PolyU Study Confirms U3A’s Social Impacts Aiming to Support Sustainable Growth of the Silver Economy     【Press Release - June 23, 2025】A recent study commissioned by the University of the 3rd Age (U3A), jointly run by HK Electric and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS), has affirmed the programme’s social impacts in enhancing the well-being of local retirees. Details of the findings were released at the “U3A Annual Recognition Ceremony 2024–2025”. Conducted by the Research Centre for Gerontology and Family Studies of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the study assessed the social impact of U3A on local retirees in three key areas—active ageing, lifelong learning, and life planning, while also gathering their views on cross-border retirement. The survey, conducted through questionnaire, gathered responses from 826 local retirees aged 60 or above, including 326 U3A participants. Among these U3A members, over 95% agreed that U3A activities had positively contributed to their retirement planning (95.10%), enhanced their understanding of gerontechnology (95.70%) and environmental protection (97.20%), and improved their social (98.80%) and communication skills (98.20%). U3A participants also reported significantly higher levels of “overall happiness” and lower levels of depression compared to non-participants, underscoring U3A’s positive impact on elderly ...

Youth Co:Lab Hong Kong Dialogue Highlights the Urgent Need for Youth Mental Health Solutions and Support Citi Foundation and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) remain steadfast advocates for innovative and collaborative solutions to empower youth Hong Kong – Over 400 youth workers, academic professionals, policy makers and mental health practitioners convened at the Youth Co:Lab Hong Kong Dialogue (HK Dialogue) on May 21 to advance solutions addressing mental health needs of young people.  Co-led by Citi Foundation and UNDP, and organized in partnership with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS), the HK Dialogue was held in conjunction with the S+ Summit & Expo that attracted over 13,000 attendees over two days. The dialogue explored key challenges faced by young people with mental issues, examined related policy implications, and highlighted holistic support strategies and best practices. The event also featured an interactive exhibition, providing participants with valuable resources and information on youth mental health. “Citi and the Citi Foundation have long invested in empowering young people and young social entrepreneurs in the communities we serve. Through impactful programs such as Youth Co:Lab, we strive to create an enabling environment that incubates innovative solutions developed by young people for some of the most pressing ...

社聯致力推動「樂齡科技」及「照護食」 應對高齡社會挑戰。把握銀髮經濟機遇 【新聞稿2025年5月27日】特區政府「促進銀髮經濟工作組」今日公布最新措施，涵蓋多個領域，著力推進銀髮經濟，提及香港社會服務聯會（社聯）兩個重點項目「樂齡科技」及「照護食」，共同為銀髮一族創造更優質的生活和消費環境。 社聯行政總裁陳文宜女士：「無論在社會服務、醫療及城巿設計方面，人口高齡化衍生許多新需要和挑戰，同時也帶動產業發展。透過應用樂齡科技，如智能家居、健康監測、復康訓練等工具，可以提升長者的自理能力、健康管理、生活便利性和家居安全，實現居家安老；至於照護食則讓吞嚥困難患者可以享用色香味和營養俱全的膳食，重拾食趣，大大改善他們的生活質素，也為市場帶來了新的商機。」 樂齡科技 賽馬會「a家」樂齡科技教育及租賃服務進一步擴大服務區域涵蓋港九新界，無論機構（如院舍、醫療機構、社福團體）和個人均可享用服務，器材可供租賃或購買，提供更靈活和彈性的選擇，以支援長者或殘疾人士的日常生活需要及社區照顧，減輕其照顧者的負擔。社聯將透過引入更多合適社區長者/年輕長者的樂齡科技產品及方案，從而配合現時新世代長者的需要及居家安老。「a家」亦會持續引入更多種類及預防性的產品、內地及本地的供應商，提升整個樂齡科技產業的生態。 預計今年6月社聯推出樂齡科技租賃網購平台，讓公眾、有需要的銀髮一族或照顧者能更便捷地租賃或購買樂齡科技產品，及以科技提升日常生活質素和保持健康生活。同時，我們亦與香港貿發局合作，賽馬會「a家」樂齡科技教育及租賃服務的樂齡科技產品，將於灣仔會展的貿發局「香港‧設計廊」的銀髮市場專區上架，讓更多公眾透過不同的銷售點接觸和購買適合的器材。 每年11月與特區政府合辦全港最大型的「樂齡科技博覽暨高峰會」，讓大眾近距離接觸及認識樂齡科技產品與方案，推動本地安老及復康服務業積極應用有關科技，更促成相關服務及計劃的開展。 照護食 社聯於2023年與香港中文大學食品研究中心及香港大學吞嚥研究所合作制定本港首套「照護食標準指引」，以「國際吞嚥障礙飲食標準」（IDDSI）為核心，統一照護食標準及檢測流程。現正與香港中華廠商聯合會合力研擬「照護食大灣區標準」，預計於2025年底發布。另外，社聯積極開發照護食認可機制，為市場上的照護食產品提供級別認證。 社聯團隊培育多間「照護食種子餐廳」：包括一葉小廚、ASAP、iBakery、鏞記酒家，而未來將有更加多品牌，例如美心皇宮、上海姥姥、麗姐廚房、德國寶開心廚房等連鎖及獨立餐飲品牌，率先研發並推出IDDSI標準的照護食菜單，形成可複製的商業模式。此外，積極對接外送平台，拓展照護食的零售渠道，助力餐飲業者將照護食納入日常營運。再者，為減輕長者經濟負擔，引入「照護食餐券」及於社區推出「照護食飯盒派發」試點計劃，透過基金會贊助幫助長者獲取照護食產品，以減輕其財務負擔。 定期在社區中心及長者服務機構，為退休人士及老年照顧者開辦「照護食工作坊」，教授食材處理、營養調配及簡易烹調法，提升他們在家庭照顧中的自理能力。同時，與電器品牌合作，推動改良其家電廚具，使其具備智能化製作照護食，使長者及照顧者更輕鬆地製備照護食，顯著提高生產效率。 下載樂齡科技博覽及照護食圖片 傳媒查詢： 曾志康先生 社聯企業傳訊高級經理 電話：(852) 2864 2982 Email：[email protected] ...

