Events

General Support for Hong Kongers

Barnardo’s Boloh helpline also offers continued support for Hongkongers by providing advice on a range of issues, including but not limited to housing options, access to education, welfare, placement and resettlement. They also offer emotional support and sessions of therapy by Barnardo’s qualified therapists. You can access the helpline by calling: 0800 151 2605 or emailing: hongkong@barnardos.org.uk. Please note the helpline is open 10am-8pm, Monday – Friday and 10am-3pm on Saturdays. For more information visit their website by clicking on the button below.

Informal English Class

Knowledge First are due to start monthly informal English classes online for Hong Kong BN(O)s to improve their English. The classes will start in November 2024 and will run until July 2025. They will be held 10:00am-12:00pm on the first Thursday of the month and they are open for anyone on the Hong Kong BN(O) scheme at any level of English learning. To register for the classes email: nemp@middlesbrough.gov.uk or for more details click the button below.

Co-Farming Program

The North East Hongkongers Club have arranged for a few areas of Jesmond Farmhouse to be used for a Co-Farming Program for people to grow in an environmentally friendly and ecologically friendly manner in a community garden. The program will run over the space of a year and the planting plots consist of a square wooden frame in 122cm in length, 122cm width and 18cm in height. Basic farming tools are provided including fertilisers, soil, seasonal seeds and stable water supply.

The program is is free to sign up, however participants need to go to the farm every week to take care of their own crops/plant. Participants are welcome to take away their own crop harvest to share with others. Planting guidance is also offered on a one-to-one basis for £10 an hour. For more details on the programme please click the button below.

English for Employability Course for Hong Kong BN(O)s

EnglishUp! will be hosting an online English for employability course for Hong Kong BN(O)’s from Tuesday the 13th of May until 29th July 2025. This will be the cycle two of the course consisting of 12 sessions, held every Tuesday from 10am-1pm and will focus on the following: Job seeking preparation, decision making, business etiquette, communication at work, career development, customer service, data and reports, cultural differences and small talk.

There are only 10 places available so if you are interested in attending please get in touch by emailing nemp@middlesbrough.gov.uk. More information can be found by clicking the poster below.

Cooking Classes for Hong Kong BN(O)s

Nourish Food School are hosting cooking classes for BN(O)s in the Newcastle area, for free, funded via the NE Hong Kong Hub. The classes are in-person, in two different venues and on different dates, starting 18 March and ending in July 2025. The first three classes will focus on North East or popular UK meals, please find the schedule on the poster below. You do not have to be available for all dates to register your interest, we will be advertising them separately and timings for the Saturday classes will be confirmed soon.

If you are interested in any of the classes, please email nemp@middlesbrough.gov.uk to confirm your interest, we will then advertise the classes on a first come first served basis.

B1 English Test Prep Course – 16th May 2025 10:00am-4:00pm

JET are hosting a B1 preparation English exam to help those who are ready to apply for permanent residence next year but still haven’t taken the B1 English test, or are you looking for someone to practice basic skills and do a mock exam to boost confidence in the exam? The course is free, face-to-face and may be perfect for you. People can sign up if they are currently living in Newcastle or Gateshead and if they are BN(O) visa holders and their families (not attending other institutions). The assessment date will take place on the 16th May 10am-4pm at Carnegie Building, Atkinson Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 8XS but the course will run June to August for 12 weeks. The course will focus on speaking in different tenses, opinions, advice etc. (modal verbs), writing skills, conditionals, listening and an opportunity for a mock Exam.

Community Gathering, Newcastle – 17th May 2025 2:00-4:00pm

North East Hongkongers Club Newcastle ‘talk to you event’ will be held 17th May from 2pm-4pm at Trinity Church and Centre, High Street Gosforth, NE3 4AG for 15 people. They will advise and help referrals to the right agencies to provide peace of mind and offer the right support. To find out more click the button below.

Oil painting workshop, Gosforth – 24th May and 7th June 2025 1:30pm-3:30pm

The North East Hongkongers Club is putting on an oil painting workshop to introduce oil painting techniques, tools and tips to come explore the fun side of Western art! Try out thick or thin paint, create a bold self-portrait or a peaceful seaside scene – maybe you’ve got a bit of Picasso in you. The tutor, Jones Chan has 20 years of experience in publishing and design in Hong Kong and has spent the last three years in Newcastle exploring of painting and ceramics. The workshop is free and will take place on 24th May and 7th June 2025 1:30pm-3:30pm at Trinity Church Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 4AG. This opportunity will be a great chance to get creative and share stories about life in the UK!