Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Welcome Programme: Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Year 3 (2023/2024) grant schemes
Published 26 June 2023
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List of successful grant recipients across the voluntary, community, and social enterprise year 3 grant schemes (subject to grant funding agreements), including information regarding the services available and links to the Strategic Migration Partnership Welcome Hubs.
Hate Crime Reporting Service
Organisation: Protection Approaches
Funding: £400,000
Summary of project: On Your Side is the UK-wide support and reporting service for East and Southeast Asian communities who experience racism and/or any forms of hate. The service includes a 24/7 freephone helpline available in East and Southeast Asian languages; a website with reporting forms and resources; and ongoing community-based support delivered by trained casework advocates. On Your side has community members at the centre. That means anyone can feel safe using the service. Unless somebody is in danger, we will never pass on anything we have been told to anybody else without permission.
Funded by the UK Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, On Your Side is delivered by a consortium of 9 organisations including East and Southeast Asian led community groups alongside national hate crime reporting and hate crime prevention organisations.
This is a UK-wide service. Over the course of the project, we will be delivering awareness raising sessions with East and Southeast Asian community groups across the UK.
Contact information: Call free on 0808 801 0393 or visit on your side to complete an online form or use webchat.
National projects
Organisation: Hongkongers in Britain Limited
Funding: £300,000
Summary of project: Hongkongers in Britain (HKB) and 7 national/regional VCSEs will continue delivering Mission PERM with the addition of CARE, providing UK-wide support for BN(O) integration in line with the high-level outcomes of the Hong Kong BN(O) Welcome Programme. Mission PERM’s strategic focuses are on key pillars of integration during initial settlement and evolving needs of the BN(O) community:
- encouraging Participation in local community life
- facilitating Employment
- building community Relationships
- safeguarding Mental health/wellbeing
With CARE:
- enhancing Civic participation and engagement
- assisting Access to schools and education
- enabling access to Resources on housing, physical health and destitution
- support to and Empowering youth, elderly and vulnerable sub-groups
Consortium partners:
- Hackney Chinese Community Services
- Hong Kong Assistance and Resettlement Community
- Hong Kong Scots CIC (Scottish Hongkongers)
- Kowloonshire
- Northern Ireland Council for Racial Equality
- Renaisi
- Trafford Hongkongers
Contact: hongkongersinbritain@protonmail.com
Organisation: Barnardo’s
Funding: £300,000
Summary of project: Barnardo’s is the UK’s largest children’s charity. Every year Barnardo’s help over 300,000 children, young people and their families. Barnardo’s run services in all 4 UK nations which range from help for young people, counselling and therapeutic support, and advice and support to refugees and asylum seekers.
Boloh is a national helpline offering support to Hong Kong British Nationals residing in the UK. Helpline advisors provide advice on a wide range of issues e.g., housing, employment, education, accessing health services, etc. Barnardo’s can also provide much needed practical and therapeutic support. The service is available for all BN(O) holders including young people, parents and adults. Helpline advisors and trained therapists/counsellors deliver support in English and Cantonese. In addition, the helpline offers national and regional online conversation clubs. The helpline is available via freephone, email or webchat (Monday-Saturday). Professionals can make direct referrals via our website.
Contact: boloh.helpline@barnardos.org.uk / 0800 151 2605
The helpline is open Monday to Friday (10am-8pm), and Saturday (10-3pm).
Organisation: Good Neighbour Church
Funding: £300,000
Summary of project: Good Neighbour Church England (GNCE) was registered in the UK as a Charity Incorporated Organisation in August 2021. We are committed to taking care of Hongkongers and aim to help them adapt to the new environment by providing physical, mental, and spiritual support, while building a strong-bonded community.
Our key themes of support for our national programme 2023 are: mental health, social integration, professional integration, employability, education, access to advice and services. By running various events and activities nationally, we hope to reach our fellow Hongkongers at all age range to make them feel supported in settling their new lives in the UK.
Contact: gnce.national@gmail.com
Organisation: Welcoming Committee for Hong Kongers
Funding: £170,921
Summary of project: Our aims and objectives are to coordinate and strengthen efforts to support Hong Kongers to settle in the UK. We will do this through working with a wide range of organisations and individuals, from civil society, communities, business, education, and government. We are BN(O) led and will continue to carry out its impactful programme of engagement and research.
To help ensure that our work on capacity and capability building addresses salient issues, and also pressing issues to sections of the community, we will survey stakeholder organisations at two stages of the project.
Our research programme will seek to understand two issues in greater depth: access to employment and cost of living and prevention of poverty and destitution. Methods will include focus groups and individual interviews with BNOs, and interviews with employers and representative organisations.
The communications team will work alongside partner organisations to broadcast the work of welcome, supporting them to enhance their capacity and reach.
Contact: info@welcomehk.org
Regional projects
London
Organisation: Groundwork London
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: Groundwork London’s programme provides a relaxed and friendly environment to support Hong Kong BNOs to build their confidence and gain useful skills for their life in the UK.
Our programme supports people from Hong Kong by providing:
- English language sessions
- Community activity workshops
- Employment advice
We offer both group and one-to-one sessions, in-person and online.
Contact: impactlondon@groundwork.org.uk / 07963 054 961
Organisation: Hackney Chinese Community Services Association Limited
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: This project aims to development services supporting Hongkongers who are at risk of or in destitution. The project aims to:
- raise the awareness amongst HKBN(O)s to raise the awareness on destitution support and to develop services to support their access to services
- work with 11 London boroughs to develop services and procedures in destitution prevention and in accessing destitution support
- work with Hongkonger organisations and CVSE organisation with NRPF specialist services to widen the community supports to HKBNOs to avert from becoming destitute. We envisage that the three work streams will progress simultaneously. Their development will feed into each other, and we aim to produce information pact toward a better system or co-ordination between services as and when progress is made
Contact: info@Hackneychinese.org.uk / https://www.hackneychinese.org.uk/
Organisation: LifeLine Community Projects
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: Café Connect is a weekly activity café that offers a range of activities and opportunities designed to promote integration and support BN(O) Hong Kongers to connect with and settle into their new communities.
Café Connect is coordinated by the FaithAction network of local faith-based and community groups. It is delivered by trained volunteers from the BN(O) and local communities and provides a range of activities, classes, information sharing, signposting, 1:1 support, and meet and greet sessions with local service providers.
Contact: https://cafeconnect.faithaction.net (an online contact form can be found on the main project webpage)
Organisation: Harbour Sports Club CIC
Funding: £31,000
Summary of project: Harbour Sports Club will launch a series of activities to keep the community active and promote social support and bonding through sports. These include regular yoga classes and community runs, webinars on health and sports-related topics, and the London Sports Day, which is a whole-day carnival of various sports activities to promote health consciousness and social cohesion.
Contact: info@harboursc.co.uk
Organisation: Sutton Borough Volunteer Bureau
Funding: £39,099
Summary of project: Integrating Sutton is a project dedicated to the social integration of BN(O)s who have arrived in the London Borough of Sutton from Hong Kong. The project consists of 4 key areas:
- Welcome to the UK course informative events - providing opportunities to develop English language skills and integrate into Sutton.
- Job course - that will support people around employment within the UK, how to prepare a CV and letter writing, interview techniques and preparing for work.
- Hong Kong buddies and volunteering - supports a number of key themes, including developing English, integration into the local community with matched buddies and extra support to the newly arrived older generation, to reduce isolation and offer opportunities.
- Outreach and events - enable Hong Kongers to explore their local area, practice their English language and to enjoy new experiences as a group.
Contact: hello@vcsutton.org.uk / frennieip@vcsutton.org.uk / or 020 8661 5900
Organisation: Islington Chinese Association
Funding: £38,900
Summary of project: ICA’s Welcome Hongkongers Programme focuses on providing Induction, promoting Cohesion and facilitating Adaptation:
- to learn/improve spoken English language skills both formally and informally in applying for jobs, socialising and communicating with the wider community
- providing help/advice/referral/signposting regarding retraining to access/advance employment opportunities or change of career; housing; children’s education etc
- orientation in accessing public services; tax; legal awareness; civic duties/responsibilities; health care; wellbeing resources/support, in particular, mentally related issues, for example, depression, anxiety, loneliness etc
- integration support to build connection with the host community in understanding shared values and learning British and diverse cultures and life in the London, UK, through volunteering and networking events
- improving self-esteem and confidence
- integrating into the established Chinese community through different social and cultural activities in learning the early Chinese migration history and how that can complement the new Hong Kongers’ settling in the UK
Contact: 020 7263 5986 / info@islingtonchinese.com / Facebook – Islington Chinese Association
Organisation: 5 E Ltd
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: 5E’s START-WELL project will support Hong Kong BN(O)’s and their dependents from key London boroughs with an emphasis to welcome and integrate them into Life in the UK. START-WELL will provide activities for early intervention, citizenship, enrichment and integration through IAG, individual needs analysis, workshops for settling in the UK including Life in the UK, information on accessing housing, health, welfare benefits, employer know-how, ‘Life in the UK’ and ‘Adapting to UK Life’, trips to places of interest, mentoring and coaching translation, budding and befriending opportunities with UK ambassadors/ welcome hubs/ referral organisations especially in Harrow and Barnet.
