Local support
This section provides an overview of the West Midlands region and the local support on offer. This section will continue to be updated, so please check back later for further information.
The West Midlands Region is in the centre of the UK and is home to around 3 million people. It is also the location of the West Midlands County or Combined Authority which encompasses the metropolitan local authorities in the middle of the region.
The region is very geographically diverse, with highly rural and urban areas. The largest city in the West Midlands is Birmingham, which is home to over 1 million people.
Employment
The Job Shop – Help with finding a job and linking up with employers
Contact: 02476 785740 |
Coventry City Council |
Coventry City Council https://www.coventry.gov.uk | Customer Service centre (08.30 to 17.00 on Monday to Friday (excluding all bank and public holidays) | 0808 5834 333 |
Councillor Surgeries (Coventry residents talk face to face with councillor) | 02476 834 333 (Mobile friendly) | |
Emergency Services (Children suffering serious harm or thought to be at risk or families at risk of breakdown) | 02476 832 222 (Out of Hour) |
Domestic Abuse | www.safetotalk.org.uk | 0800 111 4998 Monday to Friday 8.30-5pm and Saturday and Sunday 10-1pm |
24 hour helpline | 0800 055 6519 | |
Mental Health and Wellbeing |
Counselling /Mental Well/Being | Relate (relationship counselling) | 02476 225 863 |
Cruse (Bereavement counselling) | 02476 670 714 | |
Light House (Counselling) | 02476 440 095 | |
IAPT (NHS psychotherapy service) | 02476 671 090 | |
Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) | 0300 200 2021 | |
Coventry Mind (mental health support) | 02476 552 847 | |
Samaritans (24hour emotional support) call from any phone | 116 123 | |
Children’s Commissioners CCC Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services | https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhpduM3svftDppw0qaIg59-gVVCX_k8W4 | |
HOPELineUK (young people at risk of suicide) | 0800 068 4141 | |
Mental Health Employment Support | Rethink | 024 7667 3913 |
NHS Mental Health Services Enquiries | Single Point of Entry (NHS Mental health services enquiries) | 0300 200 0011 |
Learning Difficulties | Grapevine | 02476 631040 |
Life Path | 02476 650530 |
Housing Homeless
Housing / Homeless | Home Finder (and Homeless team) | 02476 834 024 |
Emmaus (homeless accommodation) | 02476 661466 | |
Shelter (Housing advice) | 0808 800 4444 | |
St Basils (vis City Council) (Young people- Housing and Employment support) | 02476 889571 | |
Cyrenians (accommodation) FREEPHONE-0800 0180 579-no charge for mobile or landline | 0800 0180 579 02476 228 099 | |
YMCA (accommodation) | 02476 597009 | |
Salvation Army accommodation) | 02476 552 183 | |
Jesus Centre (advice and support) | 02476 550 033 | |
Crisis Skylight (Advice and support) | 02477 087400 enquiries@crisis.org.uk | |
Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre (refugees and migrants) | 02476 227 254 | |
3 P (Advice and support) | 08081962660 cov@3pcharity.org |
Drug /Alcohol Abuse
Drug / Alcohol | Change Growth Live (CGL) – https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-service-coventry/info | 02476 010241 |
Tax Credits/Benefit Advice
Tax Credits/ Benefit Advice | Tax Credits Helpline | 0345 300 3900 |
Coventry Benefit Adviceline | 02476 83 2300 | |
Citizens Advice (Formerly Citizen Advice Bureau) | 0800 144 8848 (free number) | |
Coventry Independent Advice Service (Benefit advice- Oakwood House, Cheylesmore CV1 2HL) | 02476 521 100 | |
Legal Advice | Coventry Law Centre (St Patricks Road, Oakwood House, Cheylesmore CV1 2HL) | 02476 223 053 |
Immigration Advice
ACAS (Employment legal advice) | 0300 123 1100 | |
Immigration advice | Refugee and Migrant Centre | 02476 227 254 |
Coventry Law Centre (St Patricks Road, Oakwood House, Cheylesmore CV1 2HL) | 02476 223 053 |
Business Support
Business Support | Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce (Cheetah Rd, Coventry CV1 2TL) | 02476 231 122 |
Emergency Services
Police / NHS | West Midlands Police (Non-emergency) | 101 |
NHS non-emergency number | 111 |
Children and Adult Services
Health And Social Care https://www.coventry.gov.uk/health-social-care 024 7683 3003
Preventing Neglect And Abuse https://www.coventry.gov.uk/safeguarding-adults-1/prevention-abuse-neglect
Right Help Right time https://coventrychildcare.proceduresonline.com/files/rhrt_guidance.pdf 024 7697 5477
Safeguarding adults https://www.coventry.gov.uk/safeguarding-adults-1
Adult social care referral https://www.coventry.gov.uk/care-support/adult-social-care-referrals
Carers Services
https://www.carerstrusthofe.org.uk | 02476101040 | |
Carers Trust Heart of England | Provides information, advice, support for carers and people they support | 02476101040 |
6 Queen Victoria Coventry. CV1 3JH | ||
Carers Support | https://www.coventry.gov.uk/carers-support/carers-assessments-adults | 024 7683 3003 |
Food and Clothing Support
Bare necessities | https://bare-necessities.org.uk |
Providing everyday non-food essential items such as personal hygiene items, sanitary products, baby products and cleaning products. barenecessitiescoventry2020@gmail.com | |
Social supermarkets | https://letstalk.coventry.gov.uk/social-supermarkets |
Food banks | https://coventry.foodbank.org.uk/locations |
School Uniform Support | https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cost-living-wellbeing-support/school-uniform-support |
Clothing referral | https://clothingcoventry.org/referrals |
Food supermarkets and food hubs support | https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cost-living-wellbeing-support/social-supermarkets-food-hubs-foodbanks-map |
Langar Aid | https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/57871/langar-aid |
Feeding Coventry | https://letstalk.coventry.gov.uk/feeding-coventry |
Housing and Energy
Shelter | https://england.shelter.org.uk/ | |
Act on Energy | https://actonenergy.org.uk/author/rosiehermitage/ | 0800 988 2881 |
help with cutting down energy bills, recommend energy serving ways, might offer grants for insulation |
Libraries and Community Centres
Coventry Central Library & community libraries | Smithford Way CV1 1FY Free Computers use and WIFI, ESol classes and Books, children’s activities, Hobby clubs e.g. chess, bookable meeting roomshttps://www.coventry.gov.uk/libraries-1 | 02476832341 |
Wilfred Spencer | Whitaker Road CV 5 9JE. Day care for adults with learning difficulties | 024 7697 8180 |
Whitley Community Centre | 15 The Avenue CV3 4BP Different Social activities eg yoga, room Hire | |
Cheylesmore Community Centre | Poitiers Road, CV3 5JX Adult Ed. AA, Food hub, women association, policy surgery | 02476502226 |
Stoke Heath Community centre | 14 Burroughs CL CV2 3QH Computers, English & Maths classes, Asian ladies club, older person club, Sri Lankan community, youth club, faith groups | 02476449580 |
Foleshill Community Centre | 757 Foleshill Rd CV6 5HS HAF summer programme for kids, health and wellbeing, food bank | 02476682749 |
Wood End Community Centre | Hillmorton Road, CV2 1F Breakfast, mums and babies groups, Pensioner luncheon Group | 0247614379 |
Dudley Council
Herefordshire Council
Sandwell Council
Shropshire Council | Shropshire Council |
Refugee support | Refugee Charity Shropshire | Shropshire Supports Refugees | England |
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) | ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) | Shropshire Council |
English for Speakers of other Languages – North Shropshire College (nsc.ac.uk) |
Employment | |
Agencies in Shropshire with contact information: |
Office/Commercial Admin, Customer Service, Sales, Marketing, Management, HR, PA, Management, Purchasing, Sales, Accounts/Finance, IT.
• Absolute Personnel (https://www.absolutepersonnel.co.uk/)
Shrewsbury Business Park, Ashwood House, The Professional Quarter, Shrewsbury SY2 6LG 01743 461239
• Travail (https://www.travail.co.uk/shrewsbury-jobs-branch)
Ground Floor, 7 St John’s Hill, Shrewsbury SY1 1JD 01743 235532 lisa.shore@clockworkorg.com
• Team 4 U (https://www.team4you.today/)
Haughmond View, Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury SY2 6LG 01743 627404
• Prince personnel (https://prince4jobs.co.uk/)
Suite 2.07, Grosvenor House, Hollinswood Rd, Telford TF2 9TW 01952 299844 info@prince-personnel.co.uk
• Hays (https://www.hays.co.uk/)
Ground Floor, Padmore House, Hall Court, Hall Park Way, TF3 4LX 01952 293 622
• DM Recruitment (https://www.dm-recruitment.com/)
Unit 8, Brookland House, battlefield enterprise park, Yeomanry Rd, Shrewsbury SY1 3EH 01743 296320
• Proactive Personnel (https://www.proactivepersonnel.net/)
15 Pride Hill, Shrewsbury SY1 1DQ 01743 360360 shrewsbury@proactivepersonnel.net
• Blue Orchid Recruitment Ltd (www.blueorchidrecruitment.co.uk)
01743 612013 mail@blueorchidrecruitment.co.uk
• Pertemps (https://www.pertemps.co.uk/)
Hazledine House, Telford, TF3 4JL 01952 291250
Retail/Hospitality/Leisure
• C2 Recruitment (www.c2recruitment.com)
Mercury House, Sitka Dr, Shrewsbury SY2 6LG 01743 770280 enquiries@c2recruitment.com
• Absolute Personnel (https://www.absolutepersonnel.co.uk/)
Shrewsbury Business Park, Ashwood House, The Professional Quarter, Shrewsbury SY2 6LG 01743 461239
Education
• Tara Professional Recruitment (https://taraprofessionalrecruitment.co.uk/)
Claremont Bank, Shrewsbury SY1 1RW 01952 433833 admin@taraprofessionalrecruitment.co.uk
Nurse/Care/Support Work
• Prestige Nursing (www.prestige-nursing.co.uk)
26 Longden Coleham, Shrewsbury SY3 7DB 01743 403772 shrewsbury@prestige-nursing.co.uk
• Nurseplus (www.nurseplusuk.com)
Rural Enterprise Centre, Enterprise Park, Unit 15 The, Stafford Dr, Shrewsbury SY1 3FE 01743 442787 shrewsbury@nurseplusuk.com
• Proactive Personnel (https://www.proactivepersonnel.net/)
15 Pride Hill, Shrewsbury SY1 1DQ 01743 360360 shrewsbury@proactivepersonnel.net
Solihull Council
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solihullcouncil
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SolihullCouncil
Hong Kongers Local Community Networking and
Telegram: https://tinyurl.com/Solihull-BNO-Telegram
Telegram channel for up-to-date information in Solihull and contact details
Calendar: https://tinyurl.com/Solihull-BNO-Calendar
(Planned activities/events/workshops in Solihull)
Solihull Advice and Support
- Anonymous Surveys
https://tinyurl.com/Solihull-BNO-Surveys
– Hong Kongers in Solihull Survey
– BNO Workshops Suggestion and Feedback Survey BNO
– Support for Children / Young Person Survey
The anonymous surveys are to enable Solihull Council and stakeholders to plan, organise and provide supports for the needs of Hong Kongers in Solihull.
- Council tax bands and charges
https://www.solihull.gov.uk/council-tax-and-benefits/council-tax-bands
- Education
https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Schools-and-learning- Adult and community education
https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Schools-and-learning/adult-community-education
- School admission (primary, junior, secondary)
https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Schools-and-learning/School-admissions
- School attendance
- https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Schools-and-learning/School-attendance
- Social, Emotional and Mental Health team
- Solihull SENDIAS
https://www.solihull.gov.uk/children-and-family-support/localoffer/sendias
The Solihull SENDIAS (Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support) service supports children and young people with SEND and their parents/carers.
- Children & Young People with Disabilities or Special Educational Needs
Solihull local offer – a website about services and support for children and young people with disabilities or special educational needs https://www.solihull.gov.uk/children-and-family-support/localoffer
- Emotional support
https://www.solihull.gov.uk/adult-social-care/emotional-support
- Environment and animals
https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Environment-and-animals
- Noise Pollution
https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Environment-and-animals/Noise
- My Solihull Map
https://www.solihull.gov.uk/communities-and-safety/my-solihull-map
Find places to go, things to do and people to talk or listen to in your neighbourhood in Solihull
- Safeguarding children and young people
https://www.solihull.gov.uk/children-and-family-support/Safeguarding-children-young-people
- Volunteering
https://www.solihull.gov.uk/COVID-19/Volunteer-safely
Please email bno@rmcentre.org.uk for referral
Volunteering in public spaces relating to environment then the link to sign up to Love Solihull is https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Roads-pavements-and-streetcare/Love-Solihull/Litter-picking
Solihull Churches
- St James the Great C of E Church
https://www.shirleyparishb90.co.uk/contact-us
- Coffee Morning – Tuesday 10am to 11:30am
- Solihull Christian Fellowship
https://www.scfchurch.org.uk/news-and-events/calendar/ - Free Communities Lunch – Wednesday 12pm to 1pm
- Shirley Methodist Church
https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/category/Methodist-Church/Shirley-Methodist-Church-191688784803944/ - Shirley Baptist Church
https://www.shirleybaptist.org.uk/contact
- Saint George and Saint Teresa Catholic Church
https://www.catholicchurchdorridge.uk/news
ESOL
- Solihull College
- https://www.solihull.ac.uk/category/esol/
- Please email bno@rmcentre.org.uk for referral
Employment
- Solihull Council Employment and Skills Team
https://www.solihullforsuccess.com/help-to-find-work
Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/SolihullCouncilEST
Twitter: https://twitter.com/solihulle4s - Migrant Help
https://www.migranthelpuk.org/hongkong-welcome-programme - Catholic Church of Saint Augustine of England
Employment workshop – Monday 6:30pm to 8:30pm (last session 5/9/2022)
To register your interest, please email bno@rmcentre.org.uk for referral
- ACH Refugee Integration Services Provider
https://www.ach.org.uk/contact-ach
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACHintegrates/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/achintegrates
Migrant Business Support programme. Please email bno@rmcentre.org.uk for referral
Health
- GPs
https://www.birminghamandsolihullccg.nhs.uk/about-us/gp-practices/solihull
List of GPs in Solihull
or
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp
Use your postcode to search NHS dentist in your area
- Dentists
- https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist
Use your postcode to search NHS dentist in your area - Opticians
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-an-optician
Use your postcode to search NHS dentist in your area
Housing
- Spring Housing
https://springhousing.org.uk/contact-us/
1 to 1 housing advice (remotely – phone or video call) 9:15am to 1pm
To register your appointment, please email hkbno@springhousing.org.uk
Volunteering
- CAVA
https://www.wcava.org.uk/volunteering - Solihull Active
Other Useful Contact
- Be Water Hong Kongers
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bewaterhongkongerscic/ - Citizen Advice Solihull Borough
http://www.casb.org.uk/contact-us/
Provide free, confidential and impartial advice and campaign on big issues affecting people’s lives. Our goal is to help everyone find a way forward, whatever problem they face. We’re an independent local charity and part of the Citizens Advice network across England and Wales. - Good Neighbour Church
https://englandgnc.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EnglandGoodNei1
Telegram: https://t.me/enggnc
- Hong Kongers in Britain
https://www.hongkongers.org.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HongkongersUK
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HongkongersUK
Staffordshire Council
Home – Staffordshire County Council
Needs assessment for new BN(O) arrivals
British Nationals (Overseas) Welcome programme – Staffordshire County Council
Telford and Wrekin Council
The Refugee and Migrant Centre
Walsall Branch
The Refugee and Migrant Centre
41-45 Bridge Street
Walsall
WS1 1JQ
Warwickshire Council
Homepage – Warwickshire County Council
Warwickshire BNO resident survey
https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/family-relationships-1/family-life-things/2
Worcestershire Council
FaithAction (Part of LifeLine Community Projects)
Join Café Connect in Wolverhampton:
Wolverhampton: All Nations Church
- 01902 714 469
- info@allnations.org.uk
- All Nations Church,
Temple Street, Wolverhampton WV2 4AQ - Wednesdays, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Immigration & Employment
The Refugee and Migrant Centre
Wolverhampton/Head Office
The Refugee and Migrant Centre
1st Floor Roma Parva,
9 Waterloo Road,
Wolverhampton
WV1 4NB