“It’s a great way for me to engage with local people”

Bernard moved to Sutton from Hong Kong in August 2021 with his family to be close to London, nearby to some friends already living in Sutton and for the good schools.

Keen to get more involved in the community, Bernard went along to the Volunteer Centre Sutton coffee mornings for newly migrated residents. “Originally I just wanted to know more about local people, the local area and culture,” said Bernard. 

Bernard has since decided to volunteer his spare time while looking for permanent employment with the Volunteer Centre Sutton. “In Hong Kong I do volunteer work - litter picking, visiting elderly people, helping at schools - and so I want to do the same in Sutton, as I am part of the community here now.”

For Hong Kong British National (Overseas) arrivals, Sutton is in the Top 10 Greater London boroughs as a place to settle. To support our new residents to Sutton from Hong Kong, the Volunteer Centre Sutton have launched their latest project, Integrating Sutton.

“It’s a great way for me to engage with the local people and help more people from Hong Kong to settle into their new community.”

Volunteer Centre Sutton is one of 47 national and regional projects being allocated government funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to help British National (Overseas) families settle successfully into life in the UK. 

If you have an existing connection with the Hong Kong community, or would like to get involved and find out more about this project, the Volunteer Centre Sutton would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Amelia Storey at ameliastorey@vcsutton.org.uk.