Participants will be offered accredited and non-accredited qualifications in ESOL, functional skills, numeracy/ literacy, vocational skills and other wrap around support including customised workshops to offer suitable opportunities in work experience, volunteering, further education, training and paid employment to integrate them into UK social, cultural and economic life as a responsible citizen.
Contact: Raj Doshi, www.fivee.co.uk
Organisation: Hong Kong Aid Services CIC
Funding: £39,998
Summary of project: Hong Kong Aid is a UK-based organisation focusing on human rights issues and the well-being of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. We aim to build cohesion amongst Hongkongers in the UK.
In this project, we focus on:
- mental health and destitution support
- employment support
- empower the BN(O)s to integrate into the local communities
We identified the service gaps between Hongkongers and local service providers, including out-of-hour support and language barriers. By late-night helpline and bilingual networking events, we can fill the gaps and facilitate the integration of BN(O)s within the community.
We know how Hongkongers feel and what they think when arriving in a new environment. We strategically link up the group and enhance mutual support.
For the summary in Hongkongese, please refer to https://www.hkaid.org.uk/
Contact: info@hkaid.org.uk / Late-night helpline (9pm - 2am): 020 8432 3286
Organisation: Action West London
Funding: £37,499
Summary of project: Action West London will support Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders in overcoming employment barriers. We will offer established services in employment, education, and enterprise to Hong Kong Nationals in west London. The goal is to help with CVs, job search, applications, and interview skills, including training in social skills, IT, English language, and communication.
We will address challenges faced by Hong Kongers in finding suitable employment in the UK due to differences in qualifications and job requirements. To address this, a tailored programme of one-to-one and group support, work experience placements, and employability training will be provided over 8-10 weeks. Each person will receive up to 10 hours of intensive support. We will deploy a Contracts Manager who provide ongoing assistance to help the individuals to make positive choices for the future. Stakeholders and partners will be involved through networking, staff recruitment, work placements, and connections with local companies.
Contact: 020 8 993 9605 / info@actionwestlondon.org.uk
Organisation: Hong Kong Well UK
Funding: £39,810
Summary of project: Hong Kong Well UK advocates mental health of children and parents recently migrated to UK from Hong Kong, offering bespoke counselling support, advice and services in Cantonese and English through a holistic approach with “child and parents centred mentality”. Prevention, intervention and empowerment are the three main areas that we offer to children, adolescents, and their parents with the following services:
- Being the contact point/helpline for parents who have concerns about the mental wellbeing for their children/ adolescents due to their adaption to the new life in the UK.
- Receiving enquiries and being listeners for the parents who share their stories.
- Offering online triage assessments.
- Offering 1:1 counselling sessions in Cantonese/English by our UK registered professions.
- Equipping and empowering parents with knowledge/tips on mental wellbeing via our Free online webinars. HK Well is here to walk alongside parents to improve their children/adolescents’ mental wellbeing.
Contact: help@hongkongwell.uk / https://hongkongwell.uk / Facebook
Organisation: Hong Kong Nursing Association UK
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: Hong Kong Nursing Association UK is a non-profit professional organisation since 2021. Our aims are, via membership, to connect HK nurses planning to migrate or already in the UK, to provide them with career information and pastoral care support in order to enhance employability and local community integration.
Our project aims to deliver a pop-up market at designated areas in London. This is a pilot project for Hong Kong British National Overseas (BNOs) visa holders who have recently arrived in London. Our key deliverables are to support Hong Kong BNOs new families in areas such as employment, mental health and wellbeing, English language, ‘buddying’ or ‘befriending’ schemes, help to access local services and support, as well as to build the capacity of the sector to support community cohesion and bring sustainable benefits to newcomers and the communities where they settle.
