(Photo Source: Melbury Court Care Home)

During the 2026 Chinese New Year period, a delegation led by teachers Ms Juana Zhang and Ms Linghua Cai, volunteer Miss Yimeng Wei, and several other dedicated volunteers of Durham Chinese School – conducted a series of heartfelt cultural visits to local care homes in Durham.

Throughout the events, volunteers painted a moving picture of Chinese heritage through diverse artistic performances. Juana Zhang captivated the audience with a demonstration of Taiji, showcasing the art’s characteristic blend of strength and grace. Despite her modest concerns regarding the performance’s duration, her precise movements were met with enthusiastic acclaim. Following the demonstration, residents eagerly engaged with her to learn about the cultural philosophy and techniques behind Taiji. Staff members were so impressed that they extended an invitation for her to return for regular practice sessions with interested residents.

In a subsequent visit, the volunteers’ performances once again deeply touched the hearts of the residents. Volunteer Miss Wei displayed exceptional professionalism and dedication; despite a foot injury, she insisted on singing and dancing with vibrant energy to bring joy to the elderly. Her moving performance left a lasting impact, with some residents moved to tears by the beauty of the songs. Reflecting on the experience, Miss Wei shared that bringing happiness to the community and receiving such sincere feedback was a truly precious and unforgettable moment.

This series of community outreach initiatives represents more than just a cultural showcase; it is a living practice of the Chinese virtue “to honour others’ elders as we honour our own”. The Header Teacher of Durham Chinese School, Mr Haoyang Liu expressed deep gratitude for the volunteers’ selfless contributions. Through these visits, Durham Chinese School continues to share the essence of Chinese culture and the spirit of the Chinese community while building a bridge of mutual understanding and warmth between the people of China and the UK.

太极传情，歌舞动人：杜伦中文学校志愿者爱心慰问当地老人纪实

2026年新春期间，受杜伦中文学校校长委托，张娟老师和蔡凌华老师、志愿者魏颐萌及多位志愿者组成慰问团，连续多日深入英国杜伦（Durham）社区养老院，开展了一系列充满温情的中国传统文化慰问活动。

活动期间，志愿者们通过多元的艺术形式，为当地老人勾勒出一幅幅动人的中华文化画卷。张娟老师现场展示了刚柔并济的中国太极，其深厚的功底吸引了老人们的高度关注。虽然张老师谦虚地表示因时间把控原因表演略短，但精准的招式仍引发了热烈反响。表演结束后，老人们兴致盎然地围着张老师询问太极的文化内涵与动作要领，养老院工作人员更是积极邀请张老师日后能带感兴趣的老人们共同练习。

在另一场慰问活动中，志愿者们带来的歌舞表演再次触动了老人们的心弦。志愿者魏颐萌展现了极高的专业素养与敬业精神，她克服脚部伤痛，坚持以饱满的热情为老人们载歌载舞。在当天的表演中，优美的歌声极具感染力，现场甚至有老人因深受感动而落泪。魏颐萌感慨地表示，能够将快乐带给社区老人，并得到如此真挚的回馈，是一次极其珍贵且难忘的经历。

此次连续走进社区的公益行动，不仅是一次深层次的跨文化对话，更是对“老吾老以及人之老”中华传统美德的生动实践。刘校长对志愿者的无私奉献表示了由衷感谢。学校通过此类慰问活动，在传播中华文化、展示华人风采的同时，也为中英两国民间交流搭建起了一座传递理解与温暖的桥梁。