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HOW THE SOUTH EAST WELCOMED NEW ARRIVALS DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF

THE HONG KONG BRITISH NATIONAL OVERSEAS
(HK BNOS) VISA SCHEME.

FUNDING

In Year 1 of the Hong Kong British Nationals Overseas (HK BNOs) Visa scheme £422,000 of funding from the British government was spent on activities helping HK BNOs to integrate into the South East.

The funding was managed by the South East Strategic Partnership for Migration (SESPM), the official Welcome Hub for HK BNOs in the South East.

SESPM created an online Welcome Hub with information for new arrivals from Hong Kong, material for local authorities and an interactive map for Hong Kong BNO visa holders showing where they can access English classes.

In collaboration with Hongkongers in Britain and Citizens Advice North & West Kent, they also created a flow-chart of ‘steps’ to consider prior to coming to the UK, immediately upon arrival and leading up to Indefinite Leave to Remain and Citizenship.

However, the vast majority of this funding went to local authorities in the South East to support new arrivals from Hongkong to settle in their areas. Here are some examples.

SCHOOL EDUCATION

Oxfordshire County Council and Milton Keynes Council focused on supporting extra curricular & supplementary school activities HK BNO children could access.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and Reading Borough Council helped parents of HK BNO Special Educational Needs Children to integrate into the education system.

Wokingham Borough Council translated information on how to apply for school into Traditional Chinese.

MENTAL HEALTH

Kent County Council, Reading Borough Council and focused on helping HK BNO parents to recognise the signs of mental health issues amongst their children.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead supported a Community Bridging project that provided a safe therapeutic space for Hongkongers to talk about their experiences.

EMPLOYMENT & BUSINESS START-UP HELP

Surrey County Council partnered with East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove Councils to provide bespoke training for Hongkongers on how to start a business and find employment. A similar course was also provided by West Berkshire Council through their community learning.

Bracknell Forrest Council and Portsmouth City Council ran job clubs and provided training in how to obtain employment, for example in how to write a CV.

IMMIGRATION ADVICE

Southampton City Council and Kent County Council funded posts within Citizens Advice Bureaus to provide advice to Hongkongers.

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