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West Berkshire 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 West Berkshire Council. You will be able to find official updates, services, and community information. The Council’s website includes information on local migration services: Migration and resettlement – West Berkshire 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). 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 refer to this page for next steps.
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.
Educafe: Educafe Education Hub | Educafe
Newbury College: English for Non-native Speakers (Part-time)
Vici Language Academy: Learn English as a Second Language | Newbury and Windsor | VICI
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.
Citizen Advice West Berkshire
Freephone: 0808 2787994
Online advice service: https://online.citizensadvicewestberkshire.org.uk/
Website: https://citizensadvicewestberkshire.org.uk/
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 ‘Ways into Work (Supported Employment Service)‘ webpage 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 West Berkshire.
Here are some of the online resources offered by the West Berkshire libraries:
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
There is no Hongkongers Diaspora organisation based in West Berkshire at the moment, but the Educafe provides a range of support to West Berkshire’s diverse communities:
Educafe
Website: https://www.educafeuk.co.uk/
Email: info@educafeuk.co.uk
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 West Berkshire:
Organisation: Volunteer Centre West Berkshire