Contact: contact@hknauk.org
Organisation: Renaisi
Funding: £39,996
Summary of project: Renaisi has more than 20 years’ experience of tackling social and economic exclusion and an effective model for supporting Hongkongers, developed by learning from participants and adapting support to meet their needs. We prevent destitution and socio-economic exclusion by preparing participants to make
informed decisions about progressing their careers in the UK, equipping them with tools and vital information, and rebuilding their confidence. We offer:
- High quality one-to-one career coaching. Coaching was the key enabling factor in delivering positive outcomes in previous cohorts.
- Flexible English language provision to build confidence speaking English in work and social settings so language is no longer a barrier to work.
- Group employability and peer community-building workshops to support participants from arrival in the UK to employment readiness.
- Employability workshops hosted by our employer partners to practice key skills in a safe learning environment as well as build confidence speaking English over networking.
Contact: Rebecca Spruce, Project Co-ordinator r.spruce@renaisi.com
West Midlands
Organisation: St Francis Employability
Funding: £39,723
Summary of project: St Francis Employability works to support people towards a thriving and fulfilling life through training, advice and volunteering. Our BNO project is designed to strengthen BNO’S access to employment, by providing an employment package that includes; CV and interview skills workshops, one to one support with applying for jobs, assistance with sourcing volunteering/work experience placements, and an in-depth understanding of employment market within the UK.
Contact: support@stfcov.org / 02476 266010 or 07555 607575
Organisation: Groundwork West Midlands
Funding: £36,068
Summary of project: This project will work with Hongkongers across the West Midlands region, supporting them in the following key themes:
- integration into their local communities
- access employment opportunities
- develop English language skills
We will also facilitate and encourage participation in local community life by developing confidence and building connections to local communities, specifically working with Hongkongers settling around the West Midlands.
Contact: Pundeep.kaur@groundwork.org.uk / 07712 931228
Organisation: The Refugee and Migrant Centre (Limited): Black Country and Birmingham
Funding: £39,644
Summary of project: RMC’s project aims to support the integration of BN(O) status holders by assisting them to overcome barriers, which hinder settlement, and positively participate in British society, both socially and economically. We will do this through focusing on language proficiency and employability. Our ‘Everyday Communication’ courses will offer phonics and pronunciation guidance to facilitate greater clarity of BN(O)s when conversing and improve their confidence in mixing with people of all backgrounds. Our Employability courses will support BN(O)s to become more job-ready through increasing their knowledge of the UK employment market and assisting them into work.
Contact: bno@rmcentre.org.uk / www.rmcentre.org.uk
Organisation: Positive Youth Foundation (PYF)
Funding: £38,537
Summary of project: Our project focuses on providing comprehensive support to young British National Overseas (BNO) individuals in Coventry and Warwickshire. We address key themes such as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and after-school homework clubs. Additionally, we offer weekly sports sessions to promote physical activity and access to a range of youth work activities and opportunities. Our aim is to facilitate a smooth and positive integration journey for BNO young people, supporting their mental health, social integration, educational progress, and employability. By providing a holistic range of services, we strive to empower BNO youth and enhance their overall well-being in their new community.
Contact: info@positiveyouthfoundation.org / obayed@positiveyouthfoundation.org / www.positiveyouthfoundation.org
Yorkshire & Humber
Organisation: LifeLine Community Projects
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: Café Connect is a weekly activity café that offers a range of activities and opportunities designed to promote integration and support BN(O) Hong Kongers to connect with and settle into their new communities.
Café Connect is coordinated by the FaithAction network of local faith-based and community groups. It is delivered by trained volunteers from the BN(O) and local communities and provides a range of activities, classes, information sharing, signposting, 1:1 support, and meet and greet sessions with local service providers.
Contact: https://cafeconnect.faithaction.net (An online contact form can be found on the main project webpage)
Organisation: Strings of life
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: The project aims to help BN(O)s settle into their new life in the UK with happiness, prosperity, and a sense of belongings. The project caters to the needs of the BN(O)s in three stages: landing, struggling, and integrating. It aims to support at least 1000 BN(O)s throughout their settling journey in the UK.
The landing stage involves immediate assistance with assessing housing, healthcare, education, and daily necessities.
The struggling stage includes English language development for employment and support to sub-groups, including children, youth, men, women, and the elderly, with mental health issues, education challenges, discrimination, and social exclusion.
The integrating stage is to help BN(O)s integrate into their local communities, build English language skills for socializing, and include them in the development plan of the Leeds City Region. The stage’s focus is on upskilling talent, transforming professionals, and directing investment.
