Energising seniors via active ageing

Located in Tsing Yi, Ching Fu Jolly Net is redefining community support for the elderly. Subsidised by the Social Welfare Department and operated by Po Leung Kuk, the centre will officially open in mid-March, providing tailored services for seniors and their carers.

As one of three Jolly Net facilities managed by Po Leung Kuk, the centre aims to challenge traditional stereotypes of elderly care. By offering a diverse range of modern and engaging activities, it empowers seniors to lead fulfilling lives within their own communities.

These vibrant programmes have already become a significant draw for local residents, fostering a culture of active ageing.

Before retirement, Mr Sam So (right) navigated the city’s streets as a taxi driver, and now he has found a new outlet in the world of e-sports racing games.

Virtual vistas

After undergoing surgeries on both knees, Mr Sam So could not move and spent his days at home feeling bored. By chance, he saw the Po Leung Kuk Jolly Net nearby. Since they had an e-sports class, he decided to join.

Before retirement, Mr So navigated the city’s streets as a taxi driver and possessed a strong knack for car maintenance. Now, he has found a new outlet in the world of e-sports racing games, where he often outperforms younger players. 

“Life is vibrant and colourful now. I teach my friends the techniques I have learned and we play together.

“Everyone is happy. Recently, the centre even arranged for us to compete against some teenagers from Tuen Mun.

“We were lucky enough to win the championship. My friends and I were thrilled,” he added.  

The centre's diverse programmes take a holistic approach to wellness, enhancing both the physical health and mental well-being of its members.

Among those benefiting is Ms Lucia Tam. Previously struggling with poor health and requiring mobility assistance to walk, her life took a positive turn after she joined the centre. By actively participating in stretching and yoga classes, she has seen a significant improvement in her physical fitness and now enjoys a clearer, more vibrant mind.

“Discovering the centre had opened was a happy accident and I thought why not give it a try.

“So, I became a member. Now, I never miss a stretching class and I also take part in yoga.

“I have noticed a real improvement in my body. I used to struggle with simple movements and needed help just to walk or sit. Since joining the centre, I have completely set aside all worries.

“This is why I am so eager to take part in activities here.” 

Ms Lucia Tam (left) previously struggled with poor health, but her life took a positive turn after joining the centre’s stretching and yoga classes.

Golden opportunities

Po Leung Kuk Assistant Principal Social Services Secretary Rebecca Wong said traditional elderly centres often focus on basic care and social activities. While these services are important, she said they do not fully meet the expectations of younger seniors for growth and development.

“We aim to provide innovative and specialised activities that offer seniors more opportunities to develop their skills, showcase their abilities and achieve self-fulfilment,” she explained.

The centre offers a wide range of physical activities, including yoga classes, mountain climbing, canoeing and pickleball. These programmes are designed to help seniors maintain mobility, independence and overall health, while also providing opportunities to connect with nature.

To support emotional well-being, the centre also provides horticultural therapy, aroma therapy, art work sessions, latte art workshops and wine tasting activities.

These therapeutic programmes aim to reduce stress, alleviate anxiety and depressive symptoms, and help participants regulate their emotions.

To foster digital inclusion, the centre organises courses on artificial intelligence applications and e-sports activities. These initiatives empower seniors to keep pace with technological advancements, maintain mental agility through strategic thinking and strengthen their social bonds.

For many participants, Jolly Net is more than just a meeting point; it is a platform where they can showcase their talent, contribute to the community and lead fulfilling lives in their golden years.

Ms Rebecca Wong (left) says traditional elderly centres often focus on basic care and social activities, while they aim to provide activities that offer seniors opportunities to develop their skills.

Online pre-registration for public observation for fourth round of evidential hearings of Independent Committee in relation to fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po

The following is issued on behalf of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po:

The Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po announced today (April 21) that the fourth round of evidential hearings, comprising three hearings, would be held during May 6 to May 8. Members of the public may pre-register for selected hearings under this round that they wish to observe via the online system from 10am on April 23 to 10am on April 26.

The Committee will hear evidence in the evidential hearings on matters in accordance with its terms of reference. The Committee aims to clarify the relevant facts through oral evidence, written submissions, and other forms of evidence presented by witnesses. This will provide an important basis for the preparation of its report and recommendations.

The schedule for the fourth round of three evidential hearings is as follows:

Date

1.

May 6 (Wednesday)

2.

May 7 (Thursday)

3.

May 8 (Friday)

The evidential hearings will be conducted in Cantonese from 10am to 1pm and from 2.15pm to 4.30pm at the Multi-purpose Hall, 3/F, City Gallery, 3 Edinburgh Place, Central. Simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua and English will be provided in the City Gallery.

City Gallery, 3 Edinburgh Place, Central, Photo source: reference image

In the fourth round of evidential hearings, the Committee will continue to receive oral evidence from witnesses. The Committee will release the list of exact witnesses who will be giving evidence at each date of hearing on its website (www.ic-wangfukcourtfire.gov.hk/eng/timetable.html) nearer the time.

Some seats for the hearings will be reserved for the involved parties, and some seats will be open to the public to observe the proceedings. To allow more members of the public to attend the hearings, the proceedings will be broadcast simultaneously in transmission areas set up on the ground floor of the City Gallery and in the Lecture Theatre of the Hong Kong Central Library. Arrangements will be made for some members of the public to observe the hearings in these two areas. A total of about 360 seats will be available for public observation in the main venue and the two transmission areas. About half of the seats will be set aside for residents of Wang Fuk Court on a priority basis. Separate arrangements will be made for the media.

To avoid members of the public queuing outside the venue for a long time, and to allow those who wish to observe the hearings to have certainty of whether seats have been secured before the day of the hearings, for the fourth round of hearings, individuals (including Wang Fuk Court residents) are required to pre-register online (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ic-hearing/en/) from 10am on April 23 to 10am on April 26. Registrants should select on the online registration form the dates they wish to observe (one or more sessions can be selected) and submit the duly completed form. The Secretariat of the Committee will allocate seats on a first-come, first-served basis according to the system's record of the time that the pre-registration forms are received.

Successful registrants will receive a "Confirmation of Successful Registration" for the fourth round of hearings issued by the Secretariat of the Committee by April 30. An SMS notification will be sent from the sender name "#IC-hearing". If an email address is also provided during pre-registration, an email notification will be sent from hearing@ic-wangfukcourtfire.gov.hk. Pre-registration will be considered unsuccessful for those who have not received a notification by that date. Each person can only pre-register for each day of hearing once. Duplicate registrations will not be processed.

According to the current plan, more hearings will be held. Relevant details (including the specific dates of the hearings and the pre-registration arrangements for public observation) will be announced separately.

The Chief Executive established the Committee to review the causes of the fire at Wang Fuk Court and related issues, and to make recommendations to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. The Committee formally commenced its work on December 19, 2025, and the evidential hearings on March 19 to receive oral evidence from witnesses.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Photo by Bastille Post