HKCSS "Champions for Good Awards" 2025 Presented 31 Awards Recognizing Outstanding Achievements in the Social Service Sector Promoting Cross-Sector Collaboration for Collective Social Well-being  [Press Release – May 22, 2025] The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) hosted the 2025 "Champions for Good Awards" presentation ceremony yesterday (May 21), honoring social service organizations for their exceptional contributions and innovative practices. The event drew over 300 representatives from the social service, business, government, academic and professional sectors, celebrating excellence in service. Mr SUN Yuk Han, Chris, JP, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, was the officiating guest, joining Revd Canon Hon KOON Ho Ming, Peter Douglas, BBS, JP, Chairperson of HKCSS; Ms CHAN Man Yee, Grace, Chief Executive; and other distinguished guests in presenting the awards. Celebrating Excellence, Fostering Cross-Sector Collaboration The "Champions for Good Awards" aim to recognize outstanding social service organizations while promoting collaboration and exchange cross-sector. This year, the awards featured two categories: "Excellence in Service" and "Excellence in Driving Change" with a total of 31 awards across diverse fields, including elderly services, children and youth services, rehabilitation services, health and mental health services, and more. The focus was on innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and user co-creation to drive ...

S+ Summit cum Expo 2025 Together We Co-create a Sustainable Society 【Press Release - May 20, 2025】Amid rapid social, economic, and environmental changes, Hong Kong faces significant challenges such as demographic shifts and economic transformation, while also encountering development opportunities through technological advancements and regional integration. Collaborative efforts across all sectors are essential to build a sustainable and livable Hong Kong with innovative ideas and solutions. The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) connects communities, businesses, government, and academia to create well-being in Hong Kong. Today marks the second "S+ Summit and Expo," the largest sustainable development and social service expo, brings together over 4,500 stakeholders from various sectors to address local and regional social issues within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering synergy, social impact, and sustainability in Hong Kong. Revd Canon Hon Peter Douglas KOON Ho-ming, BBS, JP, Chairperson of HKCSS, stated: “In light of demographic changes and an aging population in Hong Kong, we urgently need to explore resilient development pathways. The S+ Summit cum Expo serve as a vital platform that unites wisdom from diverse sectors and stakeholders, enabling the sharing of knowledge and experiences, active participation in discussions, and collaborative efforts ...