Jockey Club supports centre to strengthen services for people in emotional distress

In recent years, the demand for mental health and emotional support services has become increasingly pressing. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has supported various online and offline emotional support initiatives. This includes funding the renovation of Suicide Prevention Services’ Ping Shek service centre. The upgraded facility expands its service capacity and enables the provision of more comprehensive support for vulnerable individuals, those at imminent risk and their families. The Suicide Prevention Services Jockey Club Ping Shek Service Centre was officially reopened today (11 July).

The Suicide Prevention Services Jockey Club Ping Shek Service Centre.

Officiating at the opening ceremony of the Suicide Prevention Services Jockey Club Ping Shek Service Centre were Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Hong Kong SAR Government; Ann Kung, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Mrs Wendy Kwok, Honorary Patron and Chairperson of Suicide Prevention Services; and Mrs Linda Lau, Honorary Patron and Executive Committee Member of the Suicide Prevention Services.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (2nd left); Ann Kung, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); Mrs Wendy Kwok, Honorary Patron and Chairperson of Suicide Prevention Services (1st left); and Mrs Linda Lau, Honorary Patron and Executive Committee Member of the Suicide Prevention Services (1st right) at the opening ceremony of the Suicide Prevention Services Jockey Club Ping Shek Service Centre.

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Ann Kung said that the Club recognises that mental health is the foundation of a happy life and an essential element of sustainable social development. The Club is committed to promoting and protecting the mental well-being of the community through a multi-faceted approach, supporting a wide range of emotional support services through cross-sector collaboration. Looking ahead, the Club will continue to work hand in hand with partners across the community to support public mental health on multiple fronts — from schools to neighbourhoods, from the healthcare system to both online and offline platforms — providing comprehensive and coordinated support for those in need.

Club Steward Ann Kung delivers a speech at the opening ceremony.

For over three decades, the Club has been a steadfast supporter of Suicide Prevention Services in providing assistance to people experiencing emotional distress, with approved donations totaling over HK$100 million. In addition to funding the renovation of the Suicide Prevention Services Jockey Club Ping Shek Service Centre, the Club has in recent years supported several of its initiatives, including Jockey Club Outreach and Counselling Services for Carers, which provides assistance to caregivers at risk of emotional crisis, and Jockey Club Project BLESS, which offers support to the families and friends of individuals who have passed away unexpectedly.

The Suicide Prevention Services Jockey Club Ping Shek Service Centre.

Since its establishment in 2009, the Ping Shek service centre has been Suicide Prevention Services’ headquarters and principal service base. The renovation project reconfigured approximately 256 square metres of space to improve operational efficiency and enhance the user experience. Counselling rooms and activity areas have been redesigned to provide a safer and more comfortable setting for counselling sessions and group activities. Barrier-free facilities and an accessible toilet have also been added to better meet the needs of a diverse range of service users.

The Suicide Prevention Services Jockey Club Ping Shek Service Centre.

The centre is also an important hub for volunteer training. As part of the upgrade, a range of new facilities and technologies has been introduced to strengthen support for volunteers and front-line services. These include a hands-free, noise-cancelling hotline system to improve call quality, as well as an emergency support alert system that enables staff to provide immediate assistance when required.

The Suicide Prevention Services Jockey Club Ping Shek Service Centre.

With its upgraded facilities, Suicide Prevention Services expects to further expand its service capacity. The number of trained volunteers is projected to increase by approximately 25% to serve an estimated 20% more individuals seeking help. These enhancements will strengthen Suicide Prevention Services’ comprehensive range of support services, including its 24-hour hotline, crisis intervention, bereavement counselling and community outreach programmes.

The Club’s support for the Suicide Prevention Services Jockey Club Service Centre, 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.

The fifth edition of the PBC (“PBC 2026”) will take place at the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) from 7 to 8 September. The forum is convened by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust in association with the Institute of Philanthropy (“IoP”). Marking a decade of convening the global philanthropic community, this year’s forum is themed “Leaping for Impact”, bringing together global leaders from the sports, philanthropic, academic, business, social and government sectors. Drawing inspiration from the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, alongside the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality, PBC 2026 will explore how qualities essential to success in sport - discipline, focus, resilience and teamwork - can drive enduring, tangible social change.

Convened by the Club’s Charities Trust in association with the Institute of Philanthropy, the fifth PBC will be held at West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) on 7 and 8 September under the theme “Leaping for Impact”. This year marks the 10th anniversary of PBC.

Club Chief Executive Officer and IoP Director Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said that this year’s theme – Leaping for Impact – takes inspiration from the world’s leading sports and top athletes. Given the urgent need to address pressing global social issues, and above all to create meaningful and long-lasting impact, PBC 2026 invites delegates to consider what philanthropy can learn from the values and success of these sporting champions.

Leading foundations participating in this year’s PBC include the Gates Foundation, The D. H. Chen Foundation, the Lee Hysan Foundation, the YAO Foundation, the Sanofi Foundation, the Tencent Charity Foundation, The Majurity Trust, Lien Foundation and the Essl Foundation. This year’s forum is expected to bring together over 80 eminent speakers, as well as more than 2,000 delegates, including over 350 from local, regional and global foundations. Distinguished speakers due to speak at the forum include:

Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Former United Nations Development Programme Administrator

 Hari Menon, President, Global Growth & Opportunity, Gates Foundation

Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Former United Nations Development Programme Administrator (photo ); and Hari Menon, President, Global Growth & Opportunity, Gates Foundation will be the keynote speakers at the fifth PBC.

In response to the evolving philanthropic landscape, PBC 2026 serves as an important platform for global philanthropic dialogue and collaboration. Throughout the two-day forum, thematic discussions will address a broad range of pressing social issues, including health, older adult well-being, urban poverty alleviation, heritage conservation, youth development, climate resilience, and inclusive employment. A series of sports-themed sessions will explore how the values and lessons of sport can be applied to philanthropy, leadership, organisational development and systems change. Through Impact Studios, Co-Learning Workshops and other extended programmes, the forum also seeks to connect ideas with practical implementation, while examining how social impact can be achieved on the ground.

In addition, the forum will feature major announcements. These include the launch of the first edition of the Club’s Charities Trust Impact Report, the release of the Interim Report of the Commission on Asian Philanthropy, as well as The Bridgespan Group’s report on high-impact family philanthropy.

Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Former United Nations Development Programme Administrator ; and Hari Menon, President, Global Growth & Opportunity, Gates Foundation (photo ) will be the keynote speakers at the fifth PBC.

Highlighting the transformative power of sports, culture and community inclusion, the forum’s Day 1 opening ceremony will feature a collaborative performance bringing together students from JC Project MuSE, wheelchair dancers from No Limits, and dancers living with Parkinson’s disease from the JC Dance Well Project. The performance will demonstrate how participation in Trust-supported initiatives fosters the personal growth, confidence and aspiration of young people and individuals from diverse backgrounds, while embracing Olympic and Paralympic values.

PBC 2026 is an invitation-only event. For more details on the forum agenda and speakers, please visit: https://www.pbcforum.hk.