Chinese Welfare Association
The Chinese community constitutes the largest ethnic minority group in Northern Ireland numbering close to 8000 people.
Two initial barriers to participation with Conservation Volunteers were recognised through consultation with the Chinese Welfare Association (CWA). Firstly, the majority of the first generation population have problems adapting to the English language. Secondly, the Chinese community is dispersed throughout Belfast and Bangor and do not own any green spaces to undertake any outdoor practical conservation work.
Working in partnership with the CWA, Conservation Volunteers overcame these problems by initially providing informative talks and literature offering taster sessions that were translated into both the English and the native Chinese language (Cantonese and Mandarin). Once the interests of the wider Chinese population were gauged Conservation Volunteers went one step further by adapting to the difficulties associated with the Chinese communities geographical spread and lack of facilities.
Since January both the Oi Yin Women's Group in Co. Down and the Oi Kwan Women's Group in Belfast have been transported to our training centre at the Clandeboye Estate Bangor. There they have undertaken various classes producing traditional willow sculptures such as Victorian rattles, creels and baskets. Once every month environmental workshops have also been undertaken with the CWA Afterschools Group who hire out a room at the Morton Community Centre in Belfast. The children have been involved in making bird feeders, small willow structures, identifying mini-beasts, planting trees and wildflowers in raised beds and a host of environmental games.
These initial workshops have proven to be a successful catalyst in strengthening our relationship with the CWA, stimulating the desire for the provision of more exciting practical activities in the near future. Once more these workshops have provided an excellent opportunity to meet new people, share new experiences and simply to have fun.