U Support
Our core project aimed at assisting the Ukrainian community in Brighton & Hove and Sussex amid the ever-changing immigration, economic, and housing landscape.
USupport (Ukrainian support project) is our core project aimed at assisting the Ukrainian community in Brighton & Hove and Sussex amid the ever-changing immigration, economic, and housing landscape.
Impact: Free Advice and Support
We provide a vital safety net for those navigating the complexities of the UK legal system. Our focus areas include immigration, housing, and welfare benefits, delivered through a tiered support model that ensures every individual gets the right level of expertise.
Project History: Emergency Response and Growth.
Since 2022, we have been a recognised delivery partner for Brighton and Hove City Council, transitioning from an emergency responce group to a registered charity in 2025. In the early years of our operations, our team functioned as a frontline emergency service. During peak demand, we saw over 200 new refugees arrive each month, and our primary focus was providing immediate, direct support to hundreds of families.
While formal systematic tracking of every interaction was introduced much later, we estimate that the total number of consultations delivered since 2022 exceeds 3,000. Our long-standing status as a delivery partner for the City Council's Ukrainian projects reflects our track record of high-impact service.
General Advice & Signposting: Our weekly drop-in clinics offer support in the community’s native language. Our team provides general guidance on living in the UK, homelessness prevention, and navigating social security.
Specialist Legal Consultations: For specific specialist advice, we host sessions with specialists from the city agencies, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Community Engagement & Rights Awareness
We believe that information is the first step toward resolution. We actively monitor official UK government and parliament resources to provide updates on migration law, housing, and benefits. Our digital channels reach over 1,000 community members, ensuring they stay informed of policy changes that affect their lives.
The E-visa and UPE Support Initiative
Launched in October 2024, this initiative helps our community manage the transition to digital status. We are careful to distinguish between legal expertise and technical navigation:
Professional Collaborations: We have hosted two workshops specifically led by legal professionals to provide authoritative guidance on immigration law and the transition to the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE).
Community-Led Technical Support: Our internal team provides practical, non-legal assistance, including two technical workshops, a webinar, and over 98 individual support sessions. These focus on the mechanics of the application—accessing UKVI accounts, form translation, and peer wellbeing support—while ensuring complex cases are signposted to qualified legal advisors.
Practical Resources: We have developed a comprehensive checklist for applicants. This resource is based directly on official government guidance and the collective "lived experience" of our community members who have already navigated the process.
By combining professional legal oversight with accessible, peer-led technical support, Stand for U ensures that our community is supported in crisis and empowered with the tools to resolve legal issues effectively.