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Oxford is a city council. This means it has responsibility for things like bin collection, housing and local planning permission, you can contact the council. If you wish to speak to someone about things like wider services which cover the whole county such as adult and child social services, education, transportation ( local bus services) or large scale waste disposal you would need to contact the Oxfordshire County Council. Most of your council tax goes to the county council to support the services they provide. 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 Oxford City Council. You will be able to find official updates, services, and community information.
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). You are more likely to meet the local authority’s destitution criteria if you have children or are an adult with care or mental health needs. If this happens to you please contact the Housing Needs Team through this link who will be able to advise you as to next steps. If you are not able to access the support you need, you can also speak with hkesol@oxfordshire.gov.uk .
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages):
A funding is made available to local authorities to enable HK BN(O) to access ESOL courses of up to £850 for free. Please see the below for the contact information of local authority ESOL provider and also access our ESOL page to learn more.
For more information about accessing ESOL in Oxfordshire: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/children-education-and-families/education-and-learning/adult-learning/english-hong-kong-bnos
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. Please see the below for the contact information of your local authority Citizen Advice :
Citizens Advice Oxford
Phone: 0808 278 7909
Online form: https://www.citizensadviceoxford.org.uk/get-advice/email-us/
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.
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 Employment Support Project 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.
The library service in Oxford is run by Oxfordshire County Council. Please use this link to take you to the relevant page on the Oxfordshire County Council website where you can find out about library services.
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
To be updated soon
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 Oxfordshire:
Organisation: Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action
Website: https://ocva.org.uk/
