District Highlights
1) CENTRAL WESTERN, SOUTHERN AND ISLANDS DISTRICT
2) EASTERN AND WAN CHAI DISTRICT
4) WONG TAI SIN AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT
5) KOWLOON CITY AND YAU TSIM MONG DISTRICT
CENTRAL WESTERN, SOUTHERN AND ISLANDS DISTRICT
District Service Parades
16.1
Central Western, Southern and Islands District covers a vast region with different composition of the population, economy and social condition. The demand and service needs vary in different districts. To meet the expectations of the residents from all walks of life, the collaboration among SWD services units, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and local organisations is very important. The Central Western, Southern and Islands District Social Welfare Office (CW/S/IDSWO) therefore lined up 44 NGOs, local organisations, schools and business organisations to jointly organise “Service Parades” in Tung Chung, Southern District and Central Western District in December 2011, January and February 2012 respectively. The programme aimed at enhancing the collaboration among local stakeholders and promoting social services in the communities so that the residents could obtain updated information of the community resources.
2012 Central Western, Southern and Islands District Youth Forum
16.2
With the support of Caritas Central Western, Southern and Islands District Youth and Community Service units, CW/S/IDSWO organised a Youth Forum on 3 November 2012. The programme aimed at providing a platform for the youth to enhance their critical thinking and observation. Through facilitating their systematic, rational and analytical thinking, the young people could have a deeper understanding about government policy, social issues and community affairs and were encouraged to share their views. The guest speakers included the Chairman of the Youth Commission, a Legislative Council Member and secondary school principals. The total number of participants was 186.
District Collaboration Projects
16.3
To promote the services and enhance the collaboration among SWD and the NGOs, the CW/S/IDSWO continued to fund the District Collaboration Projects. There were 41 projects in 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively. The objectives of the projects include promoting volunteer service, advocating community care, enhancing resilience, developing harmonious families, concerning development of the youth, promoting care for the elderly, caring for the ex-mentally-ill persons in the community, strengthening the community/neighbourhood networking and enhancing social cohesiveness. To recognise their remarkable collaboration work, there were four awards for outstanding district projects, six awards for best strategic projects and one award for most creative project in each year. A vetting committee was formed to vet the applications, approve the funding and appraise the awards. The prize-giving ceremony for 2010-11 was held on 4 July 2012.
EASTERN AND WAN CHAI DISTRICT
Orange Ribbon Movement
16.4
In 2011-13, Eastern and Wan Chai District Social Welfare Office (E/WDSWO) continued the Orange Ribbon Movement to promote the messages of harmonious family, neighbourhood support and community integration. A series of activities including seminars, symposiums, training workshops and service briefing were launched to promote cross-service collaborations to meet the welfare needs of the local families. Moreover, the service units were sponsored to organise over 60 district-based programmes and activities for “Love Family” and “Care Elderly”. E/WDSWO also organised promotional events of “Orange Ribbon Movement - We are Friends • We are One Family” in 2012-13. With the assistance of volunteers, there were activities organised in the public housing estates and shopping malls to promote to the public the messages of harmonious family and encourage the needy people to seek help. Besides, a seminar of “Orange Ribbon Movement - Pass the Flame • Building a Caring Community” was held in March 2013. It provided the participants with a platform to share their achievements and exchange their experiences in volunteer services.
District Concern for the Frail Elders
16.5
To promote district concern for the frail elders, the Eastern and Wan Chai District Coordinating Committee on Elderly Services, together with various district elderly services units and stakeholders, such as the Lions Club of Harbour View, the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited and the Hong Kong East Cluster, Hospital Authority had jointly launched the Project on “Neighbourhood Volunteers’ Concern for the Frail Elders” in the past two years. The programmes included “Giving Warmth to Frail elders with Soup Delivery 2012-13” and talks on “Understanding Common Health Problems among Elders under Cold Weather” for volunteers etc. As the highlight of the Project, the “Award Presentation Ceremony for the Neighbourhood Volunteers”, which aimed at recognising the contribution of neighbourhood volunteers and enhancing the public’s concern towards the underprivileged elderly in the district, attracted more than 380 participants including volunteers, elders and their carers from various elderly service units in the district. The Project successfully established and strengthened the neighbourhood support networks for the frail elders and helped them remain living in the community.
