In the afternoon of 8th December, 2017, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council hosted its Annual Meeting 2016-2017 at the H.K.S.K.H. St James’ Church. Dr Law Chi-kwong, GBS, JP, Secretary for Labour and Welfare was invited to be the officiating guest of the ceremony, which was also attended by the Most Revd Dr Paul Kwong, Honorary Patron of the Welfare Council, the Rt Revd Andrew Chan, Bishop of the H.K.S.K.H. Diocese of Western Kowloon, the Revd Dr Timothy Kwok, Bishop of the H.K.S.K.H. Diocese of Eastern Kowloon, members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee; and about 1,000 employees. The Welfare Council reviewed its achievement over the past year
Opening Remarks by Dr Donald Li
In his opening remarks, Dr Donald Li, SBS, OStJ, JP, Chairman of the Welfare Council Board of Directors, praised staff’s for providing all-round support services to individuals of different ages and backgrounds in line with its service philosophy, “Transform Life. Live in Abundance”, which tendered to the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of the underprivileged groups. He also applauded staff for their innovation and dedication in constructing social resources.
Dr Li thanked the staff and guests for their involvement in the Welfare Council’s 50th anniversary celebrations as well as their support and blessings. He mentioned that the Welfare Council has been preparing its 5-year strategic plan. Under the guidance of the Executive Committee, the Welfare Council has invited about 3,000 employees to share their opinions on the strategic plan, which aims at improving staff’s sense of belonging to the Welfare Council.
Dr Jane Lee, Director of the Welfare Council, Addressing on the Work of the Welfare Council
At the annual meeting, Dr Jane Lee, Director of the Welfare Council, and Mr Lo Kin-ming, Honorary Treasurer of the Welfare Council and Chairman of the Audit Sub-committee, briefed attendees on the work and finances of the Welfare Council over the past year.
Dr Jane Lee highlighted the latest developments of different services. She noted that the Welfare Council
- has been actively introducing new technologies to its service operation. In June 2017, it participated in the Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit to share its experiences in using autonomous humanoid robots and technology;
- has been promoting the concept of participatory design. It has invited service users and amateur designers to take part in projects such as Morse Park, Duckling Hill and Together We Build: Community Engagement in Public Space Transformation@SummerFest Lifestyle held at the Central Harbourfront Event Space in August 2017. The concept of participatory design will also be applied in its six-year project, Kowloon City in Transformation: Kowloon City Themed Walking Trail;
- has been providing services to children with special educational needs since 1980s. In recent years, the Welfare Council has formed a multi-disciplinary team that organised on-site pre-school rehabilitation services. In addition, the Welfare Council received funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Clun Charities Trust, which would be used to fund the renovation and operation of a three-year project, “WE LOVE— Jockey Club Centre for Family Enhancement”. The project would provide services to children with special educational needs and their parents. Also, a non-profit organisation, Smile With Us HK donated HK$2 million to the Welfare Council’s Smile Fund.
Dr Lee expressed her gratitude to the employees of the Macau Social Services Coordination Office for their disaster relief work during Typhoon Hato. She mentioned that the Chief Executive of Macau would present a Medal for Community Service to the office’s staff in recognition of their contribution to society.
Mr Lo Kin-ming, Honorary Treasurer of the Welfare Council, pointed out that the Welfare Council was in sound financial conditions during the year while the results of the satisfaction survey for service users towards services conducted by the Welfare Council was ideal as 93% of service users and 96% of caregivers or family members said they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the Welfare Council’s services. On top of that, the level of staff satisfaction rate had towards the Welfare Council stood at 77.6%—the highest since the first survey was conducted.
Speech by Secretary Law Chi-kwong
Speaking at the annual meeting, Secretary Law Chi-kwong acclaimed the Welfare Council for its continuous support to the government’s works on poverty relief, elderly and rehabilitative welfare services. “In the last policy address, we laid stress on the importance of poverty relief. The government requires joint efforts from all sides to cope with problems as a result of ageing population, and the Welfare Council is definitely our good partner,” he said.
Secretary Law Chi-kwong told that the Special Scheme on Privately Owned Sites for Welfare Uses launched by the government encouraged social welfare organisations to better use their land through in-situ expansion or redevelopment so as to reduce the long waiting times for elderly services and rehabilitation services. He believed the participation of the Welfare Council and other organisations in the said scheme could motivate more organisations to work towards the same goal to improve the quality of social services.
Psalm 92:13-14, “They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap.” Quoting the word of God, Secretary Law Chi-kwong praised the Welfare Council’s servitude towards the weak which would inspire more people to foster social integration in the community.
655 Staff Received Long Service Awards
Thanks to all staff for their commitment to their roles, the Welfare Council has made notable achievements during the year. The Welfare Council also awarded 655 employees for their contributions, including 120 staff members who have served at the organisation for more than 20 years, 5 who have served for 30 years, and 3 who have served up to 35 years.