At a Loss? 

The Community Advice Bureau will be able to answer almost any question you may have.  

Community Advice Bureau
16C Right Emperor Commercial Building
122-126 Wellington Street
Central
Hong Kong
Tel: 2815 5444
Fax: 2815 5977
Website
Email

Opportunities for Trailing Spouses

As a trailing spouse, you may find it harder than your partner to settle into a rhythm in Hong Kong, especially if you don't have children to occupy your time. Don’t worry, though, Hong Kong has myriad opportunities to become active in the community, be it social, career, travel or family oriented. With patience and perseverance, you will find your niche.

The best way for you to find your feet in any new city is to join a club (or two!), and Hong Kong is no exception. In fact, Hong Kong is particularly well equipped for this, with numerous clubs providing for a relatively small number of people. It’s a great way to make friends and meet plenty of interesting people.

A few things to keep in mind:
1) as a spouse, you will be granted a dependent's visa, meaning that you are free to work in Hong Kong,
2) your skills may be very valuable and sought after in Hong Kong,
3) if you would rather do voluntary work, there are a number of voluntary organizations that desperately need assistance. A weekly magazine, The Dollar Saver, is an excellent source of ideas.

You may, in time, even decide that you would like to start your own business - anything is possible in Hong Kong. There are also various opportunities to further one's education through courses held at the various universities and institutes.     

Courses and Continued Education   Universities and Institutes Chinese University of Hong Kong School of Continuing Studies Enrollment & Learning Centre 1/F, Bank of America Tower 12 Harcourt Road Central Hong Kong Tel: 2209 0299 Fax: 2603 6565 / 2367 2593 Website Email Note: Offers many interesting and informative courses such as Computers & IT, Music, Dance and Drama and Arts & Culture, to name but a few. The University of Hong Kong School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPACE) Enrollment Centre Main Campus 3/F-11/F, T.T. Tsui Building Pokfulam Road Hong Kong Tel/Fax: 2559 9771 Website Email Open University of Hong Kong Website Email Ho Man Tin Campus: 30 Good Shepherd Street Ho Man Tin Kowloon Tel: 2711 2100 Fax: 2715 0760 Island Learning Centre: 4/F, Shun Tak Centre 168 Connaught Road Central Hong Kong Tel: 3120 9601 / 3120 9988 Fax: 2381 8456 Island School Evening Institute (ISEI) 20 Borrett Road Mid Levels Hong Kong Tel/ Fax: 2526 5884 Website Email Note: Evening courses offered: language, computing, business, photography, arts & crafts, physical activities, health, cookery. Pick up a prospectus from the Island School, The Helena May, Karin Weber Antiques, Healing Plants, St. John's Cathedral Bookshop. YMCA 41 Salisbury Road Tsim Sha Tsui Kowloon Tel: 2268 7000  Fax: 2739 9315  Website Email Note: The Young Men’s Christian Association provides opportunities to volunteer as well as get involved in various community-based projects. Classes are also available in a wide range of subjects. A good place to meet other people new to the city or with similar interests to yourself. YWCA Room 302, 3/F 1 MacDonnell Road Mid Levels Hong Kong Tel: 3476 1340 Fax: 3476 1346 Website Email Note: The Young Women’s Christian Association offers numerous interesting and fun courses and classes for both men and women. Choose from such subjects as photography, cookery and guided walks around the territory, to name but a few. Through the YWCA, you can get involved in any number of volunteer projects from children to animals, the homeless to the blind. The Hong Kong Academy of Flower Arrangement Room B&C, 17/F, Capitol Centre Tower II 28 Jardine's Crescent Causeway Bay Hong Kong Tel: 2890 1803 / 2882 1832 Website

