Annual District Highlights

District Highlights 2024-25

Strengthening Cross-Sector Collaboration to Build a Caring Community

The District Social Welfare Office (DSWO), in collaboration with 42 social service units from various sectors in the district, continued to implement its flagship project “Our Neighbourhood@Kwun Tong”, organising a variety of activities/programmes in six small localities to foster community cohesion and strengthen the volunteer network. The project provided support to family carers, including parents of children and adolescents, as well as carers of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and the elderly, benefiting over 6 000 people. Besides, the DSWO organised the “2024 Kwun Tong District Volunteer Training and Award Presentation Ceremony” on 23 November 2024, which included training sessions for project volunteers, as well as members/volunteers of the Care Teams in the district. The ceremony also honoured over 120 volunteers, acknowledging their remarkable efforts and contributions to building a mutually supportive and caring community.

Focusing on the Mental Well-Being of Young People and Assisting in Career Planning

The DSWO, in collaboration with 13 youth service units in the district, organised a school-based mental health project by running various groups/programmes for 33 secondary schools, with the aim of promoting positive thinking and enhance resilience among students. The DSWO and service units also jointly organised the “Spiritual Journey” and “Rhythm of Acceptance”, two mental health publicity projects, with a view to strengthening mental health education in the community and raising public awareness. Besides, to enhance young people's self-awareness and assist them in career planning, the DSWO partnered with seven service units and local organisations to implement the “Developing Their Career Path” Project. In total, these initiatives benefited over 16 600 people.

Connecting Community Resources to Support and Care for Elderly Persons, Persons with Disabilities, and their Carers

In support of the “Care the Carers Campaign”, the DSWO partnered with major elderly and rehabilitation service units in the district to launch the “‘Together in Care ’ - Carers’ Companion Commendation Ceremony” on 26 October 2024. The event aimed to express appreciation to local stakeholders, including volunteers, neighbours, businesses and enterprises, for their support of carers. A collection of carers’ stories was also produced to promote a carer-friendly community and advocate the message of standing in solidarity with carers. Over 6 400 people participated in the event. In addition, a district resource map and calendar card introducing local elderly and rehabilitation services were designed and widely distributed to residents in the community. These promotional materials helped carers of elderly persons and PWDs gain better access to support services and information.
The DSWO, in collaboration with elderly service units in the district, implemented nine carer-focused support programmes, including stress relief workshops, mutual support groups, volunteer training sessions on the provision of community respite services, and family activities. These programmes encouraged carers to prioritise their mental and physical well-being, provided them with much-needed respite opportunities, and promoted stronger family relationships. Over 2 000 individuals participated in and benefited from these programmes.
To strengthen support for singleton and doubleton elderly households, and families of PWDs, the DSWO coordinated and subsidisd elderly centres, District Support Centres for Persons with Disabilities, and Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness to implement seven district-wide support programmes. These programmes aimed to enhance the support networks for elderly persons and PWD, identify hidden elderly persons and their carers, and encourage them to actively engage with the community. A total of 45 programme activities were held, involving about 360 volunteers and benefiting nearly 5 000 elderly persons, PWDs, and their carers.