Chinese action research project final report: household needs, public services and community organisations.

Aims

To explore needs, community organisations needed and key issues affecting the local Chinese community.

Methodology

The project was an action research initiative funded by a Health Action Zone grant and by Leeds City Council. A team of ten Chinese community researchers were trained and undertook a survey of 110 adults April to June 2004. Focus groups and interviews were undertaken with representatives of Chinese organisations and members.

Key issues

The report reviews the national context of the positioning of Chinese groups as ‘doing well’ among BME groups and describes migration and settlement in Leeds. A detailed analysis of need among Chinese people in Leeds is provided relating to households, asylum seekers, elderly and single parent groups. The findings provide data on settlement; poor housing conditions; the need for advice; racism, crime and isolation; poor health; and support needs related to the elderly, single parents, and children in schools. The study was undertaken in response to a perceived lack of institutional attention and poor understanding of Chinese community needs.

Conclusions

Many urgent problems and issues remain hidden with little attention being paid by public services. There is a need to transform casework concerns of community organisations into a collective agenda for action and campaigning.