Vietnamese residents reconnect at Centre 151

27 Oct 2026

Vietnamese residents reconnect at Centre 151

Vietnamese residents at Centre 151 in Hackney.

Earlier this summer, Vietnamese residents told us about the challenges and difficulties communicating with ISHA.

In the past, regular Vietnamese community gatherings, arranged by Liên Việt, gave people a chance to chat, share advice and get support. But since the Covid pandemic, many of these events haven't restarted, and residents have missed the opportunities to connect with each other.

On Sunday, 4 October, with help from a long-time resident, we met with 23 Vietnamese residents at Centre 151 in Hackney for an afternoon of food, music, conversation, and to find out more about what they want from ISHA.

What is Centre 151?

Centre 151 is an independent community hub supporting Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Lao communities through cultural, social, and community activities.

Many residents already knew the centre and use its services, making it a welcoming place to meet.

Meeting old friends again

For many people, the highlight of the afternoon was seeing familiar faces. One resident said: "I haven't seen some of these people in years. It's so nice to have everyone together."

Chuong, one of ISHA's Outreach and Support Officers, was mentioned throughout the day, with residents describing him as someone they trust and regularly turn to for information, advice and help.

Vietnamese residents talking about their experiences at Centre 151 in Hackney.

The challenges of language barriers

Residents shared their experiences of accessing services and reporting repairs, including the challenges that language barriers can create. Residents spoke about the importance of trusted support, but also about wanting to communicate and access services more independently.

As one resident explained: "A lot of people rely on friends, family or community representatives to help communicate when something goes wrong. This makes it hard for us to speak for ourselves."

Sharing their views on what matters

Residents completed two surveys during the event. The first one focused on what residents want from our repairs service, while the second survey explored community life and the places, activities and services that help people feel connected.

The feedback we got will help shape our repairs service and community investment strategy.

Get involved

You know your community better than anyone. If you're a Vietnamese resident and have an idea, want to share an experience, or want to talk to us about something that matters to you, email involvement@isha.co.uk or call 0300 131 7300 to connect with the Resident Involvement Team.

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