Beneficiaries Share

Xiao Zhen has lived in Garden Estate for over 40 years and now lives alone. During the pandemic and with declining hearing, her social circle became increasingly limited.

After joining the “Intergenerational Gathering Hub”, she reconnected with neighbours, stayed active, and formed new friendships. She also gained clearer information about the estate’s redevelopment through programme briefings, which eased her worries. By contributing old family photos now displayed in the “Garden Memories Gallery”, she has helped preserve the estate’s shared history.

Xiao Zhen

Thank you for your support over the past year. With your assistance, our daughter has shown significant improvement in both her learning and emotional regulation. Your professional advice has helped us better understand her needs and how to respond to her effectively. Today, our family atmosphere is much more harmonious, and we all feel the support and love we share. Thank you again for your selfless dedication, which has truly made our lives better.

University Student:

I feel that this programme has helped me a lot. Over the past six months, I have worked through many thoughts and learned not to blame myself or catastrophise things. I am truly grateful to all of you for being there for me during difficult moments. For a long time, I couldn’t find anyone who would really listen to me—thank you for listening. Without your support, I don’t think I would have made it to where I am today.

Parent of a Primary 2 Student:

We are very grateful to have joined this programme, which has helped my husband and me gain a deeper understanding of ADHD.

We appreciate how the programme offers practical, multi‑dimensional solutions for both parents and children across daily life and learning situations. The sessions are rich yet closely connected to real‑life experiences, providing useful parenting strategies. We are especially thankful to the centre staff for their attentive follow‑up, patience in answering our questions, and practical, experience‑based advice, which has positively influenced our consideration of our son’s next treatment steps.

Through a neighbour’s introduction, I joined the Kwun Tong Community Rest Stop · Community Living Room Service and actively participate in activities such as caregiver respite, the community kitchen and stress‑relief programmes. These activities allow me to relax and feel mutual support among fellow child caregivers.

Since joining, my accumulated stress has eased. My two children also enjoy the children’s play area, where they can play freely in a spacious environment and grow more confident and outgoing. Located within a 10‑minute walk from my home, the Community Rest Stop makes participation easy and effectively extends our small living space into the wider community.

 

My family faced major challenges when my husband left and my son was diagnosed with autism. I felt overwhelmed and helpless. Through the “Little Jumping Beans” counselling service, I learned to express my emotions and communicate with my children more positively, which helped rebuild our relationship and my confidence as a mother. With the support of the counsellor and staff, I realised I am not alone and hope to help other families in need one day.

I have two children with SEN and used to struggle with frequent conflicts due to a strict parenting style that no longer worked as they grew older. After joining the parenting workshop “Chill More, Less SEN Stress”, I learned to better understand my children’s feelings and strengths, and to adopt a more suitable parenting approach, which improved our relationship.

I also joined a parent support group where I met others facing similar challenges, found time to relax, and gained encouragement and confidence in handling daily life.

Established in 2021, the Kowloon East Community Life‑and‑Death Education Alliance brings together social service organisations committed to promoting life‑and‑death education in the community. By encouraging open conversations about death and advocating early planning for later life and end‑of‑life matters with a positive mindset, the Alliance works collaboratively to deliver diverse education activities and create greater collective impact—empowering the public to take charge of their lives and plan ahead for a more fulfilling journey.

 

Fai Sir, a Floor Curling Golden‑Age Volunteer Mentor, shared that before retirement, he worried about how to spend his increased free time. After being introduced to floor curling, he became a coach and later a volunteer mentor at a seniors centre. Through volunteering, he uses his skills to serve older adults while gaining a strong sense of achievement and confidence. He also discovered that seniors are energetic and vibrant, and interacting with them makes him feel younger. He believes senior centres provide diverse opportunities for older adults to learn new things, set new goals, and add colour to their lives.

Ya‑Yu, who lives in a subdivided flat with her grandmother due to family difficulties, faced heavy financial pressure from tuition fees, rent, and medical expenses. After being referred to our Centre, she received food assistance and support from our social workers. Thanks to generous donations, her grandmother underwent eye surgery and Ya‑Yu was able to complete her studies. Today, Ya‑Yu has graduated and found her ideal job as a flight attendant, bringing hope and stability to their lives.