Contact: stringsoflife@hotmail.co.uk
Organisation: Leeds Umbrella CIC
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: “Learn, Practice and Start Your Own Business” (LEPSOB) Initiative
- Five informal English-speaking lessons. The lessons will focus on practical work-related speaking skills in the food business.
- Two business webinars in Cantonese to cover the knowledge about starting up a food business in Yorkshire.
- Start a food stall to sell Hong Kong-style street food and drinks. Students will be provided practical opportunities at the food stall after completing activities 1 and 2.
- Collaborate with Investing in People and Culture (IPC) in running “Hong Kong Tea House” gatherings monthly. Participants of LEPSOB and BN(O)s are invited to join.
- Continuous support for BN(O)s interested in starting their own food/catering business or working in the industry.
- Host celebration events for 4 important Hong Kong/UK festivals. The food stall will prepare and provide traditional food in keeping with the celebrations.
Contact: leedsumbrellacic@gmail.com / www.leedsumbrellacic.co.uk / Facebook
Organisation: PATH Yorkshire
Funding: £19,937
Summary of project: The ‘Path to Work’ project will support BNO from Hong Kong to apply for jobs and improve their English skills for work.
We deliver English for Work course will help you understand the working culture in UK, includes good CV writing, jobseeking, job applications, and interview techniques. You can also join our sector-specific courses to prepare you to certain types of work, such as retail, customer service, admin, and others.
We will provide you information, advice and guidance for career or job opportunities in UK based on your individual skills. We will help you address your training needs and qualification conversions if needed to improve with your employment chances.
Contact us to discuss your needs and work goals.
Contact: Jessica.thompson@pathyorkshire.co.uk / www.pathyorkshire.co.uk
East of England
Organisation: LifeLine Community Projects
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: Café Connect is a weekly activity café that offers a range of activities and opportunities designed to promote integration and support BN(O) Hong Kongers to connect with and settle into their new communities.
Café Connect is coordinated by the FaithAction network of local faith-based and community groups. It is delivered by trained volunteers from the BN(O) and local communities and provides a range of activities, classes, information sharing, signposting, 1:1 support, and meet and greet sessions with local service providers.
Contact: https://cafeconnect.faithaction.net (An online contact form can be found on the main project webpage)
Organisation: UK welcomes Refugees
Funding: £39,400
Summary of project: UK Welcomes Refugees, a UK charity with vision to build up a more welcoming world for all. UK Welcome HongKongers is an integration project in Cambridgeshire region under the umbrella of UK Welcomes Refugees.
The project activities are based on four dimensions: 1) Socio-economic security; 2) Social Cohesion; 3) Social Inclusion; and 4) Social Empowerment. Six key areas of activities are identified from the above four dimensions:
- Post-arrival orienting and training to BN(O) communities.
- Providing direct support.
- Facilitating labour market inclusion.
- Raising awareness and countering xenophobia.
- Promoting social mixing between BN(O) communities and Cambridge communities.
- Conducting social survey and analysis for programme development.
This project takes a ‘whole-of-community’ approach and covers critical phases of the migration continuum, as well as BN(O) inclusion and cohesion interventions, to ensure maximum effectiveness and benefit diverse populations in Cambridgeshire region.
Contact: hei@ukwelcomesrefugees.org / https://ukwelcomesrefugees.org/uk-welcomes-hong-kongers/
Organisation: Dacorum Council for Voluntary Service
Funding: £19,880
Summary of project: Our project aims to provide help and support to adults settling in West Hertfordshire who hold BN(O) status to integrate into their new communities, identify opportunities for employment and maintain good health and wellbeing.
We will provide a range of courses and activities that are designed to improve skills for employment, build confidence and social integration such as ESOL, job search, digital skills, fitness, and crafts.
Contact: Learning@communityactiondacorum.org.uk / 01442 253935 and ask for the Training and Development department / www.communityactiondacorum.org.uk
South East
Organisation: Guildford Hongkongers
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: Guildford Hongkongers has been serving the Hongkongers community in Guildford and the surrounding areas for the last couple of years. In this project, we will continue our work in Surrey, including but not limited to:
- providing Informative service in accessing local resources and general enquiries
- hosting practical workshops in responding to Hongkongers integration needs
- hosting thematic seminars with information and guidance to BN(O)s and their dependents
- arranging English language skills training and workshops for developing skills for employment and socialising
- arranging language and culture classes and/or training to preserve culture and identity
- building community relationships through social events and hobby classes
- providing support services in Cantonese
- we are working with the local authorities and other organisations
Contact: guildfordhongkongers@gmail.com / www.facebook.com/GuildfordHongkongers
Organisation: Options Wellbeing Trust
Funding: £33,247
Summary of project: Options Wellbeing will be providing a project that will support Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders with their mental health and wellbeing via our well-established counselling, psychotherapeutic and wellbeing residing in Southampton.
