Reading HongKongers CIC and the Community Led Research Pilot

The Reading HongKongers CIC were one of the six community organisations who participated in the Community Led Research Pilot (CLRP). They were founded in 2022, and support Hongkongers who have settled in the Berkshire area through the government scheme of British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa route, to integrate into the local community. 

The Community-Led Research Pilot (CLRP) was a programme of six projects which were co-created between community groups across Reading and Slough, the University of Reading (UoR), the British Science Association (BSA), and funded UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

As part of the pilot, they investigated the impacts of community gardening on belonging, identity, cohesion, biodiversity and mental wellbeing. They also aimed to find out the possibility of cultivating native Hong Kong plants and crops in Reading. 

Core research theme: Exploring the feasibility of growing culture-based crops and the impacts of social integration of new immigrants.

Community Leader: Pandora Liu and Shan Wong

University of Reading researchers: Dr Deepti Angra - Crop scientist - School of Agriculture Policy and Development, University of Reading, Dr Sarah Duddigan (Environmental Science, GES) 

Co-facilitator: Beth Scott – Food4Families 

As part of the concluded pilot, each group co-produced a series of tools and resources, including research findings, case studies, and videos:

Reading Hongkongers Participatory Video, Co-produced alongside the Cobra Collective

Reading Hongkongers Case Study

Reading Hongkongers end-of-project video

If you would like to know more about the Community Led Research Pilot, get in touch at [email protected]