Enhance the Ability of Self Reliance for Mental Challenged People

The ability of mentally challenged people is lower than the normal intellectual capacity. If they strive to learn, they can develop their potentials and integrate into the community. It is crucial to solicit support from parents, family members and the social welfare agencies which provides professional services for mentally challenged people. Can the business sector contribute to help mentally challenged people? The Hong Kong Council of Social Service arranged the representatives of the Caring Companies to visit two rehabilitative agencies in Tuen Mun on 1 June 2007. The objective of the visit was to further the participants’ understanding of services provided by rehabilitative organisations so as to inspire them with more ideas of collaborations between the business and social service sectors.

The participants visited the Fu Hong Society Shan King Adult Training Centre first. The Centre was situated in Shan King Estate in Tuen Mun. They provided various specially designed small group training for moderate to severe grade of mentally challenged people. Training services include self-care, social skills, recreational activities, vocational skills, art, multi-media training, family support and other community services to enhance the living skills and to develop the potentials of mentally challenged people. On the day of the visit, the participants paid visit to the training room for the autistic people and the multi-sensory room services and the group training activities. They found that the training services were designed according to the individual needs of the service users. The Centre also arranged mentally challenged people to demonstrate handicraft making and appreciate their percussion music performance. The performance showcased their music talent.

Participants visited the next social service agency at Tsing Lun Road in Tuen Mun, namely u0022Rainbow Rendezvousu0022. The project was operated by The Parents’ Association of Pre-school Handicapped Children (PAPHC). PAPHC is a self-help organisation formed by a group of parents with children in disability. u0022Rainbow Rendezvousu0022 was a special project to provide supportive services like after school care service for the mentally challenged children, training and support services for parents, interest classes and hostel services.

Participants enjoyed the refreshments prepared by the trainees and parents. We should mention that the Association also provides hostel facilities rental services. Companies can consider booking the hostel services. As the Association heavily relies on the public donation, the booking charges will go to help subsidize the operation cost of the Association.

Photo Album

Members with mental challenge of Fu Hong Society demonstrated handicraft making.

Fu Hong Percussion Music Team which is organised by the mentally challenged gave a demonstration for the participants.

Participants were greeted by the youth with mental challenge of the Parents’ Association of Pre-school Handicapped Children.