The Hong Kong Society for the Aged (SAGE) was established in 1977. It aims at excelling in the delivery of diversified and integrated services to the elderly and making sure they are taken care of well.

15 participants from the Caring Companies visited the u0022SAGE Kai Yip Neighbourhood Elderly Centreu0022 and u0022SAGE Kai Yip Care and Attention Home for the Elderlyu0022 on 12 November. By watching a video, the participants learned more about the missions and service provided by the SAGE, including District Elderly Community Centres, Integrated Home Care Service and SAGE College etc.

The aging population is one of the pressing issues in the Hong Kong society. As the elderly become more advance in age, they face various kinds of problems and health issues. One of which is brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s Disease, which should be by no means neglected. To promote brain fitness, Brain Fitness Gymnasium under SAGE strengthens the brain functions of the elderly with the help of advanced technology and u0022brain-training systemu0022 in order to alleviate the problem of memory lapse and weakening recognition ability. The participants tried out the games as well! In addition, u0022耆樂便利店u0022 is a social skill training centre, teaching the elderly the daily and social skills.

In this activity, the participants from Caring Companies expressed strong interest in elderly services, with visiting the Elderly Home being the most popular and welcomed among the elderly. A lot of participants indicated that they would like to share this experience with the colleagues and are looking forward to the next visit and bringing warmth, care and concern to the elderly.

u0022耆樂便利店u0022 is a social skill training centre, teaching the elderly the daily and social skills.

Mr. Wong was introducing Brain Fitness Gymnasium to participants.

Group photo of 15 participants from the Caring Companies

The Christmas Party cum Networking Party of Caring Company Scheme was successfully held on December 18, 2009. More than 180 representatives from the business and social service sectors participated in the event. The event has provided a good opportunity for fostering cooperation among company representatives and their social service partners.

Mr Robert Chung Ting-Yiu, Director of the Public Opinion Programme, The University of Hong Kong was invited to announce the survey results for u0022The public and the companies’ understanding towards Corporate Social Responsibility and Caring Company Schemeu0022. About one third of the Hong Kong population has heard about the Caring Company Scheme whereas more than 90% of the interviewees recognized the mission and the continual development of the Scheme. The results were very encouraging. Mr Bernard Chan, Chairperson of HKCSS also introduced the forthcoming development of the Caring Company Scheme including the Caring Company Annual Commemorative Activity that would be held on 25 March 2010, the launch of the Donor Services and the outreach of the Caring Company Scheme in Mainland China.

The participants have understood more about how to build sustainable community partnerships. The sharing topics included enhancing Social Enterprise, supporting children development, developing digital inclusion, promoting age friendly community and employing the vulnerable group. The experiences shared brought inspirations for those who need to plan ahead of their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives in the coming year.

Guest speakers included:
– Mr Lau Hak Wah, Chief Operating Officer, AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited
– Ms Anthea Lee, The Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, HK
– Mr Howard Ling, Senior Manager (Policy Advocacy u0026amp; International Networks – Social Enterprise Business Centre), HKCSS
– Ms Iris Lam, Senior Vice President – Human Resources u0026amp; CSR Committee Co-Chairman, Bank Consortium Trust Company Limited
– Ms Chan Sau Kam, Senior Service Coordinator, Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service
– Mr Ken Chan, Chief Officer (Service Development – Children u0026amp; Youth Service), HKCSS
– Ms Estella Tong, Human Resources Manager, Hip Shing Hong Group of Companies
– Mr Low Chen Yang, TWGHS – Yu Mak Yuen Integrated Services Centre
– Mr Tony Lee, Chief Development Officer (Information Technology Resource Centre – Development), HKCSS
– Ms Mimi Yeung Yuk-chun, General Manager (Public Affairs), Hongkong Electric Holdings Limited
– Ms Grace Chan, Chief Officer (Service Development – Elderly Service), HKCSS
– Mr Lee Lam, Nice Garden Restaurant
– Mr Kuo Chun Chuen, Chief Officer (Service Development – Rehabilitation Service), HKCSS

Mr Robert Chung Ting-Yiu, announced the survey results for u0022The public and the companies’ understanding towards Corporate Social Responsibility and Caring Company Schemeu0022.

Mr Bernard Chan, introduced the forthcoming development of the Caring Company Scheme

The sharing topics of developing digital inclusion -u0026gt; Sharing Session: Developing Digital Inclusion (one of the sharing topics)

Gathering photo -u0026gt; Time for sharing among each other

The Corporate Social Responsibility Hong Kong Conference 2009 was successfully held on 23 Nov 2009. There were about 330 participants attended at the Conference. The main theme of the Conference was “Making Hong Kong a Setting Local CSR Agenda for the Next Year”, providing a discussion platform for representatives from the Government, the business and the public sector on three agenda items, namely Enhancing Employee Wellness, Enhancing Life Chance for Next Generation and Towards an Environmental Friendly and Sustainable Society through CSR. Invaluable discussions have been made on making Hong Kong a harmonious society.

