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Capturing the stories of London's Chinatown

People sharing memories
Sharing memories

Your Heritage

Dyddiad a ddyfarnwyd
Lleoliad
Hoxton East & Shoreditch
Awdurdod Lleol
Hackney
Ceisydd
Chinese Mental Health Association
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£50000
‘This is the best time to capture the stories of the original pioneers in Chinatown, just before we lose them. We hope that their contribution will be recognised; and the whole community will celebrate the success with them.’
Leon Lee, Chief Executive of CMHA
The memories and life stories of the people who built and defined the character of London's Chinatown were captured and shared with younger generations.

The Chinese Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a charity that provides community-based mental health support to the Chinese community in the UK. The CMHA feared that second and third generation Chinese Londoners were at risk of losing touch with their heritage. They wanted to empower older members of the community to share their life stories and experiences. The CMHA website pays much attention to how the charity is combatting mental illness in the British-Chinese population.

The CMHA hoped to increase understanding of Chinese culture, lifestyle, education, migration and mental health issues. It also wanted to raise awareness of the contribution of first generation Chinese migrants to the history of the capital city.

The project created 50 oral history recordings, the documentary How Far Do Leaves Fall?, and a children’s booklet, Dragons and Teacups.

Over 30 volunteers developed oral history interviewing and recording skills. The project raised awareness of the heritage of the UK’s Chinese community nationwide. The project was so successful that CMHA went on to deliver another HLF-funded heritage project.