Our aim is to help clients understand and feel more in control of their emotions surrounding their move to a new country and who may feel displaced, unsafe and who have left their trusted support networks behind in Hong Kong. We provide clients with the tools and strategies to manage trauma, loss, anxiety, trigger/stressors, social anxiety or depression etc. so they can better to support themselves, feel more connected and settle effectively in their communities.
Contact: Wendy Lee: 023 8063 0219 / https://optionswellbeing.co.uk/counselling-and-therapy-support/
Organisation: Harbour Sports Club CIC
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: Harbour Sports Club will launch a series of activities to keep the community active and promote social support and bonding through sports. These include regular yoga classes and community runs, webinars on health and sports-related topics, and the Reading Sports Day, which is a whole-day carnival of various sports activities to promote health consciousness and social cohesion.
Contact: info@harboursc.co.uk / https://www.harboursc.co.uk/
Organisation: Milton Keynes Chinese Christian Church
Funding: £30,370
Summary of project: MKCCC has a large Cantonese congregation with many HK BNO recent arrivals. We have a vibrant and welcoming community providing various targeted supports for new arrivals in the Milton Keynes area. These include social integration, access to advice and information, youth works, support groups for women, men and seniors.
Contact: info@mkccc.org.uk / Phone/WhatsApp: +44 (0) 737 626 4567
Organisation: Citizens Advice in North & West Kent (CANWK)
Funding: £37, 099
Summary of project: Citizens Advice in North & West Kent (CANWK) are supporting Hong Kong BN(O) status holders settle and access advice and support services in Kent. We will be delivering free 1:1 and online group general and immigration advice sessions.
We are also working in partnership with HKBrits to deliver social and integration events, such as a Lunar New Year event, Family Community Social event and Local Kent Services event. We will also be delivering a series of employment workshops.
Further in-dept information about Kent services and settling in Kent will be made available on the HKBrits website. In addition, we will continue running our regular online monthly HK Group, made up of Kent-based HK organisations. The group aims to build relationships, share information and update each other about local Kent events/services and support available to the HK community.
If you are interested in joining the Kent HK group, please email hkbnosupport@nwkent.cab.org.uk.
Contact: Indrani.currie@nwkent.cab.org.uk / www.citizensadvicenwk.org.uk/local-advice-and-support/hong-kong-british-community/
Organisation: Oxfordshire Hongkongers CIC
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: Our organisation supports the Hong Kong BN(O) community in Oxfordshire during their transition to the UK. We address challenges in language, employment, mental well-being, and children services. We promote successful integration through community engagement, including volunteering and community gatherings. Our goal is to empower the Hong Kong BN(O) community, foster a sense of belonging, and facilitate their integration into the UK.
Contact: oxfordhkers@gmail.com / Oxfordshire Hongkongers Signal Group: https://oxhk.uk/go/updates / https://oxhk.uk/
South West
Organisation: St Sidwell’s Centre
Funding: £27,250
Summary of project: Support for HK BN(O)s in Exeter and Devon with English language; employability; volunteering opportunities; social integration; cultural activities; mental health and wellbeing support.
Contact: 01392 666 222 / christine@stsidwells.org.uk /naomi@stsidwells.org.uk / www.stsidwells.org.uk
Organisation: The Groundwork South Trust Ltd
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: IMPACT is a project by Groundwork South which supports refugees and non-EU migrants to settle into life in Bristol and surrounding areas. We offer a holistic programme of activities focussing on three key strands: language, employment, and culture.
Contact: For more information or to register to our services, you can email us at impactbristol@groundwork.org.uk or call/text/WhatsApp Asia (07736 132 450) or Muna (07702 532 767)
Organisation: Options Wellbeing Trust
Funding: £32,747
Summary of project: Options Wellbeing will be providing a project that will support Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders with their mental health and wellbeing via our well-established counselling, psychotherapeutic and wellbeing residing in Bournemouth.
