS family reunion route.
“Leading this project has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Being part of a recognised and trusted presence within the Afghan community, and knowing that our support often reaches people at the moments they need it most, has been a real privilege.” — Anil Qasemi, Afghan Project Lead
🏡 Hosts’ Voices: Experiences Post-Matching
We recently asked our hosts about their experience of welcoming Ukrainian families. Here’s what they told us:
“Delightful family — they fit perfectly with our family.”
“Our guest graduated her Masters, is working as a freelance designer, and is engaged to be married.”
“This is our 3rd time hosting. Our guests have become a big part of our family — we even still see our previous guests who now live independently.”
We are deeply grateful for this commitment and will continue addressing all the questions and feedback coming our way.
🎙️ Podcast Spotlight: Not Another Impact Report
“I lost my home, but was replanted in the community.” – Anastasiia Spivak
This quote from our dear friend Anastasiia Spivak, who has been supporting USPUK work since the very beginning, beautifully sums up our mission: preparing the “soil” so that displaced communities can take root and flourish.
Anastasiia’s story is featured in the Not Another Impact Report podcast, co-created by George Crawley, whose global charity experience was instrumental in the founding of USPUK. The episode is inspiring, heartfelt, and a powerful reminder of the resilience of Ukrainians rebuilding their lives in the UK.
👉 Listen and watch here – 8 episodes available, more coming soon!
🌟 Step by Step, Hope is Growing
During Refugee Week, our caseworker Nadiia set out on a 500-mile journey — the Walk for Hope.
Her goal was to Raise £5,000 to help 50 more children escape war zones and find safety in the UK and she still needs our support.
Every step she takes brings us closer. Every pound you can give — changes a child’s future.
Thank you for staying tuned and receiving updates from USPUK - registered charity. We want to express deep gratitude for all the donors, hosts and supporters who are with us in this work.
With your help we are able to deliver crucial information and advice to displaced Ukrainians and Afghans and work daily to support their needs. Your input means a lot!
Thank you for standing with us — and with refugees rebuilding their lives in the UK.
For all our Ukrainian and Afghan friends - we are deeply honored to stand by you in your journey of courage and strength. You can always reach for our help via https://www.uspuk.org/information.
With love and support,
USPUK Team
Stay tuned for updates, stories, and ways you can get involved.
Together, we can make a significant impact and support those who need it most.
All our services are free of charge, and we welcome donations to help us continue our work.