UKHK

UKHK established a network of churches and organisations that work together and support each other in welcoming Hong Kongers.

Why has Welcome Churches started this project?

With almost 104,000 people applying for visas in the first year (January 2021-2022) of the BN(O) visa scheme alone, hundreds of thousands of people from Hong Kong are expected to arrive in the UK in the next few years. UKHK established a network of churches and organisations that work together and support each other in welcoming Hong Kongers.

This includes training and provision of information and support to Hong Kongers and churches alike, connecting Hong Kongers and local churches, and encouraging government and civil society more broadly to welcome new arrivals.

Like the Welcome Network, UKHK provides a web platform to connect people from Hong Kong and the UK churches. New arrivals from Hong Kong can easily find a Hong Kong Ready Church in their neighbourhood through the UKHK National Map.

How can Churches get involved?

In early 2022, with funding support from the UK Government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, UKHK launched education integration, social integration and professional integration projects, including Friendship Festivals, a Welcome Magazine for children, and the Welcome Course. With further funding from the Government, UKHK is launching new projects in youth support and wellbeing in late 2022-23.

  • In May & June 2022, a series of funfairs and celebrations were held in different UK cities, so people from Hong Kong, local churches, communities and NGOs had the chance to have fun together and get to know each other. More Friendship Festivals are being planned across the UK. Contact us to find our how your church can get involved.

  • The Welcome Course provides a tool to bridge the relational gap between new arrivals and the local community. With the help of six short professionally-produced videos on British life and culture providing light-hearted discussion starters, attendees can develop English conversational skills and confidence, build friendships, learn about British culture, be signposted to services and share their knowledge of Hong Kong culture. Register today to run the course in your church.

  • A bilingual book specially designed to welcome primary school-age children from Hong Kong. This book introduces facts and interesting information about life and culture in the UK, activities, and signposts services that children and parents can seek support from. You can order copies for your church or school at ukhk.org