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In the afternoon of 8th December, 2017, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Limited 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.

The Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui has laid a solid foundation for growth in Hong Kong over the past 170 years. 120 years ago, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui began its services in Kowloon City, where it built churches and schools, and provided welfare services to the underprivileged groups. As a social service organisation of the Sheng Kung Hui, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council (the Welfare Council) received funding from the Urban Renewal Fund (URF) to engage in the design and operation of the Kowloon City Themed Walking Trail. The project will bring residents and stakeholders in the community together to promote heritage preservation and arts and cultural development in Kowloon City. The Council hopes that the spirit of the community will be preserved in spite of redevelopments and new infrastructure.   The 6.5-km-long Kowloon City Walking Trial—the longest themed walking trail in Hong Kong—features five special routes. In September 2017, the Welfare Council received a fund of over HK$80 million to operate the Kowloon City Walking Trail for six years starting from 1st January, 2018 to 31st December, 2023. The walking trail is considered to be a one-of-a-kind project among similar local projects approved by the Urban Renewal Fund in terms of the amount of funding and years of operation. The Welfare Council targets to complete the third route in the first two years and the rest in the next four years.   In the afternoon of 27th November, 2017, the Welfare Council joined the Urban Renewal Fund to launch a kick-off ceremony at the S.K.H. Holy Trinity Cathedral to share the joy with the general public. Guests including Mr Michael Wong, Secretary of Development, Prof. Steven Ngai, Chairman of the Board of the URF, Dr Donald Li, Chairman of the Welfare Council Board of Directors, the Revd Canon Peter Douglas Koon, Honorary Secretary of the Welfare Council Board of Directors, Mr. Pun Kwok-wah, Chairman of the Kowloon City District Council, the Rt Revd Dr Timothy Kwok, Bishop of the H.K.S.K.H. Diocese of Eastern Kowloon, Miss Venus So, Assistant District Officer (Kowloon City), Ms Serena Lau, Director of the Board of the URF, and Dr Jane Lee, Director of the Welfare Council, officiated at the ceremony.   Speaking at the ceremony, the Revd Canon Peter Douglas Koon, Honorary Secretary of the Welfare Council Board of Directors, gave attendees an overview of the Sheng Kung Hui’s work in Kowloon City, explained the purposes of bidding the project and expressed gratitude for the participation and support of various stakeholders in the district. “Most parts of the walking trail reflects the cultural development in Kowloon City over the years. We are honoured to become part of the meaningful project. Also, we would like to give thanks to local communities and individuals, in particular the district council and Home Affairs Department. It took more than the Council and the Urban Renewal Fund’s effort to realise this goal. For everyone who made an effort, thank you, because it was with one heart and one soul that we built this trail,” he said.   In his speech, Prof. Steven Ngai, Chairman of the Board of the URF, noted that the Urban Renewal Fund has been committed to facilitating heritage preservation and district revitalization in urban redevelopment areas. Through the facilities built along the walking trail, he hoped to revitalize Kowloon City, To Kwa Wan and Hung Hom districts and stand out their unique features, and link up a cluster of historical architectures, amenities and open space in the neighbourhood for public enjoyment. “We would also like to highlight the uniqueness of Kowloon City via the themed walking trail. We want our future generations and various groups in society to bring the community to life through by interacting with one another,” he added.   Mr. Pun Kwok-wah, Chairman of the Kowloon City District Council, said, “As a key stakeholder in Kowloon City, the district council will put great efforts to the project. We will also consider to work with the Welfare Council in various projects in the future. Community arts development and cultural heritage conservation are the main tasks of the Kowloon City District Council that we plan to beautify the external walls of government buildings, footbridge staircase and internal walls of subways. I believe that the district council’s effort will create synergy with the work of the trail, and thus promote art, revitalize the community and preserve its spirit.”   During the ceremony, the officiating guests put eight illustrations of the trails key elements onto the backdrop. Mr Michael Wong, Secretary of Development, placed the last piece to symbolise the government’s support to the project.   Together, the participants and the officiating guests conducted another ritual representing joint efforts from all sides to kick off the project.   The Welfare Council also introduced to guests four targets and five key implementation strategies of the project, 53 local communities and individuals participating in the projects, as well as some important features of the project: hub of vibrancy, public furniture, KC Transformers and multi-disciplinary collaborations. Participants were also treated to local delicacies after the ceremony.

With a sponsorship from the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries, the Welfare Council has launched the “Loving Life” project since September 2016, which combined theories and practices with traditional Chinese culture and values. These theories and practices were taught through life education activities at primary and secondary schools and community groups, guiding youngsters to learn positive values, be resilient to adversity and live in abundance. Near the end of the project, the Welfare Council and the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries jointly organised a “Loving Life” Project’s Exhibition cum Talent Show to conclude the works have been done in the past few months.   Dr Albert So Chun-hin, the Chairperson of BMCPC’s External Affairs Committee, Ms Rebecca Wong, Assistant Director of the Welfare Council, artist Bob Cheung and Mr Tommy Chow, World Champion in Rope Skipping, were present to officiate at the event. When addressing the guests, Ms Rebecca Wong, Assistant Director of the Welfare Council, felt grateful for the effort and dedication of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries and other partners. She said the Welfare Council is willing to go the extra mile with life education so as to create a safe haven for the young people, help families bond and grow and promote caring culture at schools. Speaking to the guests, Dr Albert So Chun-hin, the Chairperson of BMCPC’s External Affairs Committee, shared that he hoped the exhibition could help participants and the public discover the meaning of life and learn to cherish life and beloved ones.   Singer-actor Bob Cheung shared the obstacles he faced in pursing his dream and how he revived with the support of his family members. He said by acknowledging his own efforts, he felt empowered to persevere. Cheung then performed his original composition and another local pop hit to encourage the youth to be optimistic amid adversity. Another performer Tommy Chow and his teammates showed us how to do the moves of rope skipping. Chow told that the best ways for him to relieve stress were to develop interest and do something that he enjoys.   The event featured a series of elaborate performances including dancing, live band show, singing and micro-film screening. Besides, there was an exhibition area where the winning works of Snap for Life! and Draw for Life! were on display while interactive game booths conveying the message of loving life were available.   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About the “Loving Life” Project Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council jointly organised a “Loving Life” project with the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries, which launched life education activities in 54 secondary and primary schools and community groups. These activities aim to educate young people to be positive and resilient in the face of challenges. In addition to publishing the “Loving Life—Life Education Manual”, the Welfare Council also conducted a series of reading sessions for 24 primary schools, where special reading corners were set up on campus to encourage students to learn different life philosophies and positive values through picture books. The sessions also included storytelling workshops for parents. Other activities of the project included life education programmes, drawing competition, photography competition and life education seminar to name a few.