Speakers include the Hon Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Government of HKSAR, The Hon Leung Chun-ying, Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council of HKSAR, Dr Poon Kit, Under Secretary for the Environment of the Government of HKSAR, Mr Wilfred Wong Kam-pui, the President of Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management, Professor Daniel Shek Tan-lei, Chairman of Action Committee Against Narcotics and Chair Professor of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Mr Bernard Chan, Chairperson of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service Chairman of the Council for Sustainable Development. Besides, corporations including Chevron Hong Kong Limited, Citi, HSBC, Hysan Development Company Limited, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong and Swire Properties Limited have shown their generous support towards the Conference with great sharing on respective topics mentioned above.

For more details, please visit
csrconference2009.caringcompany.org.hk

Group photo: The Hon Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Government of HKSAR and representatives of the major sponsors of the Conference. In encouraging environmental friendly and the giving culture, guests donated the budget of buying souvenir to WiseGiving charities instead.

Presentation by The Hon Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Government of HKSAR on “Supporting Employee Wellness”.

Representatives from a number of corporations shared views in the Corporate Sharing Session on the role of the management as regards to the support of Employee Wellness, enhancement of Life Chances for Next Generation and the building of an Environmental Friendly Society through CSR.

There were about 330 participants attended at the Conference.

Christian New Life Association (CNLA) first incorporated under Company Ordinance and registered as a charitable organization in 2001. Our participants visited their central office in Shanghai Street, Yaumatei in this sunny afternoon in July.

Their Founder, Director and Chairman of the Executive Board, Rev Cheng introduced the 15 participants from 10 caring companies the development of CNLA in the past years. By showing the videos produced by Rev Cheng himself, participants were introduced the transition in environment and improvement in activities of two Treatment and Rehabilitation Camps,「新生園」and「方舟行動」, providing systematic residential drug treatment service. CNLA has been focusing on drug rehabilitation service, guiding clients referred from court, hospital or voluntary admission to reorganise their life through using suitable models like ex-drug-abusers sharing, religious gathering, disciplinary living and mutual help group etc.

During break time, participants were introduced with CNLA’s social enterprise -「新生雅博茶園」which provides catering service, BBQ, village dishes, tea-themed meals, etc. Participants shown great interest in organizing staff events in this facility located in Fanling, New Territories, providing more learning opportunity to the youth who have job training there.

In response to Hong Kong growing problem of youth substance abuse, Christian New Life Association has developed diversified rehabilitation programmes, e.g. 14-day NLP treatment programme which would not affect study progress of youth at school. Four teenagers adopting the diversified programmes provided by CNLA joined the participants in groups to share their personal experiences so that the participants could learn more about their needs and expectations directly and all teenagers received positive encouragement and blessings from all participants.

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Group photo at the「1010豐盛生命堂」, Christian New Life Association.

Rev Cheng introduced the 15 participants from 10 caring companies the development of CNLA in the past years.

Staffs, trainees of the rehabilitation programme shared with the participants of the community visit.

The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) arranged 20 Caring Company representatives to visit Playright Children’s Play Association (Playright) located in Tai Wo Estate on 30 June 2009. This community visit aims at providing an opportunity for representatives from various business sectors to know more about the importance of enriching children’s life through quality play.

Ms Kathy Wong, Executive Director of Playright Children’s Play Association made a very interesting introduction on their services and their belief (including Advocacy, Play Resources, Play Outreach, Play Environments). Through a simple game (扯大攬) with a piece of paper, our participants not only enjoyed the fun, but also be inspired the value of the quality play.

In order to support their services and mission, Ms Wong also encouraged and invited all participants to use Playright Playmobile service for their company outdoor events. Friends and relatives were also welcome to become volunteers to help Playright to run different activities.

Through this community visit, the participants learnt the influential power of play and explored any partnership opportunities with social service organisations.

Working in partnership with HSBC for years, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service would like to encourage local SMEs to demonstrate their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility by joining the HSBC Living Business Awards. The Awards help SMEs to become more competitive and productive by implementing socially and environmentally responsible business practices.

HSBC Living Business Awards offers cash prizes totaling HK$300,000 to SMEs with outstanding performance in environmental protection, employee management, achievements in community development and overall management quality and effectiveness. Among the 193 SMEs which were awarded the HSBC Living Business Awards logo in 2008, 41% of them were also Caring Companies.

For more information about the HSBC Living Business Awards or to download the application form, please click here. The Awards submission deadline is 29 May 2009. Don’t hesitate! Act now!

On 29 April and 6 May 2009, the Caring Company Scheme and the HSBC Living Business Awards have jointly organised two sessions of u0022SMEs Workshop and luncheon: Overcome Stress and Enhance Employee Developmentu0022 for over 60 SME employers and managers. The workshops were conducted by Ms Wicky Ng, Senior Manager of Vital Employee Service Consultancy, Christian Family Service Centre, highlighting ways of stress self-examination, tips of healthy life style and ways of getting started with employee development programmes. Suggestions on workforce enhancement were provided to participating SMEs to help them withstand challenges ahead.