Promoting Positive Psychology in the Community
16.6
Over the past two years, E/WDSWO endeavoured to promote positive psychology in the district through cross-sector and cross-service collaboration with 10 NGOs and the Eastern District Council. A series of community service promotion activities had been launched including educational talks, mass programmes such as “Healthy and Happy Family Cruise”, “Family Fun Day”, “Positive Life Positive Energy” Powerpoint Competition and professional training workshops. E/WDSWO also published 10 000 booklets on “Seven Habits Leading to Happiness” to widely promote the culture of social inclusion and positive spirit in the community. The events had won very positive feedback from over 1 000 participants and enhanced district-based collaboration among different service units.
KWUN TONG DISTRICT
Strengthening Community Support for the Needy
16.7
With the increasing ageing population living in the community and the need of forming support network for the residents in the new developed estates in Kwun Tong, the Kwun Tong District Social Welfare Office (KTDSWO) linked up an NGO to run a "Neighbourhood Support Project for Elders" in Choi Fook, Choi Tak and Choi Ying Estate in the year 2011-12. The project aimed at strengthening community support network for the elders and developing the residents' sense of belonging in the new estates. Nine different organisations in the district joined the project with over 140 volunteers recruited to serve nearly 2 000 residents. Through community resources introduction, neighbourhood support groups, volunteer training, community fun day, dialect interpretation service and shopping assistance, the elders living in the new estates were helped to build up a neighbourhood support network and familiarise with available community resources. A sharing platform was also developed for the residents and local stakeholders to promote care and concern to the elders.
16.8
In response to the ageing of persons with disabilities and their carers, KTDSWO had sponsored two NGO rehabilitation service units to organise two community support and networking projects in 2012. The projects aimed at extending the social support network of persons with disabilities and their carers. Home environment improvement works, volunteer visits, community promotion campaign and recreational activities, etc. were carried out. The home environment improvement programme had assisted 25 families in improving their household facilities, repairing electrical appliances and cleansing services.
16.9
To strengthen the support for families in Kwun Tong in view of its district need, an additional Integrated Family Service Centre (IFSC) was set up in Kwun Tong in 2012-13. Upon the redevelopment of public housing estates in Kwun Tong, KTDSWO collaborated with different community partners in the district to provide familiarisation programmes and supportive services to the needy persons and families, including the Community Networking Project on Redevelopment of Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate implemented in 2012-13.
Boosting Mental Wellness, Promoting Community Integration
16.10
KTDSWO linked up two NGOs to launch two comprehensive projects for promoting mental wellness and social integration in Kwun Tong in 2012-13. One of the projects aimed at promoting public awareness and understanding of mental health problems and strengthening support for persons with mental health problems and their families. Community integration was promoted through public education programmes and training workshops. The other project targeted the youth, especially secondary school students with emotional problems. Through art therapy and life-affirming pleasure of making art, it aimed to help the young persons enhance their self-awareness, resolve conflicts and problems and improve their cognitive abilities.
16.11
To facilitate effective cross-service collaboration in tackling mental health issues in the community, the Kwun Tong District Task Group on Community Mental Health Support Services organised two case sharing and training workshops for staff of different government departments and NGOs in the district in 2011-12 and 2012-13. The workshops aimed at enhancing participants' knowledge on mental health problems and practical skills of handling persons with emotional distress. Cross-service collaboration and multi-disciplinary approach in handling cases involving suspected mentally ill persons in the community were also shared in the workshops.
