Happy Lunar New Year, the Year of the Fire Horse

by | 18th February 2026 | Community Impact

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The image is a Lunar New Year greeting card for 2026, featuring a gold horse silhouette, fireworks, and Chinese lanterns on a dark orange background. Text reads “HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR 2026” and

祝大家農曆新年快樂,火馬年萬事如意!

Bristol Charities would like to wish our colleagues, partners and members of the Chinese community a Happy Lunar New Year as festivities begin on the 17th February and culminate on 3rd March with the Lantern Festival. 2026 sees the start of the year of the Fire Horse, an auspicious symbol of energy and bravery racing along the way to success.

Locally, Bristol Charities at The Vassall Centre is proud to work with the Chinese Community Wellbeing Society, one of almost 30 charities based onsite. CCWS started in Bristol 35 years ago and now works with people across the southwest, delivering a wide range of innovative projects, including a health inequality project for Inner City and East Bristol, funded by NHS BNSSG ICB and core services, such as a helpline.

The quality and impact of CCWS’s work has been recognised nationally many times, including by a Health Service Journal (HSJ) award as one of the collaborative partners of the BNSSG Covid-19 Vaccination Programme. Bristol Charities is honoured to work with an organisation that works to such high standards, reaching out to its community and addressing barriers to health and fortune.

CCWS value working from the Vassall Centre for its facilities, including conference spaces, easy parking and access to bus routes, and they welcome members of the Chinese community into our public spaces for group and festival events.

Looking ahead, Bristol Charities is keen to amplify its use of the Vassall Centre to bring together the charities onsite for the benefit of the local community. Maybe we can harness the spirit of the Fire Horse to propel us along the road to success!

Happy Lunar New Year 2026
Author: Jo Stokes

Author: Jo Stokes

Jo has worked in the local voluntary sector for the past 20 years, with a focus on advocacy, community development, and volunteering. She has experience working directly with people, as well as leading strategic change in her roles as the CEO of a small charity and as a trustee. Jo’s background is rooted in her Social Work MA/DipSW.

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