Jockey Club Key House opens to help youth in need rebuild their lives

For young people leaving residential care services who are unable to return home, as well as persons in recovery striving to rebuild their lives, access to a stable and supportive living environment is critical to their development and reintegration into society.

Jockey Club Key House integrates accommodation and support services under a one-stop co-living model.

In response to this need, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust approved a donation of HK$240 million to SideBySide to support the redevelopment of its Shau Kei Wan hostel into Jockey Club Key House and implementation of the three‑year Jockey Club “Craft Your Life Together” Co‑living Community Project. Jockey Club Key House held its opening ceremony today (30 May), marking the official commencement of services at the facility.

Guests tour the facilities of Jockey Club Key House.

The initiative combines accommodation with vocational development and social support, offering one‑stop accommodation and holistic support services to youth in need. It empowers them to develop independent living skills, pursue career and life planning, redefine their life goals and reconnect with the community. Key House is also Hong Kong’s first co‑living project to bring together out-of-home youths and persons in recovery under one roof. Through daily co‑living, residents with different backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to learn from and support one another.

Jockey Club Key House integrates accommodation and support services under a one-stop co-living model.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government; Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Justice Poon Siu‑tung, Chairman of SideBySide; and other distinguished guests.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (3rd left); Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (3rd right); Grace Chan, Legislative Council Member (Functional Constituency – Social Welfare) (1st left); Justice Poon Siu tung, Chairman of SideBySide (2nd left); Patrick Li, Vice President and Corporate Governance Member of SideBySide and Chairperson of the Jockey Club “Craft Your Life Together” Co living Community Project Programme and Steering Committee (2nd right); and Anthea Lee, Chief Executive of SideBySide (1st right) officiate at the opening ceremony of Jockey Club Key House.

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Jackson Woo said that Jockey Club Key House represents an important innovation in youth and rehabilitation support services in Hong Kong. Beyond promoting social inclusion, the project also serves as a demonstration model for the sector. Looking ahead, he added that the Club will continue to advance its “Fairer Opportunities” impact programme through cross‑sector collaboration, expanding support networks to enable under‑resourced communities to realise their potential and improve their quality of life.

Club Steward Jackson Woo delivers a speech.

The 22-storey Jockey Club Key House is Asia’s first co‑living service building operated under the internationally recognised “Youth Foyer” model, which combines affordable accommodation with structured education and career development support. The project integrates youth hostel services with mental health recovery principles. Approximately two‑thirds of residents will be young people leaving residential care and one‑third persons in recovery. Through the Jockey Club “Craft Your Life Together” Co‑living Community Project, residents are supported in developing life skills, planning their future pathways, and enhancing their physical and mental well‑being.

Guests tour the facilities of Jockey Club Key House.

The Jockey Club “Craft Your Life Together” Co‑living Community Project also encourages residents to give back to the community. Residents who demonstrate positive engagement and sustained progress may be eligible for personal development scholarships to support their continued growth and future aspirations. Even after residents move on, support will extend through structured transition arrangements, follow‑up services, as well as ongoing peer and alumni networks. For details on the Jockey Club “Craft Your Life Together” Co‑living Community Project, please visit: https://web-smart.sidebyside.org.hk/en/jcccp.

Jockey Club Key House integrates accommodation and support services under a one-stop co-living model.

The Club’s support for Jockey Club Key House and the Jockey Club “Craft Your Life Together” Co‑living Community Project, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Jockey Club Key House integrates accommodation and support services under a one-stop co-living model.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club-supported Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour, part of the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign, held its Tsim Sha Tsui Community Exhibition Launch Ceremony today (16 May) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza. The exhibition showcases horse sculptures created by renowned artist Simon Ma and the works are on a year-long tour of Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, symbolising unity between the Club and the community.

Horse sculptures created by renowned artist Simon Ma, are on show at the piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from today until 21 May.

Guests in attendance at the launch ceremony included Chris Sun, HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Winfried Engelbrecht‑Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and artist Simon Ma.

Chris Sun, HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare (3rd right); Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (3rd left); renowned artist Simon Ma (2nd right); Eric Lee, Yau Tsim Mong District Officer (1st right); Wong Kwok Hing, Commissioner of Correctional Services (2nd left) at the Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour Tsim Sha Tsui Community Exhibition Launch Ceremony as part of the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign.

The Tsim Sha Tsui Community Exhibition at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza runs from today until 21 May. The exhibition will then tour Tamar Park in Admiralty, as well as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and other locations. Through art and community engagement, it offers more citizens the opportunity to experience the unique charm of horse culture combined with contemporary art. The exhibition also features a nighttime horse-themed light show, highlighting the dynamic movement and power of galloping horses.

Guests joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Guests joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Guests joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Today’s launch ceremony also saw the announcement of the winners of the “Horse With You” Art Competition, launched by the Club in conjunction with Ma. A renowned interdisciplinary artist from Hong Kong, Ma is dedicated to promoting cultural and artistic exchange between East and West, with the horse serving as a significant creative symbol representing strength, unity and the spirit of heritage. As part of the Club’s 140th anniversary celebrations, thousands of young people - from kindergarten to university level – created artworks for the competition, drawing inspiration from the equine paintings of pioneering Chinese artist Xu Beihong. The competition comprised ten categories, with 30 winners or winning teams selected.

Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (7th right) presented awards to winners of the “Horse With You” Art Competition.

Almost 100 (TBC) award-winning students from the “Horse With You” Art Competition - launched by the Club in conjunction with Simon Ma – together with mentees of the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme and underprivileged students, joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Almost 100 (TBC) award-winning students from the “Horse With You” Art Competition - launched by the Club in conjunction with Simon Ma – together with mentees of the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme and underprivileged students, joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

The Club’s Year of the Horse campaign is a year-long celebration of the close bond between horses and humans and the contribution racing makes to Hong Kong. It also promotes tourism as well as equine and sports development. Racing is not only the city’s favourite pastime, but also a symbol of its “can-do” spirit and stability under One Country, Two Systems. Through the success of Hong Kong horses on the international stage, the sport also brings pride to the community and global recognition to our city. None of this would be possible without the horse. For more information, please visit https://hkjc.com/YOTH.

Guests posed a group photo with winners of the “Horse With You” Art Competition.