Southampton community projects awarded funding to welcome Hong Kongers

The Chinese Association of Southampton and City Life Church have been awarded funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities to help welcome British Nationals Overseas looking to relocate to Southampton from Hong Kong.

They join other national and regional projects which have been allocated funding to offer a range of support, including educational resources, access to mental health services, and help for people to find jobs and start their own businesses.

These Hong Kongers and their families have chosen to keep their ties to the UK by taking up British National (Overseas) status and have moved to the UK under a new immigration route opened last year, which reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to British National (Overseas) status holders.

Councillor Spiros Vassiliou, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Heritage at Southampton City Council said:

“We were really pleased to provide our support and backing to these two bids. It’s great to see they’ve been successful and are already moving forward. Southampton has so much to offer new arrivals – from it’s amazing and diverse culture and events, to world class parks and open spaces, our two outstanding universities, a thriving start-up and business community and so much more.”

Church Leader, Paul Woodman, said:

“We are delighted to receive funding to welcome Hong Kong nationals to Southampton and the surrounding region. We are proud to live in a City of Sanctuary, and this project sits alongside our enduring commitment to play our part in providing support, dignity and welcome to others.”

Vice Chair of Chinese Association of Southampton, Vikkie Cheng, said:

"We are so excited to be able to welcome and help the newly arrived Hong Kong nationals! This funding from the government will enable us to do even more to ensure that Hong Kong nationals will integrate smoothly and successfully into the local community in Southampton and the nearby regions."