Chinese New Year is a great occasion for getting together. For residents in Cheetwood, Manchester, this year’s event was the latest in a series designed to help people get to know each other.

Last summer local residents were to be found sharing a barbecue and a natter with their neighbours while the kids tackled a bouncy castle. It was just one of six events around the area designed to bring together older and younger people in their communities. Organised by Tung Sing Housing Association and funded by Manchester City Council, the Neighbours Day events were a roaring success.

As well as enjoying Chinese and English food, the neighbours at Kent Court met students from Hong Kong and Min Quan. Council experts were on hand to advise on waste recycling, while at another event the Chinese-speaking tenants learnt from the fire service how to report an emergency with minimal English. A clean-up day at another location also worked well.

Last year older tenants took trips to York and the Museum of Science and Industry together with staff and some young volunteers. Tung Sing community development officer Tara Hussain was among those who attended the Neighbours Day events. She says, “I enjoyed the events immensely, especially the positive energy and obvious pleasure from such a simple yet effective concept.”

It’s all part of Tung Sing’s initiatives to promote community cohesion and help overcome older people’s isolation. A project called Living Together provides language support to black and minority ethnic elderly residents to help them access mainstream sheltered accommodation. The association is also continuing to support other social landlords through a residents’ network to meet the needs of BME residents and encourage greater resident involvement across the city.

Community development support officer Davis Choi says this type of work is essential. “Thoroughly rewarding community participation events like Neighbours Days encourage harmony and understanding between different generations and cultures in a relaxed environment.”

Find out more www.tungsing.co.uk