Jockey Club initiative provides health support and workplace opportunities for persons with disabilities

Many people with mild to moderate physical and intellectual disabilities in Hong Kong are experiencing age-related health issues, resulting in increased demand for rehabilitation and support services. To help address these evolving needs, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has approved a donation of over HK$237 million to modernise nine integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres and implement the Jockey Club Health Support Project for Persons with Disabilities. The initiative aims to diversify vocational training options and strengthen health support services, enabling service users to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives. 

The Jockey Club The Nexus Point for Rehab, located in Yuen Long and operated by Wai Ji Christian Service, is one of the centres participating in the initiative. Modernisation works at the centre was completed recently and it is now serving 130 persons with disabilities. The upgraded centre provides modern, market-relevant vocational skills training, helping service users better prepare for today's workplace while building their confidence. 

A distinctive feature of the initiative is its emphasis on both health and vocational development. Beyond workplace training, the centre also implements the Jockey Club Health Support Project for Persons with Disabilities. Developed and delivered by the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the project aims to compile health profiles of service users and organise health programmes covering physical fitness, nutrition and self-management, helping service users and their families establish healthier daily routines. 

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (3rd left); Susan Chan, Assistant Commissioner for Rehabilitation of the HKSAR Government (1st left); Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (3rd right); Professor Annie Tam, Chairperson of the Connecting Hearts Limited and President of the Connecting Hearts Academy (2nd right); Shek Chan Lai-wah, District Social Welfare Officer (Yuen Long) of the HKSAR Government (1st right); and Pang Ho-yin, Chairman of the Board of Wai Ji Christian Service (2nd left), officiate at the Jockey Club The Nexus Point for Rehab Modernisation Project Completion and Launch Ceremony cum Inclusive Carnival.

Key facilities at the centre include a 600 sq ft professional training kitchen equipped with advanced catering equipment and a Licensed Food Factory; a simulated café environment where trainees gain hands-on experience in food service and customer interaction; professional rehabilitation equipment for functional assessment and interactive training; barrier-free facilities, including wireless height-adjustable tables to accommodate different training needs; clay mixers and large-capacity ceramic kilns for pottery training; and laser engraving machines and embossing presses for leathercraft training.

In terms of activities, the centre has established several floor curling and running teams comprising service users, family members and community volunteers. Through regular training, competitions and exchange activities, participants strengthen their engagement with the community, enhance mutual understanding and foster social inclusion.

Health is one of the key impact programmes of the Club’s Charities Trust. Since 2012, the Club has donated close to HK$800 million to modernise 34 integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres, benefiting more than 6,000 service users. Looking ahead, the Club will continue to foster cross-sector collaboration and drive innovation to develop timely and diversified initiatives that support different communities, enhance quality of life, and promote a caring and inclusive society.

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club Health Support Project for Persons with Disabilities and Jockey Club The Nexus Point for Rehab, like all of 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.