The world feels like a very heavy place right now. We all watched in shock as the news broke that Putin had invaded and started a war in Ukraine. As tensions mount and casualties worsen many of us are wondering what we can do to help.

Here are some things you can do to help:

Donate to charities helping people in Ukraine

There are a number of charities who are providing aid, supplies and support to the people of Ukraine. Many are accepting donations to help them further their work. Donating is one way you can help.

Here are some of the charities accepting online donations:

• British Red Cross – The Red Cross is working to support people in Ukraine in this desperate time of need. Your donation could help people in Ukraine get food, water, shelter, medicine and first aid. Find out more and how to donate here.
• Sunflower of Peace – Fundraising to provide medical and humanitarian aid that will be used by doctors and paramedics in the areas affected by the violence in Ukraine. Your donation could help them distribute medicine, first aid backpacks and medical instruments.
• United Help Ukraine – Providing medical and humanitarian relief to the people of Ukraine, affected by the attacks. Their work includes donating food and medical supplies to Ukraine refugees. Find out more and how to donate.
• UNICEF – Working to help and support children in Ukraine, since the conflict began 8 years ago. They are especially concerned for the safety and wellbeing of children who have become separated from their families. Right now they are continuing to support children and families in Ukraine, providing food and clean water and working round the clock to keep families safe. You can donate here.
• International Rescue Committee – Helping Ukrainians who have been forced to flee their homes. Your donation can help them provide families with warm blankets, a cookstove so that they can prepare hot meals and a refugee kit filled with essential supplies.
• #HelpUkraineEmergencyAppeal – Working with accredited and registered Ukrainian charities to provide medicines, food and critical services to support the most vulnerable to overcome the consequences and trauma of war. Find out how to donate here.
• Voice Of Children – A charity in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine who provide support (both practical and psychological) to children who have been caught up in the conflict or separated from their families. Right now they are providing emergency psychological support to children who have witnessed violence and they are helping families move away from the eastern regions of Ukraine. You can donate here.

Donate clothes and items locally

Drop off points are being organised across the UK for people to donate clothes and other items for new arrivals who have fled the Ukraine to a new country. Over 100,000 refugees have crossed the Ukraine border into Poland already. And Polish organisations in the UK are organising collections to help. The White Eagle Club on Balham High Road in London are asking for donations of items they can sort and ship over to Poland. You can donate items such as clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, toiletries and nappies. They need volunteers to sort through donations too. Check your local news outlets and social media to find out if any donation points have been set up in your area.

How to help your child if they are worried about the war in Ukraine

Your child might well have seen things on the news or heard things in the playground about the war in Ukraine and be worrying about what it means. Schools will be talking to children in an age-appropriate way about the conflict. But they still might be worrying.

Ignoring or avoiding the topic could lead to your child feeling more anxious or scared. But it can be hard to know how to talk to your child about a situation, which is very serious and which also makes you anxious and afraid too.

Save the Children has put together some really useful advice on how to talk to your child about the situation in Ukraine. Their tips include:

• Making time to talk to and really listen to your child
• Validating their feelings. You can restate what they are telling you they are feeling by saying things like ‘You are feeling very scared right now’. That way they know that their feelings have not been dismissed and are being listened to.
• Making sure that you talk to them in a way that is appropriate to their age.
• Reassuring them that adults across the world are working really hard to help and sort out the situation.
• Giving them practical ways to help. Older children might like to make drawings about hoping for peace, for example.

Here are the tips from Save the Children about how to talk to your child about the war in Ukraine.

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