Sheltering from the classic Salford drizzle, Evelyn Lo guides a group into the peaceful enclave of the Sacred Trinity Church.
Everyone here has come from different backgrounds, communities and has varied life experiences. They are young and old, nervous and excited, fluent English speakers and some are still learning.
The one thing that unites them is that they are from Hong Kong. They have gathered today to meet others like them and to navigate a new life in Salford.
Some sit alone but are quickly greeted by volunteers offering them snacks and tea. Some already have an established group of friends and chat about the upcoming lecture they will receive from the pulpit.
This is the scene of Salford Hongkongers’ monthly ‘cuppa and chat’ social sessions, where the community interest group hosts guest speakers with expertise on immigration, careers and finance.
Here, Hongkongers can learn how to open bank accounts, understand renters’ rights and apply for permanent residency.
The group also helps Hong Kongers build a community in Salford. They facilitate this at their socials, where newcomers can meet others experiencing similar challenges of moving to a new country.
“We are building a bridge into local life, helping people from Hong Kong and refugees become active, happy, and contributing members of Salford,” says the group’s deputy director, Evelyn, describing the crucial work her volunteer group tirelessly carries out to lay the groundwork for people to thrive in their new home.
In 2021, Salford was dubbed ‘Britain’s little Hong Kong’ after becoming the most popular destination for exiles fleeing the region after China introduced a controversial national security law clamping down on basic freedoms.
Volunteers shared their pride about being part of Salford’s community. Evelyn shared how happy she is in Salford due to the blend of suburban and city living and the welcoming and inclusive people.
Since its inception, Salford Hong Kongers’ CIC has been the beating heart of a growing community in the city, providing a space where newcomers can meet others experiencing similar challenges of moving to a new country.
Evelyn said Salford Hongkongers are often the first point of contact when people are moving from Hong Kong to the UK, providing a vital support network.
She said: “We’re trying to engage them into our support network so that we can share key information about immigration rules, renters’ rights and even employability”.
The group also aims to help newcomers integrate into ‘local life’. “We are doing a lot of activities and volunteering so that we are not just building a support network.
“We are also building a bridge into the local life so that the [people] from Hong Kong and refugees can become active, happy, contributing members of Salford”, Evelyn said.
Regina Poon, another volunteer with the group, also said that volunteering was a good way to “merge with the locals.”
This helps “the local people can understand our integration into this community,” she explained.
One volunteer, who is only eight years old, plays an active role at a local foodbank. Evelyn shared how this has improved both his English and overall confidence.
Evelyn described how volunteering is like a “seed that can blossom” into creating well-connected, happy communities. The Salford Hongkongers also enjoy blending both “Eastern and Western culture” in their social sessions.
From traditional Cantonese dancing and Chinese New Year to visiting pubs together and joining local activity groups, Salford Hongkongers have immersed themselves in all aspects of Salford life and have grown over the years.
From traditional Cantonese dancing and Chinese New Year celebrations to visiting pubs together and joining local activity groups, Salford Hongkongers have immersed themselves in all aspects of life in the city and have grown in numbers over the years.
They started with a group of only 20. Now, 80 to 100 people attend each session.
The group was founded in 2022 following the UK’s introduction of the British National Overseas visa route in 2021, which enables Hongkongers and their families to live and work in the UK for five years, with a pathway to settlement and eventual citizenship.
What was clear was that the volunteers are committed to creating a vibrant community space that can provide vital outreach to people who have moved here from Hong Kong, sometimes alone, even if that comes at a personal financial loss.
Because Salford Hongkongers are a community interest company, their main goal is to benefit the community, not to make a profit. This means a lot of their social events are free, enabling everyone in the community to come along.
Formerly a British colony, Hong Kong has faced a crackdown on dissent and freedom of speech by China. Authorities have arrested many pro-democracy activists and journalists. This led to the UK government offering many Hong Kongers routes to immigrate to the UK. Hongkongers can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (LDR) after five years, rather than the usual ten years for immigrants from many other countries.
LDR gives immigrants ‘settled’ status in the UK, allowing them to live, work and study here for as long as they like. Applying for this can be complicated, but the Salford HongKongers group provide key information to make life easier for eligible people to navigate the process.
The Salford Hongkonger’s mission was obvious. They want to help people become part of Salford’s bustling community. One thing Evelyn said made this fact especially apparent. “Our people can find a life, can find their friends, or even their career in this new home.”
“Our people can find a life, find friends, even build a career in this new home,” Evelyn says, smiling as she glances around the church at the people embarking on a new life in Salford.