Enhancing Young People’s Awareness on Self-protection
16.12
With an aim to enhance the adolescents’ awareness on self-protection and healthy conception on “love” and “sex”, the Kwun Tong Local Committee on Services for Young People, the Kwun Tong District Coordinating Committee on Family and Child Welfare Services and the Kwun Tong District Coordinating Committee on Promotion of Volunteer Service joining 23 welfare service units and the Police Community Relations Office, launched a series of programmes in 2012-13 in Kwun Tong. Parents were also encouraged to provide sex education to their children.
16.13
To explore the adolescents’ conception on sexual harassment and their coping methods, the Kwun Tong District Outreach Service Committee conducted a study among secondary school students in the district. Educational programmes and groups were planned and organised for the youth in the district to tackle the issue.
WONG TAI SIN AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT
Establishing Community Networks for Strengthening Family Functioning
16.14
The Wong Tai Sin and Sai Kung District Social Welfare Office (WTS/SKDSWO) organised a number of programmes under collaborative efforts of different social service agencies as well as business and local organisations in the District to strengthen the role of the family, and to promote the ideals of harmonious family and caring community. By establishing and strengthening neighbourhood network through district-wide collaboration platform, the WTS/SKDSWO identified people-in-need, and provided care and support to them. Both activities of “Family and Community Inclusion Project” in Wong Tai Sin district and community project of “Peace Begins at Home” in Sai Kung district had further refined their training courses to upgrade the skills and service qualities of volunteers in service delivery. Besides, other neighbourhood-level projects such as “Caring for Tung Tau” community project, “Love, Act, Treasuring Life, Harmonious Community” service project, “Wong Tai Sin Cherishing Life - Prevention of Suicide” community project, and “Neighbourhood Active Ageing” projects also gathered community resources to promote the spirit of helping others and to provide training activities to different “ambassadors”.
Encouraging Cross-service Collaboration for Enhancing Youth Employment Opportunities
16.15
To further respond to the district’s needs, WTS/SKDSWO supported cross-service collaboration. Starting from 2012, the WTS/SKDSWO coordinated with 10 youth, eight elderly and two rehabilitation services units to launch the project of Youth Integration Experiential Project. The project aimed at enhancing young people’s understanding and interest in the helping profession; strengthening their motivation to join the caring profession; and addressing youth unemployment and shortage of manpower in elderly and rehabilitation services units in the long run. Given the very positive feedback from the welfare sector, youth and elderly service recipients, the WTS/SKDSWO plans to continue the project in 2013-14 with a more comprehensive programme content.
Pooling Community Resources for Helping the Deprived
16.16
The WTS/SKDSWO had been active in linking up and establishing network with the local organisations and business sector. Through mobilising the support from the third sector either in the form of volunteer services or resources contribution, the message of care and concern to the deprived was conveyed and spread. In addition to “Sik Sik Yuen Emergency Assistance to Vulnerable Families” which rendered short-term financial assistance to the residents in WTS/SK in face of unforeseeable and emergent hardship in 2012-13, the WTS/SKDSWO linked up with the Hong Kong Industrial and Commercial Association Limited and tapped their extensive network and resources in the field of Chinese herbalist to co-organise a series of programmes, namely “Caring from Business Sector – Health Talk for the Parents and Carers of the Persons with Disabilities” and “Caring from Business Sector – Promoting Mental Wellness in Tsui Lam”. The WTS/SKDSWO will continue promoting synergy with local organisations and business sector to join hands for building up a caring community.
KOWLOON CITY AND YAU TSIM MONG DISTRICT
Consolidating Caring Culture in the District
16.17
In 2011-13, Kowloon City and Yau Tsim Mong District Social Welfare Office (KC/YTMDSWO) continued to actively promote caring culture at different fronts: encouraging the welfare services units to organise a diversity of programmes echoing the themes of “Caring Community and Social Harmony” to promote the core values of love and mutual help; coordinating the business sector and social service units for the production of “Community TV” and promotion of projects for the under-privileged and caring culture by making use of the public transport vehicles; sustaining the participation of students of tertiary institution and secondary schools in the “Oral History” Projects to promote community participation amongst the youths and cultivate their care towards the community. In addition, KC/YTMDSWO coordinated the collaboration among the Probation and Community Service Orders Office and local organisations in providing hair-dressing and volunteer service training to the young probationers and organising them to serve the underprivileged groups, with a view to strengthening the caring culture in the district.
