Chinese outreach programme launches Sheffield museum community exhibition

More than 2,000 people attended the launch of a new two-year exhibition at Weston Park Museum to celebrate 170 years of the Chinese community in Sheffield.

The Changing Seasons launch event, which coincided with the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations and featured a lively lion dance, highlighted the reach and impact of Sheffield’s Chinese and British-Chinese community.

The family-friendly exhibition, organised by Sheffield’s outreach initiative Changing Seasons, has been created by members of this community across generations from memories, treasured objects, and family stories and celebrates the resilience, culture, and everyday lives of the people who have made Sheffield their home.

It was officially opened at Weston Park Museum by Hock-Ann Chia, the Deputy Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Safiya Saeed, Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Chief Executive of Sheffield Museums Kim Streets and distinguished members of the Chinese Community.

Mr Hock-Ann Chia said: “Congratulations to Changing Seasons, your team of people from the community and Weston Park Museum who made this wonderful project a great success. I thoroughly enjoyed the well organised and exciting event. We are so glad to see so many people from the community participating in this historic occasion.”

Wake Smith Solicitors’ Stephanie Chung helped launch the Changing Seasons initiative with Jonathan Rowley of Hamnett Wealth, Kerre Chen, Dominic Ng, Ana Chan, Geo Law and representatives from the Chinese Community Centre (SCCC) and Sheffield Chinese Association (SCA).

Stephanie Chung, who specialises in later life legal matters, said: “At the heart of the exhibition are treasured memories, photos, and voices from local community members — many of which have been lovingly collected.

“The display showcases the history and stories of the Chinese community in Sheffield from 1855 to the present day. It was created through cross-generation workshops, combining family stories, art, music, and shared meals to highlight care, kindness, and community spirit.

“Our lives are shaped by experiences. Just as the seasons change, so do our cultures, identities, and perspectives. Changing Seasons reflects our journey – growth, evolving identities, and continuity of community life.”

People of Chinese and East/Southeast Asian heritage have lived in Sheffield since at least 1855, becoming more visible in the early 20th century through family-run laundries, restaurants, and shops that welcomed new arrivals. Families put down roots, built careers, friendships, and a sense of belonging, while holding on to traditions that connected them across distance and change.

The community continues to celebrate those roots today through Lion Dance, New Year, Dragon Boat and Mid-Autumn festivities, shared meals, and stories passed down at kitchen tables. Community groups including the Sheffield Chinese Association, Sheffield Chinese Christian Church, and the Lai Yin Women’s Association have nurtured support and connection while Sheffield Chinese School and the Confucius Institute’s Star Mandarin School help keep language, culture, and heritage alive. The Sheffield Chinese Community Centre on London Road also offers a warm, welcoming home for all ages.

Sheffield’s outreach initiative Changing Seasons was set up in 2024. It has connected and reconnected hundreds of community members raising awareness of dementia and associated care and services within Sheffield’s (ESEA) community after language, long working hours, cultural differences and isolation were highlighted as some of the barriers why they may not be accessing mainstream health provision and each other.

For further information on ESEA events visit www.changingseasons.co.uk or for information on later life legal matters call Stephanie Chung on 0114 224 2114.

"Changing Seasons" will remain on display for two years, providing a long-term opportunity for the public to engage with the stories and heritage of Sheffield’s Chinese and ESEA communities and can be seen in the Sheffield Life and Times Gallery at Weston Park Museum.