OXFORDSHIRE OLDER CHINESE PEOPLE CENTRE (HAPPY PLACE) 

The Happy Place has been running for 18 years now. The initial purpose for our organisation is that to find a place to let the older Chinese people in Oxfordshire to meet, socialise with friends in ....more

The Happy Place has been running for 18 years now. The initial purpose for our organisation is that to find a place to let the older Chinese people in Oxfordshire to meet, socialise with friends in their own language and cultural background. Subsequently, we have developed to a more supportive network, formally registered as a charitable organisation with trustees, committee members, a bank account etc. Due to the language barrier, we provide information on how to better access the health and social care service. We regularly held talks on specific topics with an interpreter, such as on benefits, dementia, dental hygiene and varies health topics. We provided hot lunches, leisure activities such as table tennis, karaoke, dance etc We had been funded by the Oxfordshire County Council for years, in addition of other donations from shops, restaurateurs and some individuals, plus our fund raising events every year. However, because of the pandemic, for the past two years we were unable to deliver the physical provision of our service due to the Covid restrictions. All funding have been ceased at the same time! During that period, we created a befriending service, continued to deliver support and to meet new needs. Our volunteers called the Happy Place's members by phone frequently to check if they were doing fine in order to combat their isolation and loneliness. We re-opened regularly every Monday afternoon from February this year. We have reduced from two afternoons to one and open for a shorter time in order to save money. We need to pay two hours rent for the hall in West Oxford Community Centre, we pay the coordinator's wages, other expenses are insurance, Happy Place mobile phone bill and so on. We would also like to organise a day trip which we used to do annually for the older people. Happy Place provides a vital service for the older Chinese people in Oxfordshire. I remember one widower told me that because she lives alone in a small flat, she loves to come to the Happy Place every week to catch up with friends, asks for help when she needs to, she would have been depressed if she stayed at home all the time with nobody to talk to! As things start to get back to normal, the isolation and loneliness for some of them were unbearable, the anxiety level amongst them for attending the Centre has reduced, we bring people out of the house and attend Happy Place regularly. That improves their mental health and well being. We provide a safe and familiar place for them to socialise again. We have about eight volunteers who work tirelessly to run the Centre which is great value for money. The older Chinese people know us and trust us. The success of this grant application would make a very big different to us. I think the physical attendance will be rising in the coming months and we are expecting a growing demand in all areas where we give support.