Glasgow Chinese Recreation Centre Annual Report 2025
Established in 2018, the Glasgow Chinese Recreation Centre is a non-profit charitable organisation with over 400 members. Supported through funding from partner organisations and government grants, the Centre is dedicated to bringing the Chinese community together and providing a wide range of activities for different groups across Glasgow.
Our mission is to celebrate traditional Chinese culture while embracing the diversity of ethnic cultures within wider society. Throughout the year, we deliver cultural and social programmes— particularly around traditional Chinese festivals—encouraging community participation, connection, and engagement.
These activities help members build friendships, strengthen social skills, and settle into life in Scotland. They also support health and well-being by fostering communication, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging. We mainly operate out of Saint Matthew’s Centre in Possilpark.
Community Goals and Activities
Our goal is to enhance wellbeing through five healthy lifestyle priorities and to contribute positively to society, helping to reduce pressure on the NHS:
We offer services such as Tai Chi class, English class, Lunch Club, Dancing Class, Group Dancing, Calligraphy class (with Chinese painting) and Day trips.
We have also provided talks from the local Police and a dementia expert, for example.
We provide support for New Scots arriving from Hong Kong as well as those that arrived many years ago.
We function as an information hub, helping people access services they require, like doctor's appointments and hospital visits. Some of our English classes focus on how to talk to doctors, how to catch buses.
This year, there has been an extra focus to train a large dance group to perform waist drum dancing and fan dancing in public spaces and as part of festivals. Some members have shown a marked increase in confidence by taking part in these activities.
We continue to support our older member, some of whom are in their 90s and others who suffer from dementia and other health problems.
The main focus of the group is to give a sense of community and to reduce isolation. We hope to give our members good health through exercise and home-cooked food, as well as regular exercise within a warm space.
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Community Support and Special Initiatives
Many of our members are first-generation Chinese migrants in Scotland and may have limited family networks locally. The Centre provides an essential support system where members can develop friendships, share experiences, and stay connected.
In June 2025, we were pleased to receive National Lottery funding through the Ethnic Minority Development Fund. This support enabled us to sustain and further develop the expanded programme of activities introduced last year, which marked our first year of funded delivery
Community Allotment
Our community allotment is located in Springburn and plays an important role in supporting health and wellbeing. By growing our own vegetables and flowers, members reduce their carbon footprint while creating valuable habitats for wildlife, including robins, hedgehogs, frogs, and bumblebees.
The allotment offers a welcoming space for members to spend time outdoors, stay active, connect with nature, and strengthen community ties—supporting both physical and mental wellbeing. As we develop and grow, we also aim to support other communities and contribute to wider society.
Annual Events and Cultural Celebrations
Each year, we organise outdoor activities—such as strawberry picking—to give older members opportunities to enjoy new experiences beyond their usual routines.
We also arrange group trips and celebrate major Chinese festivals. In addition, we hold a monthly birthday celebration on the first Wednesday of each month for members with birthdays in that month.
At the Glasgow Chinese Recreation Centre, we are committed to building a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive community, enriching the lives of local Chinese residents through cultural, educational, and recreational activities. We welcome everyone to join us. Please have a look at some photos from last year.
ABOVE- JOINT BIRTHDAY PARTY AT THE ALLOTMENT BELOW: MEETING LOCAL GROUPS FROM POSSILPARK AREA
ABOVE: GROUP TRIP TO PERTH FOR STRAWBERRY PICKING JULY 18 2025
BELOW: TAI CHI CLASS, OCTOBER 2025
ABOVE:
MERCHANT CITY FESTIVAL 27TH JULY- CHINESE WAIST DRUM DANCING WITH THE GLASGOW CHINESE RECREATION CENTRE DANCE TROUPE. BELOW: SPRINGBURN FESTIVAL 18 OCTOBER 2025
SPECIAL VISITS: ABOVE- DEMENTIA EXPERT COMES TO GIVE A TALK
BELOW: LOCAL POLICE COME TO GIVE A TALK AND SHOW SUPPORT.
ABOVE: SUMMER IS THE TIME TO PLANT SEEDLINGS AT THE ALLOTMENT BELOW: LINE DANCING IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR ACTIVITIES.
ABOVE: JULY 14 EDINBURGH ARTS FESTIVAL -FAN DANCE AND DRUM PERFORMANCE BELOW: NOVEMBER 23- FAN DANCE PRACTICE
ABOVE: CHRISTMAS PARTY BELOW: CALLIGRAPHY/ CHINESE PAINTING CLASS EVERY SUNDAY
ABOVE” DANCING IS THE MAIN JOY OF MOST OF OUR MEMBERS BELOW: ENGLISH CLASS 21 MAY 2025 ALWAYS WELL ATTENDED EVERY WEDNESDAY BOTH REGULAR ACTIVITIES AT ST MATTHEW’S CENTRE
ABOVE: THE LUNCH CLUB ON WEDNESDAYS BRINGS EVERYONE TOGETHER BELOW: PROVIDING ENTERTAINMENT FOR LOCAL CHARITY “SHARING COWLAIRS”. JUNE.
MAY 2025: IT’S ALWAYS SOMEONE’S BIRTHDAY AND ALWAYS A LOVELY COMMUNITY SPIRIT!
ABOVE: TEA DANCING FROM 14 MAY 2025: TEA DANCE AT WOODSIDE HALL BELOW: LINE DANCING AND TAI CHI AT ST MATTHEW’S CENTRE