With over 35 years of experience of supporting the community, whether it was funding, work or the community, no two years were ever the same. Here are just some of those highlights:
2024
It is the end of an era, as our founder retires after relentlessly campaigning to improve the quality of life of the community she has served for 35 years.
As the needs of the community continues to evolve and new challenges appear on the horizon, there will be plenty of hard work for the new CEO and the next generation to do yet.
2023
Anticipatory Care Project started to support people being discharged from hospital to recover in their own homes and prevent unplanned readmissions.
2022
The Enablement Hub established to support new migrants and the most deprived communities in the West of England area to upskill themselves, gain employment and achieve financial independence.
The East and South East Asian Dementia Support Hub (ESEA DaSH) and Library is established to provide specialised support for people living with dementia and their carers.
2021
Bristol and Avon Chinese Women’s Group is relaunched as the Chinese Community Wellbeing Society (Registered Charity Number: 1181750).
2020
As Covid-19 grips the world, services are adapted to be delivered remotely and training is provided to the community to ensure that they are able to continue to receive help when they need it and to join activities and events to breakdown isolation, brought on by social distancing and support bubbles.
2019
Funding is renewed for the Chinese Lantern Project to continue community development across the south west of England.
2018
After running a series of pilot and test projects for BAB, we established the Food and Nutrition Project, which shared culture and stories between different BME communities using food as the common language.
2017
Launch of “The Dementia Experiences of People from Caribbean, Chinese and South Asian Communities in Bristol” report, working in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society, Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service, Bristol City Council, Bristol Black Carers, UWE and Dhek Bhal. The report is supported by Lord Philip Hunt and Baroness Sally Greengross.
2016
Chinese Lantern Project – Helpline extended to include Devon and Cornwall, meaning the helpline effectively covered the entire South Western region of England.
2015
Participated in the development of Bristol Ageing Better (BAB), which won a share of £87 million between with 13 other partnerships across the UK over a seven year period.
2014
Chinese Lantern Project – Helpline established to provide a reliable telephone support service to Chinese individuals needing help with a wide range of problems, initially covering the former Avon and Somerset area.
2013
Work begins to upgrade the Sitting Service to the Care Support Service, offering enchanced and more in-depth support to carers and the person they look after.
2012
Group receives the Advice Services Alliance’s Advice Quality Standard for the provision of General Advice and Information. The Golden Canary arts club for Chinese elders begins.
2011
The Chinese Law and Order Group (CLOG) is set up and runs a number of well received workshops with funding from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s Diversity Fund.
2010
Oriental Pearl arts club set up for Chinese elders with depression or dementia and their carers.
2009
Worked with REACH to set up the Creative Elders Workshop to promote mental wellbeing in Chinese elders.
The organisation celebrates the 20th Anniversary of its founding.
2008
Chinese Healthy Mind Project in association with Care Services Improvement Partnership – West Midlands.
2007
Group receives the Legal Services Commission’s Quality Mark for the provision of General Advice and Information.
2006
Culmination of the elderly Chinese housing project with the opening of Colliers Gardens by HRH The Princess Royal, with ten flats specifically allocated for Chinese tenants.
2005
Completed “Celebrating Our Culture” Project discussing mental wellbeing issues for carers, elderly and isolated women.
2004
Helped to set up the Chinese Community Liaison Officer with Avon and Somerset Constabulary, to break down cultural and language barriers that the community faced in engaging with the police.
2003
Completed a project commissioned by Bath and North East Somerset Council to explore the Chinese mental health needs.
2002
Sitting Service Project expands into South Gloucestershire to enable more carers to benefit from its work.
2001
Became a registered charity (Registered Charity Number: 1079401 – removed from the register in 2021 and replaced with CCWS entry below).
2000
Sitting Service Project set up to provide respite breaks, emotional support and training for Chinese carers in Bristol.
1999
Celebrated the 10th Anniversary of its formation.
1998
Formation of the South Gloucestershire Chinese Forum, which later became the South Gloucestershire Chinese Association.
1997
The newly refurbished “Drop-in” Day Centre opens in Penfield Court, to hold weekly support sessions and activities for the community.
1996
Set up the Chinese helpline and casework surgery in South Gloucestershire.
1995
Set up a casework service in Bristol.
1994
Helped to recruit a Chinese speaking Maternity Health Link worker to enable expectant mothers to communicate with health services in their native tongue.
1993
Worked with the Inner City Mental Health Team to study the health and social care needs of the Chinese community.
1992
Carried out research into the housing needs of the Chinese elderly.
1991
Produced a report on the health and social care needs of the Chinese community with the University of Bristol.
1990
Helped to set up the Race Forum and the Translation and Interpreting Department for Avon County Council (now known as Bristol City Council).
Work started on a housing project for the Chinese elderly.
1989
The Bristol and Avon Chinese Women’s Group was formed.
Chinese Community Wellbeing Society 