Update on the Old Bath House Community Project

Dear supporters,

I hope you are safe and well.

It has been six months since we last updated you on the progress of the

project.

We scheduled a meeting with Hackney Council to discuss the lease of the Old

Bath House on 18 March 2020. However, the meeting was postponed due to

the corona virus lockdown. Upon easing of lockdown, we have written to

Hackney Council seeking to resume the discussion.

As reported in the last update, Hackney Chinese Community Services is now

the sole organisation delivering the project; and we invited those who wish to

withdraw their pledge to write to Spacehive to process the refund.

This process has now been completed, out of the 424 backers pledged

£53,360, 53 withdrew their pledges and requested refund of accumulate total

£4,435. The total amount of refund is 8.3% of the total budget. It does not

affect the viability of the community kitchen.

During lockdown, HCCS diverted all its resources to supporting the

communities it serves to cope with the impact of the corona virus, making sure

our vulnerable members and users are sufficiently supported with food, shelter

and health/mental health.

From the beginning of the outbreak, there has been a 3 fold increase in

reported race crime against Chinese to the police, and a 900% increase in

hate speech on Twitter directed towards China and the Chinese. East and

Southeast Asian communities became the target of racial abuse and attack.

There are many reports in local and national media reporting Chinese, Thai,

Korean, Filipino, Singaporean, Vietnamese being shouted at or physically

attacked, because of their appearance.

These recent events have confirmed HCCS’s belief that the common interests

and concerns amongst East and Southeast Asians communities are far

greater than our differences. HCCS will redouble its efforts in establishing the

Old Bath Community House as the first resource centre for East and

Southeast Asian communities.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our wonderful backers who

continue to demonstrate confidence with HCCS in delivering this project,

HCCS looks to redouble our efforts to make our vision a reality.

Regards

Jabez Lam

Project Delivery Manager for The Old Bath Community House