Promoting Collaboration between the Welfare Sector and Medical Sector
16.18
In the past two years, KC/YTMDSWO continued to strengthen community care in the district by promoting collaboration among the medical sector and related stakeholders to experiment a self-financing home care project in Homantin. Through visiting the frail elders or those living alone, the home care and support to vulnerable elders were strengthened, which also facilitated early identification of their service needs. Besides, KC/YTMDSWO coordinated an NGO, a private hospital and church network to launch the “Holistic Home Care Service” pilot project to provide comprehensive and one-stop home care and support services to elders discharged from the private hospital. In addition, KC/YTMDSWO lined up the NGOs, medical and commercial sectors to jointly organise seminars in enhancing the support for parents and carers of the children with autism spectrum disorders who had waitlisted for pre-school rehabilitation services.
Expanding Social Capital
16.19
In 2011-13, KC/YTMDSWO actively developed and expanded social capital in the district. Apart from co-ordinating the related stakeholders, enhancing the neighbourhood support and care network for elders and promoting harmony across generations, KC/YTMDSWO also coordinated the collaboration between the welfare sector and tertiary institution in organising the students to join the volunteers’ team by rendering volunteer services with their knowledge and skills so as to benefit the disadvantaged groups. At the same time, KC/YTMDSWO actively encouraged the social service units to develop the potentials of the underprivileged, arrange them to serve the community and other vulnerable groups so as to build up social capital and actualise the spirit of volunteerism.
SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT
Sham Shui Po Well-Being Movement
16.20
Building on the success of the Sham Shui Po Well-Being Movement co-ordinated by the Sham Shui Po District Social Welfare Office (SSPDSWO) since 2009, the Organising Committee jointly ventured with the School of Public Health of The University of Hong Kong and FAMILY: A Jockey Club Initiative for a Harmonious Society in organising the Enhancing Family Well-Being Project (the Project) in the past two years with the funding support of $2.46 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. An evidence-based approach was adopted to promote “Family HEALTH, HAPPINESS and HARMONY” through strengthening character strengths on gratitude, hope, resilience and open-mindedness with the support from Sham Shui Po District Council and over 40 welfare and local organisations. Apart from organising capacity building programmes serving over 300 professionals, six public lectures with 1,600 participants were held. Further penetration of the thematic messages was made through promotion booths and active partnering among welfare organisations and local schools as well as distribution of 7 000 booklets to the students and organisation of school competition for education purpose. At the ceremony cum carnival of the Project on 12 February 2012, which was attended by
2 400 stakeholders and the public, application of family love language was highlighted by the mass shaping of “HEART” in the presence of officiating guests and two famous DJs. The Project was wrapped up by a series of RoadShow promotion and the organisation of the “Practice Wisdom Sharing” for over 200 professionals and a “Harbor Cruise for Promotion of Well-Being” for over 300 service users as well as the production of 2 000 practice wisdom manuals and 10 000 booklets on promoting positive families for the public territory-wide.
Development of Social Capital through two Collaborative Projects in Private Tenement Areas
16.21
In view of the substantial number of under-privileged groups such as new arrivals, low-income families, unemployed people and hidden elderly living in the small sub-divided and partitioned units in the district, who were mostly lack of social support and knowledge of community resources, SSPDSWO launched two projects in Cheung Sha Wan area and Nam Cheong area (namely「知深鄰里」及「關深南昌」社區協作計劃) since 2009 with the joint venture of 15 welfare organisations. The two projects adopted an outreaching approach to provide services to the deprived families in the hope to develop their sense of neighborhood and social capital. For the past two years, over 8 000 families were visited and over 300 needy families were referred for welfare services. Apart from distributing community resource package, active liaison was made with local shops to mobilise their support for needy families and 60 caring shops had been networked. These two projects, undoubtedly, served to facilitate cross-sector collaboration and building of a harmonious community.
