Services Provided by Social Helpers of the Ukrainian Red Cross

Services Provided by Social Helpers of the Ukrainian Red Cross

What support do social helpers provide?

Our specialists support beneficiaries with household tasks, provide hygiene assistance, offer psychosocial support, and help meet their social needs.

The following individuals are eligible for assistance:

  • Elderly people living alone;
  • Elderly people who lack regular support because their relatives have relocated due to the war in Ukraine or are currently serving in the military;
  • Elderly people residing in temporary shelters for internally displaced persons;
  • People with disabilities.

Beneficiaries may belong to the following vulnerability categories:

  • Category I – Non-mobile: individuals who are bedridden or have no lower limbs and are fully dependent on others for personal and domestic care.
  • Category II – Limited mobility: individuals who can move short distances with the help of mobility aids (such as a cane, wheelchair, or crutches) and are partially dependent on others for personal and domestic care due to health conditions.
  • Category III – Mobile: individuals who can walk short distances and take care of themselves, but live far from essential infrastructure (particularly medical facilities and pharmacies) or are unable to reach these independently.

According to the agreement between the beneficiary and the Ukrainian Red Cross, social helpers provide the following services:

  • Companionship and emotional support;
  • Cleaning the home, washing dishes, and similar household tasks;
  • Assistance with changing bed linen and personal clothing;
  • Meal preparation;
  • Help with maintaining personal hygiene;
  • Shopping for groceries, medicines, and other essential items;
  • Provision of humanitarian aid from the Ukrainian Red Cross (e.g. food or hygiene kits);
  • First aid or psychological first aid, if required;
  • Supply of mobility aids (such as crutches, walking sticks, or canes);
  • Other services, including restoring family links, addressing social or day-to-day issues, transportation, and more;
  • Solid fuel delivery;
  • Bringing/carrying water;

How to become a beneficiary of the Home-Based Care programme?

To become a beneficiary of the Home-Based Care programme, please contact the Ukrainian Red Cross hotline: 0 800 332 656.

Alternatively, you can contact your nearest local Ukrainian Red Cross office: https://redcross.org.ua/contacts/

After receiving your request, a representative from the Ukrainian Red Cross will visit your home to assess your needs and living conditions. The Home-Based Care team will then make a decision. A beneficiary may be someone who:

  • falls within the defined categories and target groups;;
  • lives in an area where social helpers are available;
  • is not currently receiving support from government social services or other service providers.

You will be informed of the outcome within one month. If your request for services is not accepted, this will not affect your eligibility for other assistance from the Ukrainian Red Cross.