Corporate News

More appreciation, less criticism helps enhance family health, happiness and harmony

10/27/2012

With a view to promoting further the message of family health, happiness and harmony (the 3Hs), a new programme is being launched under the “FAMILY: A Jockey Club Initiative for a Harmonious Society” project entitled More Appreciation & Less Criticism, to complement its successful musical and “happy kitchen” programmes.

Organised in collaboration with Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) and the School of Public Health of The University of Hong Kong, the project is aimed at encouraging people to be more appreciative and less critical of family members as well as eating healthily, thereby enhancing overall family health, harmony and happiness.  

Today (27 October), the Club’s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So joined Permanent Secretary for Education Cherry Tse, TWGHs Chairman Viola Chan, 5th Vice-Chairman Katherine Ma and FAMILY Project Principal Investigator Professor T H Lam to officiate at the launch ceremony at a fun day for families.

Noting that parents in the Chinese community often tended to blame their children for their wrong doing, but seldom expressed appreciation for their good work, Mr So said, “parents who sing the praises of their children can enhance their self-confidence and improve the parent-child relationship.  I hope the public can learn more techniques and express appreciation to their family members more often, so as to increase family communication and harmony.”

Over the 14 months of the programme, the More Appreciation & Less Criticism project team will recruit 1,000 parents from various districts through schools, youth centres, integrated family centres and other local community groups. 

The interactive programmes are designed to improve the parents’ communication skills through role play, small group discussions, goal-setting and planning.  Parents are required to adopt the practices at home and report on progress.  In addition, participants need to complete questionnaires during the programme so as to assess the effectiveness of changes in relationships between family members.

The other ongoing FAMILY projects include 3Hs Family Drama, an innovative interactive musical created by a group of talented youngsters and their families to promote positive messages on harmonious families.  Following its premiere staged earlier this month, the musical will be brought to 100 primary schools across the city to spread these messages further.  Happy Family Kitchen, meanwhile, is being extended to Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing following its success in Yuen Long District to encourage residents to treasure cooking and dining time with their family members as a means to enhance communication. 

FAMILY: A Jockey Club Initiative for a Harmonious Society is a citywide project launched by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with HK$250 million funding, in collaboration with the School of Public Health of The University of Hong Kong.  The project aims to identify the sources of family problems, devise suitable preventive measures and promote the “3Hs” through a citywide household survey, intervention projects and public education programmes.  Further details of FAMILY are available at www.family.org.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$1.7 billion in 2012. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$16 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.

The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So says the public can learn more techniques and express appreciation to their family members more often, so as to increase family communication and harmony.
The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So says the public can learn more techniques and express appreciation to their family members more often, so as to increase family communication and harmony.

The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (2nd right) joins Permanent Secretary for Education Cherry Tse (centre), TWGHs Chairman Viola Chan (2nd left), 5th Vice-Chairman Katherine Ma (1st left) and FAMILY Project Principal Investigator Professor T H Lam (1st right) to officiate at the launch ceremony of More Appreciation & Less Criticism at a fun family day.
The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (2nd right) joins Permanent Secretary for Education Cherry Tse (centre), TWGHs Chairman Viola Chan (2nd left), 5th Vice-Chairman Katherine Ma (1st left) and FAMILY Project Principal Investigator Professor T H Lam (1st right) to officiate at the launch ceremony of More Appreciation & Less Criticism at a fun family day.

The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (centre) receives a souvenir from TWGHs Chairman Viola Chan (right) and 5th Vice-Chairman Katherine Ma (left).
The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (centre) receives a souvenir from TWGHs Chairman Viola Chan (right) and 5th Vice-Chairman Katherine Ma (left).

The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (1st right) and Permanent Secretary for Education Cherry Tse (1st left) pictured with celebrity Coleman Tam (2nd right) and his mother (2nd left).  Coleman and his mother share their experiences when communicating with the technique of more appreciation and less criticism.
The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (1st right) and Permanent Secretary for Education Cherry Tse (1st left) pictured with celebrity Coleman Tam (2nd right) and his mother (2nd left). Coleman and his mother share their experiences when communicating with the technique of more appreciation and less criticism.

Group photo.
Group photo.

Photos 6/7/8: Game booths and performances at the fun day.
Photos 6/7/8: Game booths and performances at the fun day.



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