Money needed for interpreters

Elderly Chinese people are isolated because of the language barrier

A multi-cultural centre in Barrow is calling for more funds to help elderly Chinese people in the town.

A report for Age Concern has found that older people from ethnic minorities in the Furness area are isolated because of communication problems.

Craig Milnes, writer of the study, set out to discover what facilities there were for elderly people from ethnic minorities, and to ask them what they would like to see.

"There was isolation, mainly amongst the older Chinese community," he said.

"Their family actually provide a lot of services for them because of the language barrier."

'Desperately needed'

The report says a translator is desperately needed for the Chinese community at the multicultural community centre.

The community centre on Cavendish Street began life as a Kosovar relief project in 1999.

It provides advice on issues such as benefits, housing and health, advocacy services, befriending services and a drop-in centre.

Irene Troughton from the centre explained that most of her interpreters were Albanians, due to the centre's origins.

She said she would like to do more, but is restricted by funds.

"We don't have the funding, unfortunately, and this is a desperate situation.

"We have in fact used Chinese interpreters on a voluntary basis, but we can't expect somebody to come in here and work full time on a voluntary basis."