Our aim is to help clients understand and feel more in control of their emotions surrounding their move to a new country and who may feel displaced, unsafe and who have left their trusted support networks behind in Hong Kong. We provide clients with the tools and strategies to manage trauma, loss, anxiety, trigger/stressors, social anxiety or depression etc. so they can better to support themselves, feel more connected and settle effectively in their communities.
Contact: Wendy Lee: 023 8063 0219 / https://optionswellbeing.co.uk/counselling-and-therapy-support/
North West
Organisation: Trafford Hongkongers CIC
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: Our project Development, Health & Digital Integration 2023 (DHDI) supports BN(O) visa holders, particularly children, parents and the elderly, to integrate into their local communities.
DHDI covers 5 cities/towns in North West England:
- Bury
- Lancaster
- Preston
- Trafford
- Warrington
DHDI consists of three sub-projects:
- pupil’s integration and psychological wellness
- the integration into the community through experiencing martial arts
- digital integration
If you would like to receive our latest information and join our events, please follow us on Eventbrite.
Contact : traffordhongkongers@gmail.com / www.traffordhongkongers.co.uk
Organisation: Hong Kong Cultural Community C.I.C.
Funding: £26,120
Summary of project: Hong Kong Cultural Community C.I.C., a not-for-profit organisation based in Greater Manchester, is dedicated to promoting Hongkongers’ culture and facilitating their integration into the local community. Our upcoming programmes include -
Cooking classes on Hong Kong and British cuisine: inviting both locals and Hongkongers to cook and taste each other’s cuisine.
Cantonese-English Language exchange programme: to facilitate English learning and cultural integration through fun activities such as pub quiz, dimsum tasting, mahjong and more.
Stand-up Paddling Socials: opportunities for Hongkongers to get moving and mingle in nature.
Volunteer award scheme: volunteering efforts encouraged through an award scheme.
Happy Friday Pint/Cuppa: mental health advice offered in a relaxing setting of an after-work social.
Contact: info@hkcc.org.uk / https://linktr.ee/hkculturalcommunity
Organisation: Jobs for Hong Kongers
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: “United for Hong Kong” is an initiative delivered in the North-West by The Growth Company – A non-for-profit social enterprise based in Manchester.
The initiative allows North-West based employers to post job vacancies on our website job board free of charge (some restrictions on roles apply). This will create a searchable list of job opportunities which will specifically be advertised to the Hong Kong BN(O) community in the North-West. The website can be translated into Cantonese and contains a directory of different support services in the North-West as well as Right to Work information and answers to helpful FAQs.
Through the initiative – website visitors will be able to directly contact a Cantonese speaking Support Worker through a dedicated telephone/e-mail service. This will allow people to be supported with job applications, get advice about CVs or interviews, and help with general queries related to the job market in the North-West.
Contact: employment@growthco.uk
Organisation: Vauxhall Community Law and Information Centre
Funding: £30,000
Summary of project: Our project seeks to provide an accessible, friendly and helpful advice and support service for Hong Kong BN(O) Visa holders settled in the North West Region, with a focus on the Liverpool City Region. The project will deliver advice face to face, via telephone and online. Advice given will be available in both English and Cantonese.
Our advice service for this project will focus on housing and renting rights including advice on destitution for BN(O) Visa holders. The advice and support we aim to provide will be in line with the regional priorities set out by the North West Regional Strategic Migration Partnership. We also aim to offer guidance and resources on accessing a range of third- and public-sector services. Again, this information will be available online with support from our project worker to discuss any issues face to face.
Contact: Advice@vauxhalllawcentre.org.uk / https://www.vauxhalllawcentre.org.uk/
Organisation: Wai Yin Society
Funding: £39,990
Summary of project: Our project will support participants to take part in positive integration activities such as mental wellbeing, family support etc through our extensive and longstanding relationships and partnership working with a wide range organisations who represent the many communities that make up the Greater Manchester (GM) population which reflect wider British society.
Opportunities to volunteer, meet and experience culture, traditions, music, art and food of many ethnic groups, including the white British community, many different religious groups and wide range of nationalities represented, will give participants a greater understanding of the GM area, the UK as a whole and British values, as well as building individual relationships which will help them to settle into the area that they are living in and prevent social isolation. Participants will be supported to share their experiences, celebrations, food, art and music, building pride and confidence in their positive contribution to the UK’s culture and traditions.
