Annual District Highlights
District Highlights 2024-25
Providing Support for Frail Elderly, Persons with Disabilities, and their Carers
In support of the “Care the Carers Campaign”, the District Social Welfare Office (DSWO) organised 19 stress-relief programmes and service expos for carers, attracting approximately 500 participants. In collaboration with 18 social welfare service units, the DSWO also held a signature event, “A Chill and Leisurely Day (Chill自悠的一天)” , on 23 November 2024. With the continued support of the MTR Corporation Limited, participants were transported to the Youth College (Tin Shui Wai) on the day of the event by designated shuttle buses. Over 500 participants enjoyed a relaxing day, taking part in a variety of special activities. Moreover, over 50 shops joined the “Yuen Long District Carer-Friendly Merchant Scheme”, offering exclusive discounts and benefits to carers in the district.
To promote respite services for the elderly and persons with disabilities (PWDs), 15 elderly/rehabilitation service units in the district organised 46 activities (including centre visits, informational talks on respite services, and tasting programmes of day/residential respite services for PWDs), attracting 1 335 participants in total.
Caring for Rural Communities, Deepening Urban-Rural Collaboration
The DSWO strengthened its collaboration with six Rural Committees this year through the “Six Rural Collaboration Platform”, tailoring welfare services for elderly persons in rural areas, and expanding service coverage to include integrated family services and mental health services. The DSWO also matched non-governmental welfare service units with each Rural Committee, and launched the “Yuen Long District Care Action for Rural Areas” to organise a broader range of activities. In addition, the DSWO continued to implement the “Love and Care Escort Service Scheme” in partnership with local charitable organisations, subsidising frail and financially disadvantaged elderly persons’ taxi rides to and from hospitals or clinics, thus encouraging them to attend follow-up appointments. The scheme has benefited nearly 4 000 participants to date.
Mobilising Tripartite Collaboration among Government, Business, and Community to Develop the Potential of Young People
The DSWO played an active role in facilitating tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector, and the community to implement the “Unleash Youth Potential Project”. In this regard, the Yuen Long Merchants Association and the Hong Kong Love and Care Charity Foundation Limited jointly sponsored two outreach teams serving young night drifters in the district. The teams organised a variety of healthy recreational activities, including basketball and volleyball training, for marginalised youth at the venue of the Yuen Long District Sports Association Limited. Through the intervention and counselling of social workers, the project helped participants develop structured lifestyles and teamwork skills, while reducing their exposure to undesirable street influences. The project was well received by teenagers, benefiting approximately 500 youth participants.