Our History

The Chinese community in Kirklees originally used the National Children's Centre in Longroyd Bridge, Huddersfield as a base for activities back in 1975. The families in the community came from Hong Kong, speaking mainly Cantonese and working almost exclusively in the take-away businesses scattered throughout Kirklees.

Children's play weeks and weekend classes for children to learn English were started with no funding. Other classes soon followed as they were needed – English for adults, guitar and typing tuition, five-a-side football, etc.

A committee was formed and as the years progressed we were awarded small grants for our work, which allowed us to arrange family outings to the seaside each year and expenses for students who taught English to the children.

In 1996, a local authority requested the Chinese group to set up a day care service for Chinese older people, which ran once a week in Castle Grange Residential Home and was funded by Social Services. When Castle Grange closed, the day care service was moved to the National Children's Centre in Brian Jackson House in the town centre.

Numerous attempts to become an independent charity were unsuccessful until a new committee was formed in 1999 and HCCC was registered as a limited company in 2001 and a charity in 2003. As a small charitable organisation HCCC has made remarkable progress in setting up activities for Chinese people and taking part in local and national events.

A building in Huddersfield has since been refurbished and continues to develop to provide a meeting place for the community and a membership group has been formed with opportunities to share in the design of activities and services for the community.

Click here to view a timeline of our achievements and activities

HCCC Building 2003

Lunch Club

Christmas Party 2005

Thanks to...		© Huddersfield Chinese Community Centre 2008