New HKJC Telebet cum Volunteers and Training Centre extends community services in Tin Shui Wai

20 April 2009

The Hong Kong Jockey Club today opened phase one of its Tin Shui Wai Telebet cum Volunteers and Training Centre, further underlining its dedication and commitment to serving the people of Hong Kong.  With the aim of promoting community care and improving the quality of life of Tin Shui Wai residents, the Centre will provide volunteer and training services, as well as increase employment opportunities in the district. The Centre will officially come into operation in mid-May.

Club Chairman John Chan said, "Despite the fact that Hong Kong is facing difficult challenges under the current global economic downturn, the Club is determined to uphold its commitment to Hong Kong society."

Located in the Tin Heng Estate Car Park Block, the Centre will create 2,500 employment opportunities in two phases, with the first phase offering 1,000 job opportunities. The Club will incorporate into the Centre its Wholesome Human Resources Development Programme for the new workforce and Tin Shui Wai residents.  This programme is aimed at improving the motivation, vocational skills and knowledge of participants by offering training in self-management, emotional quotient, interpersonal communication and interview skills, workplace English, Putonghua and Cantonese foundation courses, basic computer training and so forth.   It is expected the programme will help trainees to maintain healthy and balanced lives, as well as teach them ways to handle stress and methods to maintain harmonious interpersonal and family relationships. This will not only boost the skills of the new workforce and local residents, but also raise the overall quality of Hong Kong's human resources.

The volunteer and training section of the Centre will serve as a base for the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team in Tin Shui Wai.  It includes a multi-purpose room, a computer-training room, a conference room and interview rooms that will provide a wide range of activities, training and services to Tin Shui Wai residents.  The Volunteer Team will specially develop tailor-made services to meet the community needs as required.

To further facilitate the development of community services, the Centre's facilities are available for use by non-profit organisations for two days a week. This enables the Club to fulfill its commitment to serving the community in collaboration with district partners.

Over the last year, the Volunteer Team has provided a range of voluntary services in Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long, such as a Chinese New Year Lunch for the elderly living alone, a Mother's Day Carnival and a programme of visits to elderly people living alone in remote areas.  The team has also held a series of workshops for young people on the theme of "Antiquities and Monuments", through which the participants have learnt about the interesting antiquities and the importance of voluntary services. Some participants then proactively formed teams to help with the district-based services of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team.

"We encourage the beneficiaries to draw on their own experience to help other needy people in the district. In this way, the centre will sow the seeds of voluntary service in the district," Mr Chan said. "The volunteer team is extending its community services to Tung Chung and Sham Shui Po and we hope that through this process of turning the beneficiaries into volunteers, we will be able to provide services to every corner of the city and ultimately help build a caring society."

Chief Secretary for Administration Mr Henry Tang said the Club's decision to establish the centre in Tin Shui Wai was a meaningful decision and the HKSAR Government highly valued the many contributions The Hong Kong Jockey Club makes to Hong Kong society.  "The Club's not-for-profit business model is unique in the world and it has made tremendous contributions to Hong Kong by stabilising the Government's tax revenues, providing significant job opportunities to the general public and making huge donations to charitable causes," Mr Tang said.

Mr Chan also noted that the Club's vision and mission are based on its commitment to serving Hong Kong.  "Our surpluses all go back to society through tax payments and charitable donations. The Club's betting duty and profits tax, as well as its annual charitable donations amounting to HK$1 billion, are important in stabilising the Government's tax revenues, maintaining social harmony and facilitating Hong Kong's overall development.

"The Club provides nearly 25,000 full-time and part-time employment opportunities and offers its staff various training that enhances the overall quality of Hong Kong's human resources. Over the years, we have adhered to our mission to help the people of Hong Kong through difficult times," he said.