Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

London's seniors get help to beat racism

London's seniors get help to beat racism

A new program has been launched in the British capital to tackle novel coronavirus racism toward older Chinese people who are in "self-enforced segregation".
Islington Chinese Association says its members are increasingly reluctant to go out because of negative comments directed toward them prompted by ignorance around COVID-19.

The charity hopes to bridge the gap between Chinese communities and the wider community, reduce isolation, and improve members' wellbeing with the program, which is funded by a 250,000-pound ($328,000) grant from City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation's charitable wing.

The project, which is called Thriving Beats Surviving, will enable befriending initiatives, drop-in sessions, and culture and leisure activities and also give a voice to older Chinese residents-who often have limited English. It will also help them access mainstream services.

Dhruv Patel, chairman of the City of London Corporation's City Bridge Trust Committee, said: "London boasts a long and well-established Chinese population, but often language and cultural barriers can be an obstacle to integration-both with other Chinese communities and the wider community.

"This scheme will help to bridge the gap, reduce isolation, and help older Chinese people to be more independent and resilient, which is needed more than ever at a time when they have had to face ignorance and racism prompted by ill-informed views on the pandemic."

The funding over five years will pay for a wellbeing and information officer who will recruit and coordinate volunteers and offer a culturally sensitive information and advocacy services alongside social and cultural activities.

The charity, which was founded in 1986, expects to help 12,000 older Chinese people, predominantly from Islington but also from neighboring London boroughs such as Camden, Hackney, Haringey, and Westminster. Many face issues including anxiety, loneliness, and bereavement.

Katy Tse Blair, co-founder of Islington Chinese Association, said: "We often see Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong Chinese and Mandarin-speaking mainland Chinese impose a kind of self-imposed segregation. They're not always prepared to integrate and it's not just the language barrier but the difference between their lifestyles, habits, and aspirations.

"This grant will enable us to provide more educational, cultural, and social activities-which are a great way to bring people together-to give our members a voice, help them to thrive and build their confidence, which has suffered due to sometimes unintended racism and negative stereotypes about coronavirus."

Kin Fun-lee, a member of the association, said: "Islington Chinese Association is like a second home to me. I enjoy my healthy lunch there three days a week, participate in social and physical activities and Cantonese Opera singing. I take delight in meeting people from different backgrounds and walks of life."

Thomas Wu, who was named Commended Older Volunteer of the Year by Voluntary Action Islington in 2019, said: "Being a volunteer at the Islington Chinese Association enables me to give something back to the community and make a positive difference to the people I help to serve."
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
×