Jockey Club funds new centre to help ex-mentally ill reintegrate in society

02/07/2015

In its latest initiative to provide social rehabilitation services to help former mental patients integrate into the community, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has funded The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong (MHA) to renovate and fit out an Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness in Tai Po.

MHA Jockey Club Amity Place (Tai Po) was opened today (7 February) by Club Steward Dr Eric Li Ka Cheung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung, Assistant Director for Social Welfare Department (Rehabilitation and Medical Social Services) Fong Kai-leung, and Honorary Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong Dr Flora Ko.

This latest Club donation of some HK$13 million to the MHA also covered renovation of a similar centre in Kwun Tong.

Speaking at the opening, Dr Li praised the Mental Health Association for its outstanding support for the mentally-ill and in raising public awareness of mental health, which has been greatly improved with the help of government policy initiatives. “We hope MHA Jockey Club Amity Place in Tai Po and in Kwun Tong will serve more people and safeguard mental wellness within the community.”

Covering a total floor area of 380 square metres at Kwong Fuk Estate, the renovated MHA Jockey Club Amity Place (Tai Po) provides more space for one-stop mental health support services, including counselling, therapeutic and supportive groups, and outreach occupational therapy services to promote social inclusion.  It is expected to serve over 290,000 residents in Tai Po. 

Complementing Amity Place is the adjacent Jockey Club Sunny Place, an alternative residential care apartment for ex-mentally ill people which the Club funded with a $39 million donation to MHA. In addition, the Trust has been supporting The University of Hong Kong’s Psychiatry Department to lead a six-year Jockey Club Early Psychosis Project initiative in collaboration with NGOs including MHA to identify patients with early psychosis for timely treatment, so as to promote public awareness of mental wellness.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club 
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2013/14, its donations reached a record $3.6 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,275 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$19.58 billion in 2013/14. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,800 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong. Please visit 130.hkjc.com.