Facing a year of economic difficulty and tightened resources, in light of the government’s Productivity Enhancement Programme, the Welfare Council and other non-governmental organisations experienced pressing challenges of reduced funding and increased service demands. Amid these tough circumstances, our dedicated and passionate colleagues have remained steadfast in their roles. They continue to uphold a peoplecentred mindset and strive to meet the needs of society with limited resources. I am deeply grateful for their professionalism, mutual support and willingness to journey together through adversity.
To respond to these unprecedented challenges, the Welfare Council embarked on a planning exercise to identify and implement a series of cost-saving and income-generating initiatives this year. Our goal is to allocate available resources prudently whilst safeguarding service quality. Recognising the increasingly difficult financial environment, we are expanding income sources and controlling operating costs.
This is part of our duty to preserve overall operations and staff welfare over the coming years. Throughout this process, we have placed great emphasis on maintaining open communication with staff, aiming to reduce misunderstandings and addressing concerns. The trust that our staff place in the organisation is a critical strength, for it is this trust that empowers us to build a more resilient foundation together.
The Welfare Council firmly believes that collaboration among churches, schools and social services is a vital way to integrate faith, education and social care. Over the past year, our partnerships with the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Province, the dioceses, parishes, churches and schools have grown even closer, expanding to include youth development, campus support, caring initiatives and staff training. These collaborations have ensured that we can embed faith and compassion within both communities and schools. Through this shared mission, we are able to provide more holistic support for the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of parishioners, students and service users, reflecting the spirit of journeying together in care and love.
Despite many challenges, our colleagues have continued to demonstrate professionalism and selfless dedication. This year, the Welfare Council received a number of awards across various sectors, including elderly services, occupational safety, architectural design and provident scheme management. These awards are not only a recognition of our service quality but also a strong endorsement of our staff’s persistence in professionalism and courage to innovate.
Going forward, the Welfare Council will continue to follow in the footsteps of Christ. Rising above challenges and daring to venture, we will remain true to our original mission and pioneer new practical initiatives together with our colleagues. As we navigate the ever-changing environment, we will gratefully continue to support those in need in order to sustain a caring community.
Lastly, on behalf of the Welfare Council, may I express our heartfelt thanks to the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Province, all the dioceses, parishes, missionary districts, the Welfare Council’s Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Sub-Committees for their guidance and trust during these challenging times.
