A COMMUNITY group has helped hundreds of Reading Hongkongers adjust to their new surroundings, and will ensure the latest arrivals enjoy their first Christmas in the Ding.
Life in Reading was set up by Ivan Wan and Suki Chung as a platform for Hongkongers to get practical help with finding a home, paying council tax and other administrative tasks, while also making festive cookies for those who have recently moved.
The group is made up of nine different WhatsApp chats and a Facebook page, each offering members to reach out to others with questions ranging from where to go out to eat and how to set up a bank account.
Although Ivan had lived in the UK for some time, Suki only arrived in 2018 but was keen to start assisting others from the outset, describing the group as Hongkongers’ “first friend” in Reading.
She explained: “We just started the Facebook and WhatApp groups to help Hong Kong people settle here and feel at home. It started with 200 people but now is bigger – we’ve got different groups which are divided by when people came here.
“For those who just came to Reading, they just need to contact us. We’ve had some people move elsewhere, but they are still part of the groups.”
Suki added that, because of the situation back home, many residents – including herself – were left with no choice but to leave. On her arrival, it was Ivan who helped her settle into her new surroundings. This experience inspired her to do the same for others.
Life in Reading’s Welcome Courses are based at different churches across the town, with their central base being Wycliffe Baptist Church. These meet-ups are tailored for various demographics, such as children and over-65s.
At these sessions, visitors trade anecdotes over tea or coffee, while also having the opportunity to speak with locals and learn more about British culture. Spearheaded by a team of five regular organisers, groups share meals and organise special one-off events and parties for public holidays, such as this Christmas.
The group’s work was recognised at this year’s BBC Radio Berkshire Make a Difference Awards, receiving highly commended status in the Good Neighbour category which received more than 300 nominations.
Of being shortlisted, Suki explained: “The first time I heard that we had been emailed about the awards, Ivan told me we were going to be interviewed by the BBC, I was wondering, “why us? We’re just a small potato in the grand scheme of things.”
“We were asked to join the event in September and it was fantastic.”
The group can be found at Life in Reading on Facebook, where organisers update users on its events, promotions, community achievements and even when the clocks go back or forward.
For more information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/msck7ytu