School-based After-School Care and Support Programme
16.22
SSPDSWO, in collaboration with Sham Shui Po District Council and local charity organisations, continued to provide two school-based after-school care and support programmes during the period. The one named “Happy Garden” was implemented together with Sham Shui Po District Council, Martha Boss Lutheran Community Centre of Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service Lutheran Church Hong Kong Synod and Kowloon Technical School, whereas “TeenS Group” was launched with the support of St. James’ Settlement and Faith Lutheran School. Considering the great service demand, SSPDSWO in collaboration with the Hong Kong Young Men Christian Association Cheung Sha Wan Centre launched the third progamme, namely “Multiple Development Programme” in 2011. These programmes provided after-school care and support service for 90 primary pupils from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday and during long school holidays. The programmes not only met the care needs of school-age children from low income families with working parents but also responded to the children’s needs in academic and personal growth.
SHA TIN DISTRICT
Cross-service Collaboration in Promoting “Family Harmony”
16.23
In 2011-12, the Sha Tin District Coordinating Committee on Family and Child Welfare Service (STDCCFCW) of Sha Tin District Social Welfare Office (STDSWO) organised a series of activities, namely “Pathways to Successful Marriage”, which promoted to families, frontline social workers and concerned professionals the importance of “good communication, shared beliefs and consensus” in positive parenting. The activities included production of resource kits for groupwork service, distribution of promotion materials as well as organisation of workshops and talks. In 2012-13, STDCCFCW organised another series of activities, namely “Parenting I-Generation Kids”. The activities included production and distribution of game package to parents of kindergarten children to encourage parents to have more fun and quality time with their children, and a seminar for frontline social workers and other professionals to enhance their understanding of young people’s sex attitude and internet culture, as well as the associated risks posed to the latter. In 2011-12 and 2012-13, the Family and Child Protective Services Unit (Shatin) organised two seminars, namely “Understanding and Management of Child Neglect” and “Handling Intra-Familial Child Sexual Abuse” respectively, for kindergarten teachers, primary and secondary school teachers, social workers of NGOs and the police to enhance their capacity of handling cases involving domestic violence and child abuse.
Strengthening the Culture of a Caring Community and Service Promotion in New Public Housing Estate
16.24
In 2011-12 and 2012-13, STDSWO, in collaboration with welfare units and community groups, engaged 54 private housing estates/public housing estates/villages in the district to join the “Caring Estates Scheme” to promote mutual help in the neighbourhood and a caring community. About 3 000 participants took part in different community activities under the scheme. Also, in these two years, STDCCFCW launched the “Green Ribbon - Caring Family Ambassador Scheme”. “Green Ribbon Family Ambassador Teams” were set up to visit families in need, and publicise the messages of mutual help and “Happy Family” so as to make early identification of families at risk and render timely support to them, and promote the development of neighbourhood support network. More than 300 Family Ambassadors were recruited to visit over 600 families in a year. Besides, STDSWO continued to strengthen support for residents of new housing estates through promoting cross-sector and cross-service collaboration. From October 2011 to January 2013, SWD’s IFSC collaborated with integrated children and youth services centres to promote different welfare services to the residents of Yan On Estate, thus facilitating their integration in the community, and encouraging them to seek help early when in need of welfare assistance.
