I'm a Hongkonger arriving in Richmond upon Thames

This page provides useful local information for getting you settled in Richmond upon Thames.

Finding a job

Work Match is the Council's employment service that can offer support, advice, guidance and training, and can help you find a job with a local employer. Call or email to register.

You can learn new skills through one of many local adult education providers.

Financial support

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs including rent, childcare and employment. You may be able to get it if you are on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.

Council Tax

Council Tax is paid by each household and pays for the services the Council provides. There is one bill for each home, whether it is a house, flat, bungalow, maisonette, mobile home or houseboat, and whether it is owned or rented.

Discounts or exemptions may apply in some circumstances.

English language courses

For information about English as a second language courses in the local area, you can contact Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College (RHACC), the main provider of adult education in the borough.

If you want to improve your English to communicate, then English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses are suitable for you if English is not your first language. An assessment by the college is needed before any course recommendation is made to the learner.

If you want to gain a recognised qualification, then English as a Foreign Language (EFL) courses are available to help you evidence your English language skills for work, study and practical use.

Further information is available on RHACC’s website.

You can contact RHACC for general enquiries by calling +44 (0)20 8891 5907 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm or by emailing info@rhacc.ac.uk.

The government has also published details of additional resources and online courses which may be of interest.

Education and support for children

Any child under 18 will be entitled to enrol in a local school. You will receive support to enrol in a school, but you can find out more information about the process here:

Early education and childcare funding (aged 2-5)
Primary school admissions (aged 4 to 10)
Secondary school admissions (aged 11 to 18)

Find out about other local childcare options for any age and children centres, for children under 5.

There are nine local youth clubs which offer a range of activities and support for young people.

14 to 25 service

The 14 to 25 service can offer advice and guidance for 16/17 year olds living in the boroughs. This team can offer other guidance about colleges.

Special needs

All families with children will receive a home visit from a children’s services officer from the Council. If your child has a disability or special educational needs, the officer will be able to help you access support available.

Healthcare

You will have access to free health care while in the UK, via the local National Health Service (NHS).

Accessing healthcare

The first thing you should do is register with a local GP. GP surgeries are usually the first contact if you have a health problem. They can treat many conditions and give health advice. They can also refer you to other NHS services, including mental health.

Mental health and wellbeing support services are available to you locally. If you have serious concerns about your mental health you should contact your GP.

Find out about other local health services.

Urgent care

Urgent treatment centres are a facility you can go to if you need urgent medical attention but it's not a life-threatening situation. Urgent treatment centres are GP-led and open for at least 12 hours a day every day of the week (including bank holidays).

The Richmond Urgent Treatment Centre at Teddington Memorial Hospital is for when you need urgent medical attention, but it's not a life-threatening situation. You may be referred to the urgent treatment centre by NHS 111 or by a GP. You can also just turn up and walk in. The service is run by nurses and other healthcare professionals, supported by a GP.

Accident and Emergency (A&E)

You should go to A&E only if you or someone you are with has a life-threatening emergency. If you need an ambulance, call 999 at any time of day or night.

There are two hospitals in neighbouring boroughs where ambulances are likely to take patients and these are West Middlesex Hospital and Kingston Hospital.

Maternity care

All women in the UK are entitled to NHS maternity care, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay and you should speak to your GP for pregnancy care and a referral for maternity services. For more information on accessing maternity care see Maternity Action's website.

Get a COVID-19 vaccine

Everyone living in the UK aged 12 and over, and some children aged 5 to 11, can get a first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

People aged 16 and over, and some children aged 12 to 15, can also get a booster dose.

View:

Support for vulnerable adults

Adult Social Care can help people who are elderly or have disabilities. They can also help you connect with local neighbourhood groups, and services such as libraries and health services.

They can also help you if you look after someone else.

When you contact Adult Social Care, they will carry out an assessment to find out what you need. They will also carry out a financial assessment to see if you have to pay anything.

Adult Social Care can help arrange for someone to come into your home to look after you. They can also arrange for a place in a care home. They can get specialist equipment to help you live in your home. They can give support and advice to people with physical or learning disabilities, or people with sensory disabilities.

Find out more about Adult Social Care.

Police and safety

You can contact the Police by calling 101 (non-emergency) or 999 (emergency).

There is support available if you need help for the following:

Living in Richmond upon Thames

Richmond upon Thames is a great place to live, with plenty to do locally.

Find out more:

You can find out about local events, shops, bars and restaurants at Visit Richmond.

If you would like to explore the rest of London, find out more about public transport options with Transport for London (TfL).

More useful information:

Parking
Waste and recycling
Read local news and sign up to our e-newsletter for news and updates
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General support

Organisations that can offer you support when you move to our borough.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice provide free advice services across the UK and this site gives free advice and information and can also sign-post you to your local advice bureau for face-to-face advice and help. The site includes information about benefits, immigration, housing, employment and other useful topics.

Hackney Chinese Community Services

Other London wide community centres providing local services and events include Hackney Chinese Community Services who serve their local East and South East Asian community.

For information on London wide events and tourist attractions check Visit London.

Kingston Beats

Kingston Beats is a local organisation based in the neighbouring borough of Kingston which supports Hongkongers in Southwest London. They focus on connecting newcomers from Hong Kong with the community in the UK.

View their local guide for Kingston

Kingston Beats partner with Islington Chinese Association (ICA), a London based charity dedicated to promoting Chinese cultures and social inclusion.

For more information follow Kingston Beats on:

Richmond Community and Voluntary Sector

If you need support from the boroughs charitable and voluntary sector or you would like to volunteer for an organisation you can find out more at Richmond Community & Voluntary Sector (RCVS). There are 100s of organisations that make up the voluntary and community sector in Richmond and RCVS provide a directory where you can find a range of wellbeing, social and practical support groups locally to connect with.

Richmond CVS also run the Volunteer Service for Richmond upon Thames, in partnership with Richmond and Hillcroft Adult and Community College. There are over 700 organisations in the borough that rely on the support of their volunteers and you can find out more about volunteering opportunities.

Richmond Legal Advice Service

Richmond Legal Advice Service (RLAS) is also free to access and:

Provides free legal advice and assistance
Volunteers who are qualified lawyers
Has no restrictions or eligibility criteria.

Up to: Hong Kong

Updated: 28 April 2023

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