History of Cambridge Chinese Community Centre

During the early period of our Chinese settlement in Cambridge , the Chinese were either scholars attached to the university or caterers. The scholars could utilise the facilities at the University, while the caterers have no place to congregate for social pleasure or business. Therefore they carried out most of their activities in each other's home. Eventually the restrictions in numbers and space in one's private home became too great and they came to realise that with a central point more Chinese could be invited to contribute in their functions.

Consequently, the C4 (short for Cambridge Chinese Community Centre) was formed in November 1997, with their own constitutions, aims and objectives. A committee of members, supported by the elderly, women and youth groups, managed the centre.

Our vision is to develop a focal point for information and services, to help our Chinese merge with mainstream society; to emerge from our invisibility to participate actively in the society we live in, and to work closely with other voluntary groups for statutory rights and equal opportunities. We also aim to be a resource to the wider community on issues relating to the understanding of our Chinese culture, arts and identity.

Through translation and interpretation, we facilitate access to statutory and other voluntary services to alleviate hardships, while providing support and advocacy to improve the quality of life and well being of those who are disavandaged.

Therefore, for social activities, we carried on our traditions by celebrating our major festivals like Chinese New Year, Dragonboat festival, mid-autumn festival. In the millennium year 2000, with funding from the City Council and Awards for All, the Centre organised the Dragonboat tournament on Jesus Green by The River Cam. We were greatly privileged to have with us our Chinese Ambassador, the Honourable Ma Zhengang with his first and second secretaries, as well as The Right Honourable MP Mrs. Anne Campbell, the city's Mayor, and representatives from our local political parties, police and government departments. The Chinese Labour chairperson with other distinguished guests from various Chinese organisations, made up the ten teams of competitors in the tournament. From the University, we had Sir Boyd of Churchill College and Dr. Yuan Boping from the Oriental Faculty. On that day we have thousand of spectators.

In 2002, we participated in celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubilee, followed by a Chinese culture project with the Cambridge Central Library.

Apart from the above, we meet at the Community Centre every Sunday, to offer our day to day services such as:

• Free, impartial and confidential advice to our members .
• Free health checks by a Chinese acupuncturist, taking blood pressure, weight, answering basic medical queries and a glucose test.
• Keep fit, self-defence class, table-tennis, badminton, learning Chinese musical instruments, Karaoke, etc.
• A light lunch and refreshments provided by the centre.

In addition to the indoor activities we also arrange day outings, BBQs, health talks, workshops and many others which are beneficial to their health or employment.

In past years we have been funded by the Meet Project (European Social Fund) to help our members with employment. We worked closely with the Meet Project officers to offer them basic English and skills courses to enhance their employment opportunities.

Our members have increased from a handful to over two hundred now and at present, the most urgent need is for us to obtain a permanent address for our centre where we can truly carry out our services efficiently for the community.

We just hope this day is not far away, since it is impossible for a community to operate properlyon a one-day basis.