Culinary Courses The Home Management Centre (HK Electric Company) 10/F, Electric Centre 28 City Garden Road North Point Hong Kong Tel: 2510 2828 Website Cost: HK$85 per lesson Note: 10.30am-12.30pm every Wednesday. Note: There are 12 classes in this ‘Chinese Homemade Cooking’ course, all running continuously so you can join/end the class at any time. The Peninsula Hotel Salisbury Road Tsim Sha Tsui Kowloon Tel: 2920 2888 Fax: 2722 4170 Website Email Cost: HK$1000 per person, per day Note: 9.45am-2:00pm (including a lunch of whatever has been produced in class that day) Classes usually run for four days although this may be extended to 6 days if it a particularly popular course. You may attend as many or as few classes as you wish within each course. Each month sees a different culinary theme, from Italian to French to Thai. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel 3 Connaught Road Central Hong Kong Tel: 2877 6666 Fax: 2877 6778 Website Note: Cookery courses run throughout the summer and school holidays for both adults and children. Prices will vary according to the style of cuisine being prepared. Children’s courses cater for 7-12 year-old’s. Call Olivier for more information on dates and course prices. Organizations Business Associations American Chamber of Commerce 1904 Bank of American Tower 12 Harcourt Road Central Hong Kong Tel: 2526 0165 Fax: 2810 1289 Website Email British Chamber of Commerce Room 1201 Emperor Group Centre 288 Hennessy Road Wanchai Hong Kong Tel: 2824 2211 Fax: 2824 1333 Website Email Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce 22/F, United Centre 95 Queensway Admiralty Hong Kong Tel: 2529 9229 Fax: 2527 9843 Website Email Social Groups American Women's Association of Hong Kong C-7 The Monticello 48 Kennedy Road Hong Kong Tel: 2527 2961 Fax: 2865 7737 Website Email Note: Weekdays 9:30-3:30pm The AWA organizes all types of activities. It is a great way to meet other women in Hong Kong for social or business purposes. The AWA engages in a lot of volunteer work. The Women's Forum Tel: 2504 5195 Fax: 2504 5192 Website Email Note: Women’s Forum is a networking organisation for women living in Hong Kong. The essence of the Women's Forum is to bring women together to network socially or professionally, to encourage women to promote themselves, their businesses, products or services, seek employment, meet new and existing friends, listen to guest speakers and enjoy special events in one of the exclusive 5-star hotels in Hong Kong, but most importantly, to add value to your day. Ladies' Circle GPO Box 5299 Hong Kong Note: Ladies’ Circle is a charity organisation dedicated to fund-raising in Hong Kong. Support Groups Hong Kong Catholic Marriage Advisory Council Room 101, 1/F, Low Block Grand Millennium Plaza 181 Queen's Road Mid Levels Hong Kong Tel: 2810 1104 / 2810 1105 Fax: 2526 3376 Website Email Community Advice Bureau 16C, Right Emperor Commercial Building 122-126 Wellington Street Central Hong Kong Tel: 2815 5444 Fax: 2815 5977 Website Email ReSource The Counselling Centre Suite 501, Ruttonjee House 11 Duddell Street Central Hong Kong Tel: 2523 8979 Fax: 2845 7352 Website Email Note: A non-profit organization offering counselling by qualified professionals First Steps in Mother & Babycare Matilda Health Centre 41 Mount Kellett Road The Peak Hong Kong Tel: 2849 1515 Fax: 2849 4802 Website The Samaritans P.O. BOX 7953 General Post Office Hong Kong 24-Hour Hotline: 2896 0000  Website St. John's Cathedral Counselling Service LG/F, 8 Garden Road Central Hong Kong Tel: 2525 7207 / 2525 7208 Fax: 2524 2777 Website Email Volunteer Groups and Aids Organisations The Samaritans Tel: 2896 0000 Website Email SPCA 5 Wan Shing Street (Harbour Side, Opposite to Elizabeth House) Wanchai Hong Kong Tel: 2802 0501 Fax: 2802 7229 Website Email Hong Kong Society For The Protection of Children 3/F, 387 Portland Street Mongkok Kowloon Tel: 2396 0264 Fax: 2787 1047 Website Email Matilda Child Development Centre Matilda International Hospital 41 Mount Kellett Road The Peak Hong Kong Tel: 2849 6138 Fax: 2849 6900 Website Email Mother's Choice 42B Kennedy Road Mid Levels Hong Kong Tel: 2524 4310 Fax: 2526 4145 Website Email Oxfam 17/F, China United Centre 28 Marble Road North Point Hong Kong Tel: 3120 5284 Fax: 2527 6307 Website Email Helping Hand Tel: 2522 4494 Fax: 2840 1278 Website Email Aids Concern Suite 17B, Block F 3 Lok Man Road Chai Wan Hong Kong Tel: 2898 4411 Fax: 2505 1628 Website Email Amercian Women's Association C-7 The Monticello 48 Kennedy Road Hong Kong Tel: 2527 2961 Fax: 2865 7737 Website Email Brownies / Guides Tel: 2719 3977 (Rita McClellan) Male Trailing Spouses It is commonly assumed that trailing spouses are women. In many cases, however, this is not the case. Over the years, many groups, sporting teams and organisations have sprung up catering for the male trailing spouse. A few ideas include… Offer your services as a volunteer. If you can’t find anything that appeals to you in the volunteer organizations listed above, why not offer your time to the Beavers / Cubs / Scouts of Hong Kong. Contact Sheila Davis (Tel: 2572 4703). Hong Kong Slo-Pitch Softball Association (HKSPSA) Tel: 2524 4137 Website Email Note: The Hong Kong Slow Pitch Softball Association is a great way to meet new people when you first arrive in the territory and can often yield results for those looking for work or business associates. Asia Sports Ice Hockey Leagues Website Note: Asiasports organises hockey leagues for men, women and children. Hash House Harriers and Harriettes The Wanch Bar 54 Jaffe Road Wanchai Hong Kong Tel: 2861 1621 Website Email Note: This much-loved organinzation is established all over the world and is one of the most traditional of expat sporting activities. A run/paper chase is conducted in the countryside followed by a group sing-a-long and joke awards, all washed down with plenty of beer. Sek Kong Hash House Harriers Leafy Glade On Lam Kan Road Lam Tsuen Tai Po New Territories Tel: 9365 0965 (John Simm) Website Email Little Sai Wan Hash House Harriers Tel: 9433 6546 (Mark Hope) / 2150 8418 (Stuart Smith) Fax: 2586 2890 Website Email Note: for a reference to all the Hashes in Hong Kong. Ultimate Frisbee Ultimate Players Association Tel: 2570 6020 (Steven Lee) Website Email Note: Ultimate is a non-contact sport that requires a combination of agility, speed and quickness to play. Teams consist of seven players on the field at a time. The basic rules are easy, and even the full set is only a few pages. Ultimate combines elements of soccer, football and basketball in a fast-paced game, played with a Frisbee, where everyone is a quarterback and everyone is a receiver. For further information on activities in Hong Kong see Social and Family Life: “Clubs and Associations”. Last Updated: 19 November, 2003