Launched earlier this year the Summer & mid-Autumn Events Grant programme enabled VCSE organisations in the North West to bid for up to £7,500 of funding to deliver a one off, or small series of, events throughout August to October. These events coincide with the school summer holidays and the Mid-Autumn festival celebrated by some in Hong Kong and South East Asia, which this year falls on 27th September 2023. These events are aimed at supporting the integration of Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders in the North West as well as educating other local residents about Hong Kong culture and welcoming them to the events.
In total 21 organisations across the North West have been funded to deliver events, they are:
Wai Yin Society in Greater Manchester – have been funded to deliver 3 events in August, September and October:
- A trip to Alton towers for up to 50 BN(O) visa holders
- A Dumpling Cultural Exchange event for up to 60 people, bringing together people form Hong Kong, Pakistan, Taiwan, and Poland to each create their nations take on dumplings.
- A Mid-Autumn Festival for 80 people celebrating the culture of Hong Kong and South East Asia.
You can visit their website here to learn more: www.waiyin.org.uk
Trafford Hongkongers in Greater Manchester – have been funded to deliver a one off event and two separate workshops, including:
- A cultural festival in Trafford Greater Manchester including Hongkongese learning for children, face painting, calligraphy and English language learning for older people.
- Two Workshops on Hong Kong signature food, one in Trafford and one in Preston.
For more information visit their website here: www.traffordhongkongers.co.uk
Wirral Chinese Cultural Association in Merseyside – have been funded to deliver three events across August to October. Including:
- A Summer Get Together/Family Fun Fair supporting the integration of the Hong Kong community into the local area.
- Day Trip around Wirral for up to 70 BN(O)s, supporting their introduction to the area.
- A celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Wirral Change in Merseyside – have been funded to deliver a one off summer festival partnering with Wirral Chinese Association.
Edgeley Community Church in Greater Manchester – has been funded to deliver 3 cultural events across August to October:
- A Summer-style BBQ Festival and Milk Tea event, with performances, music and dancers.
- A Mid-Autumn Festival celebration.
- An Art Exhibition of Hong Kong Art.
For more information and contact details you can visit their website here: Stockport Methodist Circuit – Edgeley (stockportcircuit.org.uk)
Good Neighbour Church England in Greater Manchester – have been funded to deliver a Fun Fair for Hong Kong family’s with makers stalls, performances and information booths.
For more information please email: gnce.manchester@gmail.com
Hong Kong Scouser in Merseyside – have been funded to deliver to events/trips to educate new BN(O) arrivals of British history and folklore for up to 196 BN(O) visa holders, they are:
- A visit to Warwick castle with English Knights.
- A visit to Sherwood Forest to learn about Robin Hood.
Lightime CIC in Greater Manchester – have been funded to deliver a number of events, including:
- Mid-Autumn Arts Showcase of Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.
- Community Lantern Painting Workshops
- Community Lantern Exhibition.
For more information please visit their website here: www.lightimmechannel.com
Migrant Support in Greater Manchester – have been funded to deliver a programme called the Bauhinia Project. It consists of 3 events:
- A one-day summer festival
- A day trip for BN(O)s to Liverpool to understand its history and culture.
- A one-day Autumn Festival with a full day of events celebrating Hong Kong culture.
For more information and contact details please visit their website here: www.migrantsupport.or.guk
Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Race Equality Centre (CHAWREC) in Cheshire – have been funded to deliver two events across the county focusing on the Lantern Festival in September.
- Hosting one event in Warrington, and
- Hosting a second event in another part of the county.
For more information please contact lionel@chawrec.org.uk or lydia@chawrec.org.uk
The Alliance Manchester in Greater Manchester – has been funded to deliver its project titled “Taste of Belonging” which has two parts to it:
- 2 x Coffee and Art Workshops for BN(O)s
- Hong Kong Culture Festival and Art Exhibition
Events will be taking place in September and October, for more information please visit their website here: The Alliance Manchester – Church (International) (alliancemcr.com)
Hong Kong Nursing Association UK in Greater Manchester – have been funded to deliver an information and health event in Greater Manchester, including: Game and Health booths, food and drink stalls, and sharing sessions.
For more information please contact: hknursinguk@gmail.com
The Hub, Altrincham in Greater Manchester – has been funded to deliver a one-off Mid-Autumn Festival Family Arts and Crafts Day for up to 100 people in the Trafford area. For more information please contact info@ourhub.org
LEAF Language Library in Greater Manchester – has been funded to deliver two events in Trafford Greater Manchester in September.
- A Lantern and Moon Festival with lantern making and moon cakes, as well as Hong Kong street dance and discussions.
- A Mid-Autumn Festival the following week
For more information please email multiculturalwomensgroup@gmail.com
Big Help Project in Merseyside – has been funded to deliver a Mid-Autumn festival at the end of September. The event will have lantern making stations, Hong Kong street food, Moon cakes, storytelling, and a wellbeing space. For more information please visit: www.bighelpproject.com
4Wings in Merseyside – have been funded to deliver an employment and wellbeing event focused on Job Searching, Networking and Mental Health. Including information sessions, panel discussions as well as CV reviews and mock interviews. For more information please visit: 4wings.co.uk
African Caribbean Care Group in Greater Manchester – has been funded to deliver a Cultural Exchange Day inviting members of the BN(O) community to their centre to engage with their African Caribbean service users. The event will consist of both communities showcasing their food, music, language and culture as a way of fostering integration between these two historic migrant communities.
For more information please visit: www.accg.org.uk
Fair Futures in Greater Manchester – has been funded to deliver a number of events in September and October in Bury, including:
- An event with local primary school children with members of the Hong Kong community demonstrating how to make artwork, lanterns, prints and mooncakes as well as sharing stories about the Mid-Autumn Festival with children from local primary schools.
- A drop in session for families where the BN(O) community can meet with other local families to share Mid-Autumn festivities.
For more information please email: fairfutures@outlook.com
Wirral Chinese Christian Church in Merseyside – has been funded to deliver its project titled “Harmony in the Moonlight of Hong Kong”. Their event will involve a two night Family Camp over the Mid-Autumn Festival with a programme including a BBQ, Campfire, Team Building for Children and Adults and adventure activities.
Salford Hongkongers CIC in Greater Manchester – has been funded to deliver a large Mid-Autumn Festival event. The event will bring together food, music, performances and handicrafts all while celebrating Hong Kong Culture and encouraging local residents to attend.
For more information please email: salfordhongkongers@gmail.com
Central Church Warrington in Cheshire – have been funded to deliver an event to local BN(O) residents to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.