Funded by the H.K.S.K.H. Wong Tai Sin/Sai Kung District Planning and Coordinating Team, the H.K.S.K.H. Wong Tai Sin District Community Centre co-organised the “You Make Us Love Life” Elderly Scheme with elderly centres in Wong Tai Sin, including the Kowloon City Baptist Church Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, Ho Yee Neighbourhood Centre for Senior Citizens (Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen), Caritas Elderly Centre – Tung Tau, Free Methodist Church Chuk Yuen IVY Club from September to December 2017. The programme rendered talks on community education to arouse public awareness towards elderly suicide problems, give members of society better understanding on the mental health of seniors and identify elders who have early symptoms of emotional problems or suicidal behavior so as to provide referral services to them.   According to statistics, a total of 954 persons killed themselves in Hong Kong in 2016. 366 of them are seniors aged 60 or above, accounting for 40% of the total number of suicide cases—the highest suicide rate compared to other age groups. At least one elder commit suicide every day on average. Since 2015, close to 30 elders died due to suicide, which accounted for 10% of total number of elder suicide cases.   On 17th November, 2017, the H.K.S.K.H. Wong Tai Sin District Community Centre held the “You Make Us Love Life” Elderly Scheme: Seminar and Sharing Session on Elderly Suicide at the Tung Tau Community Centre, which invited Mr Justin Leung, Program Manager of the Suicide Prevention Services, to give talk on elderly suicide and ways to cope with it. Leung analyzed the elderly suicidal problems in Hong Kong, and taught participants how to identify elders with early signs of suicidal risk as well as ways to cope with relevant problems. Two social workers of the Wong Tai Sin District Elderly Community Centre and the Chuk Yuen Canon Martin District Elderly Community Centre introduced latest services given to elders with high suicidal risk, such as services for hidden elders as well as support teams for the elderly. They hoped to enhance participants’ understanding towards their services so that helping hand could be extended to high-risk elderly persons.   In show of love and care of the community, three officiating guests, Mr Joe Sham, Assistant Director of the Welfare Council, Mr Li Tak-hong, JP, Chairman of the Wong Tai Sin District Council and Ms Heidi Lam, Assistant District Social Welfare Officer (Wong Tai Sin & Sai Kung) together with the district councillors, representatives from property management companies, mutual aid committee members, senior members of the elderly centres and domestic helpers joined more than 200 community members at the event.   Furthermore, the project’s training DVD for caretakers were produced to help caretakers beware of elders with suicidal risk and hidden elders, recognise their role and community resources so that related parties or they could stay alert on high-risk elderly persons and give them immediate intervention and support services, and promote the message of cherishing life in a loving community. Participating elderly centres also collaborated with management companies in the neighbourhood to arrange multiple training sessions for caretakers and distribute leaflets to educate them how to identify high-risk elders and handle accordingly. The programme also organised trainings on increasing awareness of preventing elderly suicide and ways to handle it for frontline and professional staff on 8th September and 1st December, 2017, respectively.

The Welfare Council has never ceased to provide quality nursing services to seniors. On 14th November, 2017, Professor Sophia Chan, Secretary for Food and Health, and Dr KH Wong, Controller of the Centre for Health Protection, visited the H.K.S.K.H. Nursing Home to assess the implementation of the vaccination programme in the Home and were shown how PCV13 injections were given to residents by the Council’s doctors.   Secretary Sophia Chan and guests showed care of the residents and reminded them to get the injections. Accompanied by Ms Jennis Ho, Assistant Director of the Welfare Council and Superintendent of the H.K.S.K.H. Nursing Home, Secretary Sophia Chan and guests also toured the home to learn more about residents’ activities.   Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme 2017/18 has been launched in 25th October, 2017. Free seasonal influenza vaccination will be provided to all residents, staff of residential care homes for the elderly and residential care homes for persons with disabilities, and non-institutionalised persons with intellectual disability receiving services in designated in institutions serving mentally handicapped persons. The government will also provide PCV13 and 23vPPV to all residents of residential care homes for the elderly and residents of aged 65 or above residing in residential care homes for persons with disabilities. For further details, please visit the website of the Centre of Health Protection: http://www.chp.gov.hk/tc/view_content/21657.html.   Established in 1998, the H.K.S.K.H. Nursing Home offers a total of 280 places to elderly persons. Adhering to the Welfare Council’s service mission, “Personalised Service, Holistic Care”, the Home provides residential care, medical and spiritual support for seniors who suffer from poor health or require a higher level of care. Please call 2325 5330 for enquiries.