In Hong Kong where the society is aging, the role of carers has become more important than ever. According to the "2021 Population Census Thematic Report: Older Persons," there are 246,030 unpaid carers, looking after those aged 60 and over living in domestic households and receiving long-term care. Also, according to “The Profile of Persons with Disabilities and Chronic Diseases in Hong Kong and Characteristics of their Carers”, there are 142,600 persons with disabilities (excluding persons with ID) residing in households who had an unpaid carers taking care of their day-to-day living. These carers who shoulder the responsibility for caring for their family member, are neglected and unable to plan for their own future. To enhance understanding of the hardships and needs of carers and to raise societal awareness of their care journeys and choices, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service is pleased to announce the publication of a Carers’ Stories Booklet (Chinese version only). This booklet aims to highlight the need for carers to plan their lives and to create a more supportive environment for them. It features the stories of eight carers, guiding readers into the world filled with love, struggles, choices, and regrets. DOWNLOAD If you ...

In Hong Kong, employment support has long been a core service of social service organizations. Many grassroots individuals and persons with disabilities have found meaningful employment after receiving training and job referrals from these organizations. Meanwhile, some individuals face greater employment barriers and require long-term and in-depth support. In light of changes in technology, the economy, and government policies, the entire sector needs to explore how support services can keep pace with the times. In early March this year, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) formed a delegation to visit Singapore, where they exchanged service experiences with local government departments, social service organizations, social enterprises, and academics. Three delegation members explored how the governance principles   influence welfare, employment, and job retraining measures, including the newly introduced jobseeker support programs. In addition, the systems and operational models supporting persons with disabilities (PwDs) in both regions have both similarities and differences, which are worth sharing with the sector. The delegation is now organizing a sharing session to report on their study tour, compare employment support measures between the two regions. We have invited two scholars to be commentators. We cordially invite individuals interested in employment support services for grassroots ...

香港社會服務聯會於2025年2月24日起組織了一個為期五天的探訪團，前往台北與台中市參訪空間營造及社會住宅的項目。團員來自聖雅各福群會、循道衛理觀塘社會服務處、香港明愛及香港社區組織協會等機構。考察團從台北至台中，探訪了九個空間營造和好宅計劃，這些計劃除支援照顧者和長者、低收家庭、及有社會需要的群體包括受虐婦女、貧困人士、無家者等等，還建立友善社區空間，為所有居民營造互助及自助的生活支援系統。 本次探訪團從地方創造的角度探索支援不同群體的社區營造及支援計劃。考察團將於5月7日舉辦分享會，分享台灣不同社區生活和居住空間的試驗計劃，其中包括樂齡住宅和旅宿混合的私營項目「合勤健康共生宅」，由社會局資助並推行，並由私人屋苑物管配合成為關懷據點的創新計劃；還有強調培訓村民成為照顧員，以支持當地老年人的共生社區項目「伯拉罕共生照顧勞動合作社」。此外，還有利用硬體和軟體營造社區空間，提升居住和鄰里生活品質的台中社宅項目等。分享會將介紹各種社區試驗計劃，並討論這些空間試驗計劃背後的目的和重要性，共同探討我們對理想社區空間的理念及實踐的可能性。 分享會詳情如下 : 日期： 2025年5月7日（星期三） 時間： 下午2時30分至5時正（2時15分開始登記入座） 地點： 香港灣仔軒尼詩道15號溫莎公爵社會服務大廈1樓103室 講者： 台灣社區營造與社會住宅考察團 對象： 社聯會員機構、社會企業，及從事房屋服務及照顧者服務的同工 名額： 40 名（先到先得，請早報名） 下午 內容 02:15 登記 02:30 – 02:45 簡介共生社區 02:45 – 03:45 如何以空間規劃連結社區 : 林口世大運選手村社會住宅 莒光社宅 台中社會好宅 大砌四方公寓大廈 如何以空間規劃支援長者住屋: 大龍老人住宅 合勤健康共生宅 (樂齡住宅) 伯拉罕共生照顧勞動合作社 如何以空間規劃承托照顧者: 伯拉罕共生照顧勞動合作社 弘道老人福利基金會 - 南港社區據點 復華照顧咖啡館 03:45 – 04:00 小休 04:00 – 05:30 論好社區 及總結  有興趣參與的朋友，請於2025年5月2日(星期五)或之前經網上報名。如有任何查詢，歡迎致電2876 2425或電郵至 [email protected] 與本會政策研究及倡議(社會房屋)項目主任何沁姸小姐聯絡。 ...

With the aging population and increasing pressure on public healthcare, people are focusing on how to equip themselves at various stages so that when they undergo aging, they can live healthily and meaningfully in the community. They can also plan ahead for arrangements such as advance medical directive before losing mental competency, and after death, other arrangements including funeral planning, handling of personal belongings, and support for the bereaved, ensuring that their wishes are carried out. The Hong Kong Council of Social Service recently launched the "Life Management and Care Information Platform - Compassionate Community" with the aim of consolidating service information that assists the public in managing their lives and care. The platform encourages people to manage their lives for themselves and even for their families. Within about a year of its launch, the platform has attracted nearly 20,000 views. Therefore, we hope to collect more social supporting services to provide the public with more comprehensive information. If your organization aspires to raise public awareness of more services related to life management and care support, please fill out the service information collection form (see attachment), and we will publish your information on the platform. Additionally, many organizations have been ...

With aging population, the number of people with chronic diseases is increasing and medical resources get overstretching. The World Health Organization (WHO) hereby recommends to establish comprehensive primary healthcare services in various regions. It emphasizes the need for a preventive approach, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and community participation to improve the overall health of citizens. The Social Prescription Programs launched in different areas aim to foster collaboration among healthcare and community stakeholders, providing patients with continuous medical and social services. In late November of last year, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service formed a delegation to visit Singapore, which has recently incorporated social prescriptions into its healthcare policy. The purpose of the visit was to learn about the implementation and experiences of primary healthcare and social prescriptions there. The delegation comprised professionals from various fields, including social workers, doctors, nurses, and researchers, all of whom provide primary health services at the community level. They visited government agencies, community hospitals, and clinics, and joined the ‘Asia-Pacific Conference on Social Prescription and Population Health’ organized by Singapore Community Hospital. This allowed them to reflect on the issues surrounding primary healthcare in Hong Kong and explore alternative ways for social-medical collaboration. 11 delegation members ...