A feast for the senses – a visit with the Chinese Social Support Group
Our Clifton Respite Cottage in Preston is filled with a lively mix of sounds as the Chinese social support group gathers. The rhythmic clatter of mahjong tiles being shuffled and placed on the table blends with the soft murmur of conversation and frequent bursts of laughter. Nearby, a group plays a card game, the vigorous slapping of cards on the table punctuating their quiet, serious voices. Across the hall, the sharp ‘pock’ of the ping pong ball echoes as players take turns rallying back and forth on the makeshift table. And in the middle of it all, one client sits with his phone, the melody of Chinese music drifting through the air, weaving a sense of home and connection into the vibrant atmosphere.
Watching the seniors playing games, I am struck by their youthful spirit. Most are in their eighties – Bau Zhu at the mahjong table is 94 and just as I turn to look, she wins the game with a humble smile! I notice only two of the 12 attendees are wearing glasses, and just one gentleman, Peirong (88 years young), uses a mobility aid. Have they discovered a secret to staying young?
As I marvel at their energy, another sensation draws my attention – an enticing aroma wafting from the kitchen. Over by the stove, Mary, the cook, stirs a pot of bubbling chicken stock, preparing lunch for the group. Today’s menu: mushroom soup, braised pork with tofu, and stir-fried vegetables. Meanwhile, our driver, Zoran, hands out fruit for morning tea, offering me a small bowl of grapes and watermelon. My rumbling stomach is grateful. Perhaps a diet rich in fresh fruit is their secret? But just as I settle on this theory, Michelle, the assistant facilitator, hands out Daoxiangcun cookies, and I promptly abandon it, happily biting into the sugary treat.
Later, as the seniors gather for lunch, I marvel at the heaped plates before them – soon polished clean as they chat and laugh. I had always assumed appetites dwindled with age, but the Chinese seniors swiftly busted that myth. Could it be that hearty, nourishing meals are the secret to their vitality? I want to believe this, but the waistband on my trousers is straining uncomfortably on my full belly. Lunch was very tasty, but if I ate like this every day, I’m sure that my doctor would have some stern words for me.
My senses reel from the sights, sounds, and flavours of the Chinese Social Support Group, but I am still puzzled. What IS it that keeps them so hearty and hale?
Michelle tells me that most of the seniors have been attending for over a decade. They choose their own activities, and the Wednesday group always favours mahjong and cards – both strategic games that keep the mind sharp – and ping pong, which is great for hand-eye coordination. The chatter and laughter throughout the day are proof of the social connection they share, something we all know is vital for wellbeing and longevity.
An active mind, physical exercise, a healthy diet, choice, and friendship. But aren’t these the ingredients of all our seniors’ social groups? There has to be something more, and I am determined to find out.
I ask the group at the mahjong table, “What is your secret?”
Ying Zhen, an elegant 89-year-old with bright, smiling eyes, responds without hesitation: “Always stay happy.”
Perhaps the real secret isn’t just diet, exercise, or games – it’s joy. And as I leave, I realise that might just be the best wisdom of all.
Bernadette Garcia – Head of Marketing and Communications
Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre