DBS Foundation and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service Co-Hosted
“Equip Today, Empower Tomorrow” Community Carnival

Promoting Digital Health and Financial Literacy to Build Thriving Communities —
Over 100,000 Underprivileged Individuals to Benefit

Hong Kong, 23 July 2025 – DBS Foundation (“the Foundation”) and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (“HKCSS”) embarked on a 3-year strategic partnership in November 2024, aiming to impact over 100,000 elderly individuals and underprivileged families across Hong Kong to improve their livelihood. This collaboration focuses on two community-based programmes designed to address key societal needs: digital health management in an ageing society, and family financial education and communications.

• “SilverConnect” improves primary healthcare access for the elderly and their caregivers at home and residential care facilities through the development of a tele-practice platform;
• “Treasure Wealth, Treasure Love” Family Financial Education Programme promotes a holistic approach to financial education, planning, and family communications to strengthen the resilience of low-income families.

To promote social participation and enhance public awareness, the “Equip Today, Empower Tomorrow” Community Carnival was jointly organised by the Foundation and HKCSS from 18–19 July 2025 at Lok Fu Place, Kowloon. The Carnival featured demonstrations of tele-practice solutions, interactive activities, and gamified learning experiences, enabling participants to undergo convenient health screenings, acquire practical financial knowledge, and enhance family communication skills—with the aim of equipping underprivileged families to build a brighter, more secure future.

Ms Alphae CHEN, Head of Group Strategic Marketing and Communications, DBS Bank (Hong Kong), said, “DBS Foundation firmly believes that when vulnerable communities have sufficient resources and knowledge, they can overcome challenges and transform themselves. Through this Community Carnival co-organised with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, we hope more citizens will learn about “SilverConnect“ and the “Treasure Wealth, Treasure Love” Family Financial Education Programme, encouraging the public to proactively care for their health and equip themselves with financial knowledge, better planning for their and their families’ future. We are committed to continuing to invest resources and connect with different partners, empowering underprivileged communities to become more resilient in facing tomorrow’s challenges.”

Ms Grace CHAN, Chief Executive of HKCSS, said, “Health is the greatest wealth in life, encompassing many elements such as physical health, mental health, and financial health. With the support of the DBS Foundation, social service organisations can engage deeply with the community, reaching grassroots individuals living in various public housing. We assist families in maintaining good financial health and provide remote healthcare services for the elderly, collaborating with different stakeholders to build a happy community.”

“SilverConnect”

Through the application of a one-stop “tele-practice platform” and diverse gerontechnology solutions, the programme provides a three-level health management and intervention model for seniors with different health conditions. This encourages seniors to establish healthier lifestyles early on and assists caregivers in improving care quality. Through Community Partners, the programme offers free health risk assessments and follow-up training, realising the principle of “early detection, early intervention.” At the same time, by providing gerontechnology solutions, therapists receive assistance in incorporating tele-rehabilitation elements into seniors’ care plans, increasing training opportunities for homebound seniors and improving rehabilitation progress, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes.

In the first 6 months of the programme, 11 organisations participated, delivering digital health management intervention services to over 2,300 elderly beneficiaries. The programme also conducted capacity building workshops to equip over 220 caregivers with essential health management knowledge, while nearly 250 professional staff received skill-based training in digital healthcare solutions.

The programme aims to introduce tele-practice solutions into seniors’ homes, allowing them to receive appropriate care and support flexibly and independently, regardless of geographical and time limitations. This supports aging-in-place and home rehabilitation, with expectations to serve over 52,000 elderly and caregivers within three years.

“Treasure Wealth, Treasure Love” Family Financial Education Programme

Through the collaboration with five Community Partners and Volunteers from DBS Bank, this programme aims to enhance the financial literacy of grassroots citizens in Hong Kong and promote effective communication within families regarding financial matters. The current target audience includes parents, children, youth, the elderly, couples, and new arrivals. The programme provides tailored financial education and consultation services to meet the specific needs of these diverse groups. The scope of services encompasses not only family financial management and planning, the development of positive financial attitudes, and communication skills among family members, but also practical knowledge on preventing financial scams, using credit cards wisely, and effectively managing the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF).

Over the past six months, the programme has successfully organised nearly 100 financial workshops, group activities, and individual consultations, benefiting nearly 900 participants. It is projected that over the next three years, the programme will serve more than 6,300 individuals. Additionally, HKCSS will host the “Family Finance and Communication Experiential Day” in various districts across Hong Kong. These events will feature interactive games and engaging displays to promote financial skills and encourage family dialogue among the public. The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of family financial management and communication, with an anticipated outreach of over 40,000 individuals in underprivileged communities within three years.

Download photos and press release

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kB9I6ySTvyg_ZG-_DnztT0Yg8nTrXusl?usp=drive_link

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About DBS Foundation

DBS Foundation is committed to uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need.

Since 2014, it has been championing innovative businesses for impact – businesses that are focused on addressing key societal issues, and achieve profit through purpose. Through philanthropic funding, capacity building, mentorship and other support measures, DBS Foundation catalyses the growth and impact of these purpose-driven businesses.

It also seeks to ignite positive change by helping the underserved and underprivileged to build towards better circumstances. This includes providing essential needs to those without, and fostering inclusion by equipping them with financial and digital literacy skills.

DBS Foundation also works with other like-minded partners to ignite enduring change. Its vision is to spark collective action to help build a better world; to make every day better and every tomorrow brighter. For more information, please visit: www.dbs.com/dbsfoundation.

About The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS)

The HKCSS is a statutory body established in 1947. Together with our Agency Members, we uphold social justice and equality in our mission to advance the well-being of the Hong Kong community. The HKCSS is committed to building an impact-oriented, collaborative, and innovative social service sector, and co-creating a better society with stakeholders across different sectors. The HKCSS has over 520 Agency Members, with service units throughout Hong Kong, providing high-quality social services to those in need. For more information, please visit: www.hkcss.org.hk

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