At the end of March about fifty members of the Hong Kong community in Leeds celebrated the successful completion of a work and health project at Beeston Village Community Centre.
The project, funded by the West Yorkshire Mayor, was a programme to support people to improve their health, confidence and wellbeing, while taking steps towards work, learning or volunteering.
Four years ago Health For All set up the Next Stop Café, providing social support and practical advice to Hongkongers newly arrived in Leeds. In fact it wasn’t an actual café, but a group of the Hongkongers planned and delivered their own pop-up cafe, as part of the Work and Health Project.
This involved setting up teams to work on catering, decoration, budgeting and marketing. They also completed their Level 2 Food Hygiene training and learned to sew their own aprons.
Because March includes both International Women’s Day and Mothers’ Day, the group decided to hold a charity afternoon tea at Beeston Village Community Centre.
Over 20 sessions the group learned new skills and planned and delivered a successful event, boosting their confidence in speaking to new people and trying new things. They visited the University of Leeds Lifelong Learning Centre, the Business support centre at Leeds Central Library and got tips from the Bridge café in Cross Flatts Park.
The event was a great success with over £400 raised for a women’s and children’s charity.
Natalie, one of the members of the group, reflected:
“I learned a lot: food hygiene and how to use a sewing machine and I made an apron for myself and I’m so proud of it. I learned to cook different styles of food, a how to set up a new business – that’s very precious. What I treasure most is the running of the afternoon tea event. I could feel the Hong Kong spirit of solidarity and hard work. I have more confidence, I’m grateful to have taken part in the project and I’m proud of being one of the members of the group.”
Joseph, who took on the manager’s role said he was proud of the team as they tackled their ‘mission impossible’. He was pleased that:
“As a Hong Kong group we can dedicate ourselves and make a little bit of a difference to the community.
“We ran two sessions. In the morning it was the first time we’d done it, we were nervous and didn’t want customers to be waiting too long. At the end we were exhausted. But in the afternoon everything ran smoothly because we had the experience.
“So this taught us that actually we can conquer the challenge. For us Hongkongers in the UK everything is new to us but we can adapt and overcome, so I want to say thank you to Huazhu and everyone at Health For All.”
Cllr Shaf Ali (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck) commented:
“What an amazing project, I think it’s brilliant work you’ve done for the community. You’ve built the confidence of your team. When people come to this country they need this kind of support. I want to thank you for this successful project, for making a positive contribution to the Beeston community.”
Pat McGeever, CEO of Health For All, said:
“I’m delighted to be here today and to hear what a wonderful project this has been. I want you to know that things worked so well over that 6 month period that we’ve secured funding for another year and that’s down to you. Ever since we started working with the Hongkongers, well I just feel privileged to offer support to you. You’re an amazing group of people.”
Photo: Members of the project with their certificates, Cllr Shaf Ali, Pat McGeever and suppport staff from Health For All
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