District Promotion of Social Integration of Persons with Disabilities
16.25
The Sha Tin District Coordinating Committee on Rehabilitation Services, together with various rehabilitation service units, local community groups and the business companies, organised a variety show in July 2011 and again in January 2013 to promote the social integration of persons with disabilities, and the development of their capacities. The shows enhanced the community’s understanding and acceptance of persons with disabilities. There were about 300 disabled and able-bodies performers at the variety shows in the two years. The disabled were empowered to use their talents and abilities throughout the preparation, practice and performance. After the shows, participating NGOs and partner organisations continued to get together on a common platform to promote and sustain the development of social integration.
TAI PO AND NORTH DISTRICT
Community-based Response to Suicide Clusters in North District
16.26
With the support of the Department and funding of Lotteries Fund, the Hong Kong Jockey Club - Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention (CSRP) of the University of Hong Kong launched a three-year pilot project, entitled “Community-based Response to Suicide Clusters in North District”, in July 2011. The Project aims at mobilising existing resources in the community to increase the social capital therein, strengthen professional support network for individuals with suicidal risk, and assess the efficacy of the existing community-based preventive measures. The Project adopts the Public Health Approach with three levels of strategy used: (1) Universal – promoting mental well-being at the community level through parent talks, school talks, mental health exhibitions and promotional booths, etc.; (2) Selective – providing training on assessment and intervention skills for gatekeepers of at-risk youths; and (3) Indicative – strengthening the continuity of care for young patients with deliberate self-harm behaviours. A multi-disciplinary Working Group co-chaired by CSRP and Tai Po/North District Social Welfare Office (TP/NDSWO) with the participation of strategic partners in the District, including other government departments and NGOs, has been formed to provide professional advice and support to the project implementation.
Community Inclusion Project – “A Community for All, A Caring Place for All”
16.27
Tai Po/North District Coordinating Committee on Promotion of Volunteer Service under the TP/NDSWO commenced a two-year project, namely the “Community Inclusion Project - A Community For All, A Caring Place for All” (the Project), in 2012. The Project aims to enable individuals and organisations from various sectors to join hands to foster a culture of inclusion and care, mutual understanding and help, and to build an inclusive community, between the urban and the rural, the young and the senior, the able-bodied and the disabled, and among different groups in the community (including the old and new residents and those with different backgrounds). Components of the project included a year–round community inclusion charter movement, service projects promoting community inclusion, visits to various groups in the community to spread out the message of inclusion. Up till March 2013, over 160 individuals or organisations had signed up in support of the charter and 1 400 individual/groups in the community were reached through various structured community inclusion activities.
Community Support Network Programme for Elders during Adverse Weather – Care Programme during Hot Summer
16.28
The “Community Support Network Programme for Elders during Adverse Weather” is a care programme implemented by Tai Po/North District Coordinating Committee on Elderly Service under the TP/NDSWO since 1999. The programme is a collaborative effort of the welfare and health sectors through teaming up medical and health professionals and other volunteers in the community, to identify the elders at risk who have poor health and living environment and visit them in the cold winter. In view of the growing heat and the elder’s vulnerability to health problems during summer time, the TP/NDSWO extended the care programme to pay concern visits in summer as well to frail elders living in outlying isolated islands. Apart from risk assessment, the volunteers also share with them knowledge on various common elderly concerns such as joint pain, drug management and heatstroke prevention.
YUEN LONG DISTRICT
Strengthening of Integration between able-bodied and the disabled persons
16.29
In 2011-13, Yuen Long District Social Welfare Office (YLDSWO) coordinated and organised a series of projects and activities to promote community integration between the able-bodied and disabled persons and to arouse public concern on mental wellness at district level through cross-sector collaboration. The two joint projects, funded by Yuen Long District Council and co-organised with 20 NGO rehabilitation service units under the Community Education Working Group of Yuen Long District Coordinating Committee on Rehabilitation Services, held in 2011-12 and 2012-13 with over 500 participants in each year had deepened the understanding between the able-bodied and disabled persons and achieved the aim of integration. Further development of the “Farm with You” project in 2011-13 and launching of the project “朗天商户顯關懷” in 2012-13 demonstrated the effectiveness of cross-sector collaboration in enhancing public awareness on the ability of the disabled and providing pre-employment training and employment opportunities to them. The step-up of multi-disciplinary cooperation in raising public concern on mental wellness and strengthening handling of cases was embodied in various training and sharing sessions held for frontline staff, social workers and supervisors. All these provided valuable platforms for multi-disciplinary cooperation and development of new collaboration initiatives.
