The Lambeth Elderly Association from Vietnam (LEAV) is a small organisation supporting over 300 older Vietnamese and Chinese-Vietnamese residents of Lambeth and surrounding boroughs. LEAV was founded in 1986 to provide support to the recently arrived refugees from Vietnam, better known internationally as the “boat people”.

The aim of the centre is to work to enhance the quality of life of older local Vietnamese and Chinese-Vietnamese  former refugees by offering them opportunities to reduce their isolation, improve their wellbeing and physical health develop their confidence  and  skills and access advice and language interpretation.

To this end, the centre offers many services to its users including cultural events, such as Lion Dancing, social and health-oriented events, including Tai Chi, yoga, dancing and acupuncture sessions, and regular Vietnamese and Cantonese-language advice and information sessions on welfare, finance and health.