Jockey Club Supports Programme to Advance Cross-Boundary Social Welfare Collaboration and Innovation

As an increasing number of Hong Kong residents choose to live, work and retire on the Chinese Mainland, the demand for cross-boundary social welfare services continues to grow. Ongoing innovation in social welfare services is therefore necessary for the sector to meet the evolving needs of society. In response, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has approved a donation of nearly HK$70 million to support Connecting Hearts Limited in launching the three-year Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead programme.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (3rd left); Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (3rd right); Alice Lau, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (2nd left); Edward To, Director of Social Welfare of the HKSAR Government (2nd right); Peter Douglas Koon, Chairman of the Connecting Hearts Limited (1st left); and Professor Annie Tam, Vice Chairperson of the Connecting Hearts Limited and President of the Connecting Hearts Academy (1st right), officiate at the launch ceremony of the Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead Capacity Building Programme (Cohort 1). Photo source: HKJC

The programme is built on two pillars: capacity building and integration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). It aims to enhance the professional capabilities and leadership capacity of Hong Kong’s social welfare sector, promote cooperation in welfare services across the GBA and develop sustainable, high-quality service models for the region. The Launch Ceremony cum Pilot Class of the Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead Capacity Building Programme (Cohort 1) was held today (18 August), with some 400 participants in attendance.

Officiating guests at the launch ceremony included Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government; Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Alice Lau, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government; Edward To, Director of Social Welfare of the HKSAR Government; Peter Douglas Koon, Chairman of Connecting Hearts Limited; and Professor Annie Tam, Vice Chairperson of the Connecting Hearts Limited and President of the Connecting Hearts Academy.

Club Steward Bernard Chan delivers a speech at the launch ceremony of the Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead Capacity Building Programme (Cohort 1). Photo source: HKJC

As a patriotic organisation with a strong commitment to Hong Kong, the Club has consistently leveraged its unique strengths to serve society’s priorities and contribute to the country’s high-quality development. It also actively responds to the National 15th Five-Year Plan and supports measures that facilitate Hong Kong residents’ development and daily lives in the Chinese Mainland. Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Bernard Chan said that the Club is supporting the Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead programme in response to the growing demand for cross-boundary welfare services among Hong Kong residents in the GBA. He encouraged participants to make full use of this valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of national development and welfare service practices on the Chinese Mainland. This will enable them to contribute to the long-term advancement of the social welfare sector in alignment with overall national development.

Group photo, Photo source: HKJC

Under the capacity building pillar, the programme aims to nurture a new generation of social welfare professionals equipped with expertise, leadership skills and innovative thinking to address emerging challenges arising from demographic changes, technological advancement and a rising demand for cross-regional services. The programme is expected to provide training for 1,780 social welfare professionals. Initiatives include specialised training for middle management staff to gain a deeper understanding of welfare services in the GBA, overseas study visits for industry practitioners to learn about service innovation and data application, and sponsorships for social workers with potential as future sector leaders to pursue master’s degree programmes locally or overseas.

Participants attend the pilot class of the Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead Capacity Building Programme (Cohort 1). Photo source: HKJC

Under the GBA integration pillar, the programme will promote deeper collaboration between social welfare organisations in Hong Kong and throughout the region. Building on the memoranda of understanding already signed between welfare agencies, the programme is expected to incubate around 100 cross-boundary collaborative concepts in areas including services for older adults, children and families, rehabilitation and mental health, poverty alleviation, development of the welfare sector, volunteering and others. Fifteen initiatives demonstrating strong potential will receive additional funding to be developed into pilot programmes, serving as replicable and sustainable cross-boundary service models that provide more comprehensive and higher-quality welfare services for Hong Kong residents in the region.

Participants attend the pilot class of the Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead Capacity Building Programme (Cohort 1). Photo source: HKJC

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead programme, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Around 4,300 children and youths in Hong Kong are unable to live with their families due to challenging life circumstances. To support them in building positive life trajectories and brighter futures, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, through its Charities Trust, has created and funded JC Project Bonfire with a commitment of over HK$820 million. As Hong Kong’s first and largest initiative of its kind, the project supports young people receiving Residential Child Care Services through personalised support, community networks and cross-sector collaboration.

Group photo, Photo source: HKJC

Today (25 September) marked the official launch of the project and the opening of the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. The launch ceremony was officiated by Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government; Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Nikki Ng, Convenor, JC Project Bonfire; and Lorain Lam, Chairperson, Executive Committee, The Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong Social Service.

Group photo, Photo source: HKJC

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Bernard Chan said the Club believes that children and young people, regardless of their backgrounds, should enjoy equal opportunities for development, enabling them to realise their talents and contribute to society. For this reason, “fairer opportunities” is one of the Club’s key impact areas. Through cross-sector collaboration, the Club has launched a diverse range of initiatives and expanded support networks to help people from different communities realise their potential and enhance their quality of life. JC Project Bonfire is one such initiative.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (2nd left); Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); Nikki Ng, Convenor, JC Project Bonfire (1st left); and Lorain Lam, Chairperson, Executive Committee, The Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong Social Service (1st right), officiate at the launch ceremony of JC Project Bonfire and the opening of the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC

At the heart of JC Project Bonfire is the Positive Trajectory Framework, an evidence-based model that supports children and young people in five key developmental areas: health, trusted relationships, sense of purpose, social capital, and future navigation competencies. To date, 65 dedicated Trajectory Development Coordinators have each completed 150 hours of professional training, supporting 2,300 children and young people by co-creating personalised development plans, connecting them to diverse opportunities and building community support networks that foster positive life trajectories. The project has also established collaborations with more than 250 community partners.

Club Steward Bernard Chan delivers a speech at the launch ceremony of JC Project Bonfire and the opening of the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong Photo source: HKJC

The project provides tailored support across both small group homes and foster care services. For children and youths in small group homes, the project focuses on strengthening their long term development and expanding access to opportunities and support networks. For those in foster care, support extends to both foster and biological families through programmes that promote family engagement, facilitate family reunification where appropriate, and equip young people with skills and support as they prepare for independent living.

Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (1st right); Nikki Ng, Convenor, JC Project Bonfire (1st left) and two foster parents. Photo source: HKJC

A key feature of the project is the JC Bonfire Hub, which serves as a collaborative platform where children and youths, families, caregivers, professionals and community partners can connect, learn and grow together. The hub opened today in San Po Kong is the second community hub under the project, building on the success of the first in Tuen Mun. Addressing the challenges and needs faced by foster parents, it provides professional training, respite and peer support, while fostering a supportive community network and a nurturing environment for a sense of belonging. In this caring and stable environment, children and young people can grow with confidence, security and hope for the future.

Guests tour the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC

The Club’s support for JC Project Bonfire, like all its charity and community initiatives, is made possible by its unique value creation model, through which the Club generates sustainable economic and social value for the community through tax contributions, charitable donations and employment opportunities.

The JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC

The JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC