SIS has supported, sponsored and promoted Chinese New Year celebrations in Brighton & Hove for more than 25 years.
Good relations with the Chinese community have always been very important to our work.
We have been delighted to join in celebrations and use the opportunity to distribute translated self-referral cards and explain how people can access our services.
We are mindful that in the past service providers have held unhelpful stereotypes that have worked against fair access to public services.
I recall the observation of one of our most experienced Community Interpreters Ping Cheung Tang in our 2000 Annual Report:
“Many social service providers have remarked that the Chinese are self-sufficient and seldom use public services. This is a myth about one of the most long-established communities in the Brighton & Hove”.
This year our newest colleague Bera (SIS Coordinator) represented SIS at the New Year celebrations organised by the Chinese Education Development Project (CEDP).
Bera lived in China for 6 months. She writes:
‘Zhong Guo, Wo ai ni’ meaning China, I love you, cited one of the poems read by the children of the Chinese community attending the celebrations at the Chinese New Lunar Year 2024.
The event was buzzing with families of Chinese and British descent who were thrilled to watch the many shows. These included traditional Chinese music, poetry, dancing and, of course, the dance of the gold and red dragon who symbolizes the beginning of the Year of the Dragon.
In the Chinese zodiac sign, the dragon is a renowned symbol of prosperity and good luck and the first sign of the Chinese zodiac, marking the beginning of a cycle in the lunar year count.
SIS was happy to attend the event among friends and Service Users of the Chinese community, who would regularly benefit from our services in which bridges are being strengthened every day.
Other activities included calligraphy, dumpling making and crafts such as Chinese lanterns.
We are thrilled to learn that Sussex Interpreting Services (SIS) will once again support the CEDP organised Chinese New Year event, and we appreciate your willingness to increase the sponsorship to accommodate rising costs. Your generous support is truly appreciated. Wishing you and your team a joyful and prosperous New Year! (Xuemeng CEDP Manager)
Bera Benitez (SIS Coordinator)
Arran Evans (SIS Director)
