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Supporting newly arrived residents settle in Sutton
Integrating Sutton aimed to assist and ease the integration of new residents to the London Borough of Sutton, particularly those who have recently migrated to Sutton from Hong Kong.
It’s estimated that over 4,000 people have chosen to move to Sutton from Hong Kong since 2020.
The project ended in March 2024 as funding for the project finished. However you can find out more about the project below.
Buddying and a warm welcome
We supported over 800 Hong Kongers directly to integrate and feel part of the community here in Sutton. From a Buddy Programme (where we match a Hong Konger with a local resident Buddy) to a 6 Week Welcome Course run bilingually in Cantonese and English – we've been there supporting the Hong Kong Community.
Helping Hong Kongers get into volunteering
Many Hong Kongers have also started volunteering with us and have found it fulfilling and a great way to integrate further into the local community. Some have also then secured employment after participating in our Integrating Sutton project.
Supporting events and celebrations
Highlights have included the celebration and sharing of cultures and festival traditions. Over 2,000 people attended the 2024 Year of the Dragon Lunar New Year celebration held in Sutton Library with stalls from a range of community and volunteer groups. It was an opportunity to share and enjoy a rich cultural heritage - from the Lion Dance which opened the event to traditional Chinese music and even more modern dancing and singing. The rich colours of red, orange and gold were in abundant brightening the library and a contrast from the wet and cold grey palette outside.
Health and Wellbeing
Our Integrating Sutton team are on hand to support the Hong Konger community both in Cantonese and English. Wellbeing and employment have been a focus over the year with Tuina Massage sessions and coffee mornings to meet potential recruiters for job opportunities. The Hong Konger community have also “given back” via volunteering and a successful Community Litter Pick.
We understood that moving to a new country, culture and lifestyle is a very difficult choice to make and the transition can feel stressful, isolating and scary.
The Integrating Sutton Team were here to support you, to welcome you and to help you feel settled in your new community.
Our support included:
- regular coffee mornings
- activities and outings
- introduction to volunteering opportunities
- matching with a Volunteer Buddy
Be a Buddy for someone who has recently arrived in Sutton
Our Buddying Programme aimed to welcome individuals who are migrating, or have recently migrated, to Sutton into our community and help them to integrate through matching local volunteers to new residents with similar backgrounds and interests.
Our Volunteer Buddies were a familiar, friendly and welcoming face in Sutton and meet with our new Residents once a week, to show them around the local area, offer advice, give recommendations or simply just to chat and catch up!
If you have an existing connection with the Hong Kong community, or would like to find out more about this project, we would love to hear from you.
For more information about the project, please contact hello@vcsutton.org.uk
You can also Join our Integrating Sutton Facebook group where you can connect with other Hong Kongers in Sutton, as well as keep up to date with our programme of events and activities - however note that from March 2024 this Facebook Group will no longer be moderated or updated by Volunteer Centre Sutton.
