This post is also available in: 繁體中文 (Chinese (Traditional))
Brighton and Hove is a unitary authority. This means it has responsibility for both the things which would usually be managed by a county (adult and child social services, education, transportation, or large scale waste disposal) as well as the things which would usually be managed by a district or borough council (things like bin collection, housing and local planning permission etc). For more information on the different sorts of councils in the UK please see – https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/councillor-and-officer-development/councillor-hub/introduction-local-government/how#:~:text=County%20councils%20provide%20services%20that,environmental%20health%2C%20and%20leisure%20facilities.
Local Authority Website:
Please visit this link for the website of Brighton and Hove City Council. You will be able to find official updates, services, and community information. You can also use this link to download the leaflet for the latest serviced offered by the council.
Destitution
As a HK BN(O) if you encounter severe financial difficulties, you might meet the local authority criteria for short term destitution support whilst you apply to have your No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) visa condition lifted (see this link for more details on lifting the NRPF condition).
If you need homelessness support or you are at risk of becoming homeless, a Homelessness Help Desk with Housing staff is available at Bartholomew House.
Open: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm
Address: Bartholomew House, Bartholomew Square, Brighton, BN1 1JE
If you have children, there are Family Hubs across the city – you can find information and family hubs here: Family hubs and what they offer . You can speak to someone from Family Hubs in most languages. Send an email to familyhubs@brighton-hove.gov.uk in your language with a name, telephone number and preferred language. We will phone you back with an interpreter.
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages):
Every HK BN(O) visa holder is eligible to receive up to £850 of English language courses. Please see the below for the contact information of local authority ESOL provider and also access our ESOL page to learn more.
Contact SESPM for further enquiry.
Email: hkenquiries@secouncils.gov.uk
You can also visit the Brighton and Hove City Council’s specific ESOL page for more information.
Local Citizen Advice:
Citizens Advice is an independent organisation specialising in providing confidential advice to assist people with legal, debt, employment related, consumer, housing and other problems in the United Kingdom.
Citizens Advice Bureau – Brighton & Hove
Free Hotline: 08082 78 78 15
Online enquiry: https://brightonhove.refernet.co.uk/self-referral/
https://www.cabrightonhove.org/
Alternatively, SESPM pays for immigration case work support from Citizens Advice North and West Kent (CANWK) for any Hongkonger in the South East, you can visit this link or contact them through hkbnosupport@nwkent.cab.org.uk for more information.
Business:
To access business support, you can contact your local authority, which often has dedicated business support teams or economic development units offering guidance on licensing, permits, local grants, funding, business rates, and more. Additionally, consider connecting with Chambers of Commerce, Growth Hubs, industry associations, and local universities for advice, networking or collaboration opportunities.
Visit the council’s business webpage to explore further information on these topics. The Brighton and Hove BIPC Centre at the Jubilee Library has worked closely with the local Hong Kong community to provide advice and support for those wishing to start their own businesses visit this link for more information.
Also please see SESPM’s own business page to access our handbook on starting a business in the UK, how to write a business plan, determine different legal business structures, finding finances to start a business and business licences and support.
Employment:
The National Careers Service provides career information, advice, and guidance. You can also consult their career advisers online or over the phone. Their website features tools for skill assessments, details on a wide variety of career roles, and information on progression routes. For more details, visit https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/.
Local authorities also provide information, advice and guidance in relation to employment — check out the ‘Get help to find a job‘ webpage for resources about jobs and employment.
Also please see SESPM’s own employment page which has information on converting your professions from HK to UK equivalent for popular professions (Teaching, Nursing, Social work, Physiotherapy, Counsellors) as well as information on where you can volunteer as a path into employment.
Libraries:
It is free to join and enter public libraries in the UK. Apart from borrowing books, using computers and accessing Wifi, you may also find different activities and resources from your local public libraries. You can visit this link for more information on the public libraries in Brighton and Hove.
Here are some of the online resources offered by the Brighton and Hove libraries:
Go citizen: An online study resource that help you prepare for the Life in the UK test or British citizenship test
Theory Test Pro: An online resource that help you prepare for the Driving Theory Test
Sports Clubs/Facilities:
Visit this link to learn more about sports clubs and facilities catering to different interests and abilities in the area.
Volunteering Opportunities:
Explore volunteering opportunities through this link.
Hongkongers Diaspora Organisations:
Connect with fellow Hongkongers and explore activities organised for Hongkongers through your local Hongkongers Diaspora Organisations
Hong Kongers in Brighton
https://www.facebook.com/hongkongerinbrighton/
Councils for Voluntary Service support: Services To Support Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs)
Councils for Voluntary Service (CVS) are organisations that work with the ‘voluntary and community sector’ groups on organisational development, fundraising and business planning. Here is your local CVS in Brighton and Hove:
Organisation: Community Works
Website: https://www.communityworks.org.uk/