Unionswell Development Services Ltd., winner of the SME Community Participation Award 07/08 of the Caring Company Scheme was also awarded the HSBC Living Business Sapphire Award.

Group photo among the trainer, HSBC and HKCSS representatives: Ms Louisa Leung, Vice President External Affairs Group Communications (Asia), HSBC (Middle) Mr Cliff Choi, Business Director, HKCSS (First from Right) Ms Wicky Ng, Senior Manager of Vital Employee Service Consultancy, Christian Family Service Centre (Third from Right)

Ms Wicky Ng, Senior Manager of Vital Employee Service Consultancy, Christian Family Service Centre, highlighted stress management and employee development in the workshops to SME employers and managers.

The Hong Kong Society of the Blind (HKSB) has been providing comprehensive educational, rehabilitation, vocational training, medical and residential services to visually impaired clients in Hong Kong. Caring Companies were invited to join this Community Visit in Sham Shui Po, headquarter of the Society.

The Chief Executive of the Society, Ms Maureen Tam received all participants and briefed them the various services their Society provides. Participants were escorted to visit some of the integrated rehabilitative programmes, such as orientation and mobility skills, communication skills, home management skills etc. These training could help to develop and to enhance the independent living skills of visually impaired people, thus helping them to regain self-confidence and to develop individual potential for reintegrating into the community.

The Centralised Braille Production Centre is appointed by HK Government as the operating agency to produce all types of braille reading materials for the visually impaired in Hong Kong. After years of development since first established in 1986, the Centre is applying the latest computer technology to enhance the efficiency and quality of braille production. Participants were briefed the basic principle of braille reading by a visually impaired tutor of the centre.

Participants were arranged to visit the Health Massage and Treatment Centre operated by the Society. This Centre provides job training, placement and employment opportunities for visually impaired. Through this Centre, HKSB could promote the potential and ability of visually impaired people to the public.

Besides serving the visually impaired, the Society also provides comprehensive ophthalmological and optometrical services to the general public, through early detection and treatment of eye diseases to conduct public education. Optometrists introduced the facilities and functions of u0022Vision Screening Busu0022 to further illustrate HKSB’s mission in preventing blindness. Through visiting the General Eye and Low Vision Centre and the Vision Screening Bus, participants learnt more about the medical facilities of the Society. Business partnership opportunities were discussed during the visitation.

During the visitation, participants showed interest in the services, and they raised questions actively. Participants from Caring Companies took the chance to explore collaboration among business and social service sector. This could definitely help the visually impaired to develop their potential as well as to make contribution to the community.

Sponsored by: SF Express

The Chief Executive of the Society, Ms Maureen Tam, received all participants and briefed them the various services provided by the Society.

Participants were briefed the basic principle of braille reading by a visually impaired tutor of the Centralised Braille Production Centre.

Mr Joseph Cho, Director (Research u0026amp; Development), introduced the Vision Screening Bus to the participants.

The Hong Kong Council of Social Service organised a community visit on January 20, 2009 for representatives of Caring Companies. The participants first visited the Shamshuipo Central Integrated Children u0026amp; Youth Service of Hong Kong Christian Service (Shamshuipo Central Happy Teens Club) located at Lei Cheng Uk Estate. Ms. Apple Tse, Supervisor of the Centre, and her colleagues introduced their innovative projects with multiple intervention approaches, including drama production, parent-child board game, visit to furniture retail store etc. Most of the projects are collaborated with professional bodies and corporations. These services aim at enhancing youth’s problem solving ability, developing their potential and engaging them to society as a whole.

Besides, the participants visited Chak Yan Centre and School of the Society of Boys’ Centres, a Boys’ Home subvented by Social Welfare Department and Education Bureau. It provides both education and residential service for Primary 3 to Secondary 3 students who have behavioral and emotional problems. Participants were welcomed by Center Superintendent, Mr. Tony Leung. He briefly introduced how residential life, training and counselling service could help to nurture positive development in youths’ academic, moral, emotional and behavioral aspects. Tony also highlighted one of the many projects operated by the Center, u0022Teen Artists Workshopu0022. It is an induction to performing arts for teens with talents; teens who are interested in joining the entertainment industry are welcomed to join the project. Chak Yan Center created platforms for the teen artists to learn from experienced professionals. Via u0022Teens Moving Forwardu0022 Scheme under the Project, young people could participate and experience the procedure of arts and cultural services promotion in the commercial world, from where invaluable learning and personal changes could be gained in these exposures.

Through the visit, the participants were able to further explore how individuals and business partnerships could help the youth in need to develop their potentials and to integrate into the community.

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A group photo taken outside the Shamshuipo Central Integrated Children u0026amp; Youth Service, Hong Kong Christian Service.

The project-in-charge introduced their u0022TEENu0022 Workshop.

The Superintendent of Society for Boys’ Centres – Chak Yan Centre, Mr Tong Leung welcomed the participants.