Chinese Information Service

Chinese Information Service in Bray Citizens Information Centre‏

With the recent visit of the Chinese vice president Xi Jinping Bray Citizens Information Centre (CIC) would like to highlight their free and confidential Information Service for the Chinese community in County Wicklow.

The Information service, which is translated into Chinese, has been in place since March 2004. There are approximately 500 Chinese people living and working in the county and a substantial number of Chinese people from all over the county and beyond were attending Bray CIC seeking information. However, due to language barriers it was often difficult to help.

“We decided that a specialist service was needed where a Chinese speaker would be on hand to interpret and assist the team of Information-givers in the Centre” said Martina Cronin, Development Manager of Co Wicklow Citizens Information Service. Summy Wong, who is a trained volunteer information-giver, volunteered for the position. She is originally from Hong Kong but has lived in Bray for the past 32 years.

The Citizens Information Service for the Chinese community not only provides information about rights and entitlements but also advocates on behalf of the client. The nature of queries is quite varied – anything from working conditions, housing, disability to medical problems.

One Chinese client, who was experiencing difficulties with his employer, was very satisfied with the help he received from Bray Citizens Information Centre and said “I am delighted with the help I got from the Bray Citizens Information. I live in Bray and it is great to have a Chinese native speaker who can help based in the town. The service is marvellous and free!”

The service is available on an appointment basis. Bray Citizens Information Centre is based in 3/4 Boulevard, Quinsboro Road, Bray.

Bray Citizens Information Centre provides a free and confidential information service on a people’s civil and social rights and entitlements on topics such as Social Welfare, Employment, Health, Consumer Issues and more. Our hours of opening are Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.30pm and Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Telephone 0761 07 6780. E-mail: bray@citinfo.ie . We also have centres in Arklow, Wicklow Town, Baltinglass, Blessington, Glendalough and support the information service in Carnew.