Fostering Youth Participation in Community
16.30
Developing youth potential and community participation is a crucial service strategy in Yuen Long with nearly a quarter of its population aged between five and 24. The YLDSWO collaborated with the Yuen Long District Council, government departments, NGOs and local stakeholders in conducting various district-based projects, including the “Yuen Long Youth Festival”, which provided a platform in promoting youth participation in the community. Besides, the “Yuen Long Student Ambassador Scheme” demonstrated the results of collaboration between all 39 secondary schools in Yuen Long, local youth NGOs and charitable organisations in giving mentorship support to secondary students on designing and implementing community service projects. To further enhance youth volunteerism, the YLDSWO injected resources on providing training for youth outstanding volunteers in Yuen Long. Through district collaboration, two sports centers under Leisure and Cultural Services Department in Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai extended opening hours in midnights for young night drifters to participate in healthy programmes under the supervision of social workers. New self-financing youth service units which launched innovative service models, also provided more opportunities for youth to participate in healthy activities and realise their potentials.
Enhancement of the Provision of Integrated Family Service
16.31
Taking into consideration the population profile of Yuen Long District and its projected population growth, and also the average number of new/reactivated cases served by the frontline social workers of IFSCs in the recent years, Yuen Long District is assessed to have greater service demand to strengthen services for families in need. An additional IFSC in Yuen Long, namely Long Love IFSC operated by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, commenced services on 28 January 2013 to provide services for families in the western part of Yuen Long District.
TSUEN WAN AND KWAI TSING DISTRICT
“Starry Night” and “Moonlight” Projects
16.32
To address the problems of delinquent youth and young night drifters in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing Districts, the Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing District Social Welfare Office (TW/KwTDSWO), in collaboration with District Fight Crime Committees of Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing, District Offices of Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing, Police Districts of Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Counselling Centre for Psychotropic Substance Abusers and the District Youth Outreaching Social Work Teams, organised the “Starry Night” and “Moonlight” projects which sought to render care and concern to young night drifters, and to provide them with recreational and sports activities in the night time so as to help them stay away from undesirable activities, and to develop healthy interests and build up life goal. Over the past two years, the two Projects provided a total of 28 midnight recreational and sports activities, such as ball games, music band and dancing. In addition, the projects also organised 28 interest classes including dancing, music band, Kung Fu and Thai boxing, as well as two outward bound activities to help them develop interest, life goal and potential. Total participation of the two projects amounted to 3 000 person counts.
Combating Elder Abuse
16.33
The elderly population in Kwai Tsing district is increasing while the concern on elder abuse is also on the rise. In view of such, TW/KwTDSWO worked closely with the Hong Kong Christian Service (HKCS) and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to launch a project namely “CADENZA Community Project : Elder at PEACE” with Kwai Tsing as a pilot service point. This three-year project, which was funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, commenced service in December 2010. It aimed at providing convenient help-seeking and reporting channels of suspected elder abuse incidents, as well as prompt and supportive service to the elderly victims and the related parties, whereas the “Elder-centred Empowerment and Mediation Intervention Strategy” enabled restoration of relationships with mutual-respect as well as stopping of abusive behaviors among the concerned parties so as to cultivate mutual respect and concerns in the district. As at March 2013, the Project had served 450 enquiries, rendered casework services to half of them, and organised 130 supportive programmes. In addition, to strengthen the work on prevention of elder abuse and promote mental health of carers of the elderly, the Tsuen Wan/Kwai Tsing District Coordinating Committee on Elderly Services and the NGOs in the district jointly organised a project namely “Understanding Carers for Elderly” in 2012-13. Activities held included a series of publicity work, road shows and a therapeutic day camp for the carers with an aim to promote the message of prevention of elder abuse, to cultivate a caring atmosphere in the community and to release the pressure of carers.
