URA joins hands with young people to serve residents in old districts

The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) has partnered with 10 tertiary institutions and social service organisations under the Community Service Partnership Scheme (CSPS) in this 2016/17 academic year to organise various programmes to serve the residents in the old districts.  An Old Hong Kong-themed party was especially held today (Saturday) for about 80 elderly residents in Kowloon City/To Kwa Wan, including those affected by the URA redevelopment projects, to celebrate the approach of the Year of the Rooster.

Entering its fifth year, CSPS is a collaboration of tertiary institutions and social service organisation that aims to service the older community in Hong Kong.  Through the assistance of social service organisations, volunteers comprising URA colleagues and tertiary students organise different caring programmes for the residents in the old districts.  Over the past five years, the URA joined hands with 29 tertiary institutions and social service organisations, arranging a total of 21 service programmes.  Some 5,400 service hours have been achieved by about 600 volunteers, benefitting some 1,500 residents in the old districts including students from low income families, elderly, homeless, single-parent families, mentally-challenged people, ethnic minority and visually-impaired people.

Joining the themed party today, Non-Executive Director of URA Board, Dr Lawrence Poon, and Managing Director of the URA, Ir Wai Chi-sing, commended the selfless contribution of all participating volunteers for their community services and expressed gratitude for the support of partnering organisations. 

"CSPS volunteers brought love and care to the residents in old districts with the assistance of social service organisations.  The URA will continue to uphold its social mission to serve the old community in Hong Kong in the new year and we look forward to the continued support from the tertiary institutions and social service organisations for this meaningful scheme," said Dr Poon.

The themed party held today was planned and arranged by a group of young people, which included traditional Chinese snack tasting, Chinese New Year couplet writing, instant badge making and interactive games, etc.  There were also drama performance by the elderly from Hong Kong Family Welfare Society and Kendama performance by students from the Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) (Sha Tin).

One of the seniors from Chung Sing Benevolent Society who participated in the activities today, Ms Hui, said, "I had a great time with the young people today.  I hope similar activities can be held more in future so that elderly living in To Kwa Wan will stay more spirited."

A volunteer of the Social Service Team of City University of Hong Kong, Leung Wang-pong, said, "Through organising activities for ethnic minority children, I come to realise that many people of different social classes and races are in need of care and tolerance from the community.  The society will be more harmonious if it better understands them."

There are five service programmes for the CSPS in the 2016/17 academic year, serving residents in To Kwa Wan, Sham Shui Po, Central & Western District and Kwun Tong.  The partnering organisations include the University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, IVE (Sha Tin), Hong Kong Family Welfare Society, Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association, Christian Family Service Centre, New Home Association, Chung Sing Benevolent Society and Hong Kong Young Ambassador Scheme.

(ENDS)