South Mountain Chinese Older People's Association

Tell us about your organisation (history, aims, vision):

South Mountain Chinese Older People's Association was setup in January 1990. It has gone through many changes since then, such as changes in name, in location, and in who we serve.

It is the first project of its kind to meet the needs of the Chinese older people in Newcastle. Due to the unique service in the city and the region attracts Chinese older people from Gateshead, Whitley Bay, Sunderland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Durham and Northumberland etc….

In April 2008, South Mountain registered as a Charity.

In 2018, September, South Mountain moved into Brunswick Methodist Church in the City Centre.

All in all we have overcome different obstacles and are pleased to witness  the project  growing from  a small hill into a Majestic South Mountain.         

 Aims of our organisation:

  1. To provide a safe and user friendly place for Chinese older people to befriend, to learn and to socialise
  2. To assist the Chinese older people to access services/activities
  3. To assist Chinese older people to have a voice and a unified approach

 

Who do you serve? How do they access services?

We mainly serve the Chinese Community aged 50 and over; but welcome non-Chinese older people to become members.

There is a membership involved, but we welcome all members of any age to share our service regardless.

 

What are your current projects or services?

We are open twice per month for our lunch sessions. We run a range of activities and services at our Luncheon Club at the Brunswick Methodist Church.  Birthdays will be celebrated on the first Thursday of each month. 

To date services/activities from March 3 2022

  •  Service providers will be invited to give a talk about their services on a monthly basis;
  • Awareness sessions relating to Health/Social aspects to be arranged on a monthly basis;   
  • Social support such as letter writing/reading and Welfare Rights matters etc. continue to be available; these are important part of our mission.

At present we are keeping a low profile and cautious of post pandemic.  Hopefully by 2023, our usual activities and services will be fully resumed.

 

Have you adapted your service during the pandemic? 

We closed our service during the start pandemic. We are now running a reduced programme.

We have COVID measures in place to protect everyone who comes in for lunch and for other services. .

 

What are your three main concerns at the moment?

  • Funding - So far we have about 25 participants at each gathering. Ideal number is 50- Each member pays £3.50 (£4 from April) for their food and drink and £8 each for membership. The income contributes to overhead expenses such as the rent, food and drink and volunteers' travel cost. They all amount to about £250.  In order for South Mountain to continue, Public/Social fund is required.
  •  Ability Capacity – We need a fundraiser or a writer to help us apply for funding. 
  • Inflation cost

 

Contact details for organisation:

Phone: 07870994053

Email: sowfongcol@sky.com