“Caring Community” Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing District Award Presentation Ceremony
16.34
Under the joint efforts of the TW/KwTDSWO, the District Offices of Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing and NGOs, a “Caring Community” Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing District Award Presentation Ceremony was held on 19 February 2012 at the Tsuen Wan Town Hall to show appreciation to those carers and volunteers who had enthusiastically served people in need in the past year while also recognising their generosity and contributions. Through this, it will encourage and motivate people to actively serve the needy and participate in building a “Caring Community” together. Over 1 000 people joined the meaningful event, and the awardees included 52 outstanding carers, 10 police volunteers, 220 outstanding volunteers, 100 Family Support Programme Ambassadors and 140 members of the Caring Organisations for The Elderly. Besides award presentation ceremony, other activities included experience sharing by outstanding volunteers and representatives of the Caring Organisations, variety shows, photo booths, as well as exhibition and a quiz on Volunteer Movement.
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
To Promote Extensive and Sustainable Volunteer Service
16.35
Tuen Mun District Co-ordinating Committee on Promotion of Volunteer Service (TMDCCPVS) makes unfailing efforts to promote volunteerism in the district. TMDCCPVS has shifted the focus from promoting residents’ participation in volunteering to implement volunteer service on a long-term basis. In 2011, the pop singers “Sugar Club” created a theme song for volunteer movement and a music video was produced for distribution and displayed at wall TV screen at Tuen Mun Government Offices Building. Besides, TMDCCPVS launched Volunteer Service Projects Scheme in 2012 with subsidies given to the local organisations to implement service projects in the community. With strong support from local organisations, a total of 29 service projects were organised involving 725 volunteers and 5 225 beneficiaries. In the award presentation ceremony, volunteers of the outstanding projects actively shared their experience and expressed their perception of core values of volunteering with paintings.
16.36
The theme of the Tuen Mun District Volunteer Award Scheme for the year 2012-13 was “Training”, “Intensity” and “Succession”. Selected outstanding volunteers were arranged to join training and experience sharing programme on volunteer service with Mr. Dick LEE, the former Commissioner of Police, Mr. Matthew LUI, an Outstanding Youth of Hong Kong and Miss Carol NG, a volunteer from Cathay Pacific.
16.37
In April 2012, 15 outstanding volunteers of the Tuen Mun District Volunteer Award Scheme for the year 2011-12 headed to Zhaoqing for an exchange programme. The volunteers also visited The Hong Kong Jockey Club Helping Hand Zhaoqing Home for the Elderly and served the residents by arranging hair-cutting and variety show for them. The programme had widened the exposure of the volunteers and their knowledge on elderly service in the Mainland.
Showcase of Positive Youth
16.38
To encourage young people’s self expression in different ways towards positive life values, Tuen Mun Local Committee on Services for Young People organised a “Play and Art Fair” (「玩藝廊」青年藝墟) in the recent two years. On three Saturdays from late winter to early spring, young people were organised to show their talents and crafts at Tuen Mun Yan Oi Square. The activities turned out to be an attraction to the local people.
Promoting Community Integration
16.39
To promote community inclusion, the Tuen Mun District Coordinating Committee on Rehabilitation Services organised the “Mini Marathon 2012” in Tuen Mun Town Park on 4 November 2012. 400 participants, including the mentally handicapped, ex-mentally ill, physically disadvantaged and able-bodied, took part in the Marathon. Furthermore, 31 rehabilitation services units co-organised a joint open day on 7 and 8 December 2012 for more than 3 500 visitors. The series of activities enhanced the public’s understanding on rehabilitation services and promoted the spirit of social inclusion and harmony among the disabled and the able persons in the community.
