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Mr Wan Tat Keung smiles proudly during his Lion dance. Bounding back and forth in front of the crowd, he seems much younger than his 71 years.Ìý

Mr Keung is part of the Islington Chinese Association's Lion Dance Troupe, a company comprised of over 65 year olds who travel around London to perform for charity or simply to entertain.

This is one of many activities that take place throughout London for the older generation of Chinese still straddling between their birthplace of China and their new home in the UK.Ìý

About 60,000 Chinese currently live in the capital. With many of 1960s settlers now reaching pensionable age, the Chinese community has taken action to provide adequate support and assistance.

Anything Is Possible

Coming from the small village of Ho Chung in Hong Kong's New Territories, Mr Wan Tat Keung initially found it difficult to adjust to life in the UK.Ìý

After first spending two years in Wales, he decided to come to London in 1963 for the bustling city life and strong Chinese community for support.Ìý

"When there is a problem, someone always helps me.Ìý That's true", he said.

After arriving in London, Mr Keung was lucky enough to have friends to help him find a job and place to live.

Mr Keung said: "In England, anything is possible."

A Sense of Community

Ms Yick Fun Lee decided to move to the UK 41 years ago after being inspired in her native Hong Kong.Ìý

"Before I came here, I met a British family.Ìý So I came (to) see them and I thought, 'oh okay I'll go'", she said.

Spurred on by the hope of new opportunities in the big city, she settled near the area of Queensway in London and was fortunate enough to quickly find stable work in a hotel.

"Everybody likes the big city.Ìý It's true, huh? For the big city I like to come to London.Ìý Looking for job is easy.Ìý I find work in a hotel", said Ms Lee.

Yick Fun Lee

Friendship

Now 73 years old, Ms Lee still is strongly connected to her roots but has a great affinity with the UK.

SheÌý has an equal amount of Chinese and English friends and also enjoys traditional UK cuisine.

As a nod to her Hong Kong roots, she also attends weekly Tai Chi classes and her local Chinese Association.

Ms Lee said: "I was retired and thinking that I wanted something to do.Ìý Something exciting in London."
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She said she visits the Islington Chinese Association regularly to meet "Friends… to talk to when I come here… I come all the time."

Culture Shock

For many elderly Chinese Londoners, their local Chinese Community Association helps combat isolation and creates a sense of belonging.Ìý

When Mr Yuk Law arrived in London over 40 years ago from Hong Kong, England the city was a very different place.

"First when I came here it was difficult.Ìý A little bit difficult.Ìý But now I am used to it."

Although he only knew basic English, he managed to find work at a Chinese Association helping other Chinese immigrants adjust to their new life in the UK.

"I was in the Chinese Association.Ìý I arranged to help the people", Mr Law said.

Although he helped others establish a sense of belonging and contentment in London, Mr Law had to wait seven years before his wife and family could join him in the UK.

Yuk Law

He now has three children and five grandchildren living in Britain.Ìý

The struggles the 1960's generation of Chinese endured paved the way for their children and the subsequent waves of Chinese immigration that have arrived in the capital since.

Mr Law said:Ìý "It was difficult for me, but (now) it is easier for my son and for my grandchild."