Contact: Gahmei Cheng: gahmei_cheng@waiyin.org.uk / Christine Sin: christine_sin@waiyin.org.uk / info@waiyin.org.uk / 0161 833 0377 / www.waiyin.org.uk
Organisation: Cheshire Halton & Warrington Race & Equality Centre
Funding: £39,971
Summary of project: Our project officers offer one to one support, advice and signposting to help Hong Kongers through the BNO scheme to navigate UK systems and ultimately settle in the UK. They also organise local events and seminars on key themes such as employment, health, and immigration to give Hong Kongers the information and links they need to establish themselves in the area. The project also provides lots of opportunities for integration through provision of conversation clubs and social events to support wellbeing and good mental health.
Contact: Lionel Lee, Project Officer – lionel@chawrec.org.uk 07501 801984 / Lydia Tsang, Project Officer – lydia@chawrec.org.uk 07919 417274 / www.chawrec.org.uk
East Midlands
Organisation: Broxtowe Community Projects (BCP)
Funding: £39,900
Summary of project: Broxtowe Community Projects is establishing a community centre where BNO’s can receive a welcome, learn about their new home and access support with Learning English, finding friendship, social integration, and a programme of cultural, educational, pastoral and networking events.
Contact: Broxtowe.CP@gmail.com / https://www.facebook.com/BroxtoweCommunityProjects/
Organisation: Groundwork Five Counties
Funding: £40,000
Summary of project: Groundwork will work with Hongkongers, supporting them to integrate into their communities and access multiple services, including:
1. Accessing mental health & wellbeing support:
- signposting to mental health support services
- improving wellbeing and integration through connections to volunteering and social activities, building confidence and skills, reducing loneliness and social isolation.
2. Integrate into local communities:
- enabling Hongkongers to become involved in local social and volunteer opportunities.
- match people with volunteer positions
- developing skills to support employment goals, developing CVs and giving sense of purpose in their communities
- support people to become befrienders to help others reduce social isolation
3. Access employment:
- break down barriers Hongkongers experience when accessing employment
- 1-2-1 employment advice to break down barriers to accessing employment, including support writing CVs, job search, interview preparation, qualification conversions and training
- support people into sustainable employment to match skills/experience
Contact: HK-BNO@groundworknottingham.org.uk
Organisation: Reach (EMCF)
Funding: £22,840
Summary of project: The focus will be on welcoming and integrating new arrivals from Hong Kong in Derby and Nottingham. The project already has experienced personnel in place with knowledge and skills of working cross culturally, especially with BNOs. Project areas include:
- a welcome and befriending programme using local volunteers to visit and help orientate new arrivals, aided by resources from local partners -delivering a 6 week welcome course, which includes understanding British Culture, making friends, well-being, problem solving and citizenship
- volunteer led English language conversation groups
- monthly social activities -British cultural activities such as New Year and Christmas celebrations and local places of interest (Chatsworth House/Sherwood Forest) -bi-annual large celebrations in each area to help BNO’s meet others from the local area with a mix of Hong Kong and British Culture
- bi-monthly sports and social activities for young people
Contact: hkbno@reachonline.org
North East
Organisation: Investing in People and Culture (IPC)
Funding: £39,854
Summary of project: According to the UN, “Housing is the basis of stability and security for an individual or family”. For recently arriving Hong Kongers in the UK, a good experience with housing provides the foundation for successful settlement.
IPC’s ‘Housing Alliance for Hongkongers’ aims to remove barriers that may limit Hongkongers’ access to adequate housing, and to use the development of adequate housing as a foundation for social and economic opportunities.
It will do this primarily through:
- an online housing information and support hub with community-driven resources
- coffee mornings and dim sum to connect Hongkongers with housing support officers, landlords, investors, and health & safety experts
- volunteering days providing hands-on experience to develop knowledge and skills and to extend links into local communities
Contact: www.housinghk.org / www.i-p-c.org / info@housinghk.org
Organisation: North East Hongkongers Club
Funding: £19,400
Summary of project: This project aims to support the integration of BN(O) status holders and their dependants by providing opportunities for professional development, social engagement and mental health support for adults in North East England.
Our project focuses on three key areas:
- Professional Development: To subsidise five BN(O) status holders to receive formal CELTA training to be qualified EFL tutors.
- Mental Health Support: To promote awareness and improve the well-being of BN(O) status adults affected by mental health issues.
- Social Engagement: To organise a monthly mini carnival to provide an opportunity for the BN(O) community to connect with others and build social networks.
Contact: http://www.nehk.org/ / info@nehk.org