Volunteering Builds Confidence and Community Connections for Hong Kongers in Sutton

Hong Kongers community discover volunteering opportunities, improve English confidence, and access health support through welcoming, inclusive and informative local engagement session.

Volunteer Centre Sutton staff members Melody and Lisha alongside volunteers Jenny and Domanie and the Health Navigators team, recently visited the Hong Kongers Elderly group at The Dolphin for an engaging and supportive community session.

Asian lady giving a presentation

Melody introduced the work of Volunteer Centre Sutton, highlighting local opportunities and the wide range of ways people can get involved. Attendees also heard directly from Jenny and Domanie, who shared their personal experiences of volunteering and how easy it is to find roles through the Volunteer Hub.

Both Jenny and Domanie spoke about how volunteering has been an important “first step” in building their lives in Sutton. Having moved from Hong Kong, they explained how getting involved locally has helped them grow in confidence, improve their English, and feel more connected to their community.

The session also offered practical health support, with the Health Navigators team carrying out 18 blood pressure checks and helping attendees better understand their cardiovascular health. These conversations provided reassurance and encouraged people to take simple steps towards improving their wellbeing.

Through their roles as Health Navigators and Volunteer Advisors, Jenny and Domanie have found a strong sense of purpose while supporting others. They highlighted that although volunteering can feel like a big step when English isn’t your first language, it can also be one of the most effective ways to build confidence, develop communication skills and meet new people.