#SpeakUp: Sheffield Chinese Community Centre

Healthwatch Sheffield awarded a grant to the Sheffield Chinese Community Centre in March 2020 to explore how the Covid-19 pandemic was affecting Sheffield’s Chinese community and how information about the pandemic could be communicated more effectively. The project gathered feedback from 39 people of different ages, including long-term Sheffield residents and international students. Many participants reported obtaining information through Chinese-language social media platforms , while others relied on mainstream news sources, family members and community networks. Respondents often felt well informed about national developments but less informed about the local situation in Sheffield. 

A key finding was the importance of trusted community organisations as sources of information. Many participants said they would prefer to receive updates through organisations such as the Sheffield Chinese Community Centre or local Chinese student groups. Respondents highlighted language barriers as a significant obstacle to accessing information and expressed a desire for more bilingual communication and locally relevant updates. Many felt that important information from local authorities and health services was not always reaching members of the Chinese community through the channels they regularly used. 

Participants also described the wider impact of the pandemic on their wellbeing. While none reported accessing health services for Covid-19 treatment, those who commented on NHS services generally described positive or neutral experiences. However, many respondents expressed concerns about anxiety, isolation and uncertainty. Some worried about the availability of personal protective equipment, while others believed mask-wearing should be more widely encouraged. Concerns about discrimination and anti-Asian racism were also raised, with some people reporting fears about going out in public because of hostility directed towards people of East Asian heritage. 

The report recommended that local authorities and NHS organisations strengthen engagement with the Chinese community by working through trusted community organisations, making greater use of platforms commonly used within the community, and providing more translated and accessible information. It also highlighted the need to consider how diverse communities would be supported as Covid-19 restrictions eased, particularly where language barriers, social isolation and existing inequalities had intensified the impact of the pandemic.