A program designed to increase political involvement among underserved populations will begin in Oxford.

Scheduled for April 18, the gathering is being coordinated by the British Chinese Council and seeks to bridge local Chinese community members with elected officials.

The venue will be in Marston, where the BCC’s Oxford Pilot—a locally-developed, community-driven scheme—will be introduced.

Although targeting the Chinese population specifically, the framework is intended for broader application to enhance democratic access for underrepresented inhabitants in additional constituencies.

This program draws attention to an often-overlooked aspect of local governance: certain longtime residents continue to be marginalized because they lack experience navigating democratic systems.

The Oxford Pilot draws from earlier efforts in south London, which facilitated connections between first-generation immigrant entrepreneurs and their parliamentary representative alongside local bodies.

In Oxford, community organizer Fay Yiu, together with fellow residents, is directing the initiative.

The session runs from 2pm to 5pm, with Anneliese Dodds confirmed to attend and Layla Moran having received an invitation.

The approach spans multiple political parties, with invitations sent to councillors from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives, and the Green Party.

The casual environment will include Chinese cuisine and brief cultural presentations organized by local residents, employing food as a means to unite community members and elected representatives.

The gathering represents an initial practical step toward making interactions with councillors and MPs more transparent and approachable.