Jockey Club helps retirees live a fuller life

04/15/2012

Retirement is an important turning point which requires early preparation. There are about 60,000 employees reaching their retirement age every year in Hong Kong.  In a bid to help them adapt to retirement life, CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors has collaborated with the Hong Kong Christian Service (HKCS) and The University of Hong Kong (HKU) to launch a two-year community project, entitled Active Interest Mentorship Scheme (AIMS).

Today (15 April), the Club’s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So joined Elderly Commission Chairman Professor Alfred Chan, Social Welfare Department Assistant Director (Elderly) Cecilla Li, CADENZA Project Director Professor Jean Woo, HKCS Chief Executive Suen Lai Sang and HKU Head of Department of Social Work and Social Administration Dr Sandra Tsang at the CADENZA AIMS Launch Ceremony and First Expo at East Point City in Tseung Kwan O.

Mr So told the audience that the Club successfully launched the “Mentorship Scheme for Retirement Preparation” through CADENZA, HKCS and HKU in 2009 to help participants develop active interests.  Since its launch, the team had received positive feedbacks and overwhelming support from the companies and participants.  Such success convinced the Club to support AIMS for two years so as to benefit more retirees.

A CADENZA survey shows that people with active interests are more adaptable to retirement and a balanced life.  Someone with active interests is a player rather than an observer, such as producing videos and joining drama groups.  As one of the public education programmes, the Expo provides a range of interest classes and activities covering eight areas of active interests, including arts, physical health, and charity.  It also serves as a platform to let the public have a better understanding of active interests for positive ageing.

In addition, AIMS has trained retirees as mentors to assist the soon-to-retire in developing active interests for better well-being after retirement.  It also provides training to social service and human resources management professionals to prepare their staff for retirement and to launch mentorship programmes in their organisations.

CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors is a project launched by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with a donation of HK$380 million in 2006.  The project aims at nurturing academic leadership in gerontology and changing the mindset and attitude of the general public through a range of training and public education programmes.  Cross-sectional collaboration between organisations and the implementation of innovative elderly services and programmes are also encouraged in order to bring about a new mode of elderly care services to prepare for a rapidly ageing society.  Details of CADENZA are available at www.cadenza.hk.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.6 billion in 2011. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$15 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.

Attachment:

Details of CADENZA Community Project: Active Interest Mentorship Scheme (available in Chinese only)