Jockey Club Carer Space Project symposium highlights support for caregivers in aging society

The Jockey Club Carer Space Project held a symposium on Tuesday (Nov 18) to share the outcomes and insights gained during the past two years since its launch. 

Speaking at the opening, Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Jackson Woo emphasised the indispensable role carers play in an ageing society and the importance of comprehensive support across sectors. 

He said the Club had proactively invested in carer support programmes such as the Jockey Club Carer Space Project, designed to deliver evidence-based, innovative services, increase public awareness, and build a carer-friendly community.

Woo added that the Club will remain committed to enhancing cross-sector collaboration and improving quality of life for the elderly ahead.

The symposium included a capacity building seminar and a panel discussion focused on how multi-sector collaboration can enhance community capacity and establish sustainable support networks for carers, which had attracted around 350 experts and industry representatives.

Attending guests included Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han, Convenor of the Advisory Committee of the Jockey Club Carer Space Project Professor Patrick Nip and representatives of project partners.

Early results from the initiative were also presented at the symposium to highlight the effectiveness of a carer-centric service model and its long-term value to Hong Kong’s social care landscape.

Initiated and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with HK$290 million in 2023, the five-year initiative seeks to strengthen the skills and well-being of carers by linking them to timely and appropriate support services and is expected to benefit more than 40,000 carers and elderly individuals.

Partnering with six nongovernmental organisations and the Sau Po Centre on Ageing of The University of Hong Kong, 18 Carer Spaces and service points have now been established across Hong Kong, offering timely and appropriate assistance to around 11,000 carers and elderly residents.