Meet the Waltham Forest Hong Kong Community
Chingford residents Angie and Shirley hosted an activity on behalf of the Waltham Forest Hong Kong Community at a recent event.
Our Community in Fellowship Square events provide funding to local community groups to host a range of activities, performances and workshops as a celebration of the diverse groups we have in Waltham Forest.
The Waltham Forest Hong Kong Community offered calligraphy workshops where visitors could practice writing Cantonese words and create their own bookmark. Visitors could also sample Hong Kong snacks such as mooncakes, enjoy a photograph exhibition and listen to a performance of famous Cantonese songs.
Angie said, “We were grateful to have a valuable opportunity to share Hong Kong culture with Waltham Forest residents. I liked talking to people and hope they learned more about my birthplace and what Hong Kong looks like. I believe it's the first time for some people to hear about Hong Kong, but it won't be the last time. I hope the Hong Kong community in Waltham Forest can see everyone soon.”
There is a growing Hong Kong community in the borough. Angie moved to Chingford from Hong Kong a year ago and has settled well in her new area.
Angie said, “I think the Waltham Forest community is inclusive and welcoming to people of different backgrounds. I even found some Chinese books in the local library – what a pleasant surprise!
“There are quite a few Hong Kong families living in Waltham Forest and east London. We love to have picnics together in the summer and dine at restaurants together. We loved having the opportunity to meet more people in the community to share more about our traditions and culture.”
The Community in Fellowship Square event was introduced to bring the community together so we can all learn more about the people that make up our borough.
Activities to support Hong Kong British National Overseas (BN(O)) status holders in Waltham Forest are made possible by the Greater London Authority Local Welcome Hong Kong Fund.
If you are interested in learning more about Chinese calligraphy, you can click here to follow Angie on Instagram.
Our Migrant Advice Single Point of Contact service provides support to residents from migrant backgrounds, get in touch or find out more about help available.
You can find more about our ambitions to become a Borough of Sanctuary, a welcoming place for people from all over the world who want to make Waltham Forest their home, by clicking this link to the webpage on our website.