The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (September 25) held the Kick-off Ceremony for the Care the Carers Campaign to mark the official launch of the three-year territory-wide publicity campaign which aims to recognise carers' contributions, promote messages of caring for the carers and appeal to the community to show their support.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, officiated at the ceremony with the President of the Legislative Council, Mr Andrew Leung; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Ms Alice Lau; the Director of Social Welfare, Miss Charmaine Lee; the Chairman of the Elderly Commission, Dr Donald Li; the Chairman of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, Mr Fung Pak-yan; and the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health, Mr Wong Yan-lung, SC. The ceremony was attended by an audience of more than 800, including government officials; Legislative Council members; representatives from advisory committees, non-governmental organisations, self-help/district organisations, property management companies as well as elderly persons, persons with disabilities and their carers, to demonstrate the high respect and strong support for carers from different sectors of the community.

     Addressing the ceremony, Mr Chan expressed heartfelt gratitude to all carers over the territory on behalf of the Government. He said that the Government will continue to better support and assist carers through measures including enhanced support, strengthened respite services and stronger financial assistance. He hoped that all members in the community, including those from the business sector, local organisations to the general public, would continue to collaborate with the Government to enhance support for carers and implement the spirit of the Care the Carers Campaign.

     He also announced in the ceremony that, to thank carers for their efforts and contributions and to echo with the "Happy Hong Kong" Campaign, the SWD will organise the Say Thank You to Carers event which will distribute a total of 10 000 Ocean Park admission tickets to carers of elderly persons and persons with disabilities through elderly and rehabilitation service units starting from the end of this month.

     The 24-hour Designated Hotline for Carer Support 182 183 will commence operation from midnight tomorrow (September 26). Commissioned by the SWD, the hotline, with 30 lines answered by professional social workers, will be operated by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) with service capacity adjustable upward when necessary. When introducing the hotline at the ceremony, Miss Lee said that professional social workers will conduct instant assessments on the callers' conditions and needs. Various community resources on carer support will be provided to those in need, while referrals will be made to match carers with appropriate services. Outreaching visits will also be arranged for cases with urgent needs. She hoped that the hotline will alleviate carers' pressure with the provision of timely support. In addition, representatives of TWGHs demonstrated how the hotline operates with carers at the ceremony.

     At the ceremony, a representative of the Hong Kong Shue Yan University briefed the audience on the Information Gateway for Carers to be launched in November this year, which will assist carers to obtain comprehensive and updated information. A representative of a property management company participating in the Support for Carers Project also shared her experience. The Project will be extended to cover persons with disabilities and their carers in need starting from next month so that property management workers can better utilise community resources to support carers of both elderly persons and persons with disabilities. The SWD appealed to the property management sector's continual support to the enhanced Project.

     With the launch of the Care the Carers Campaign, a series titled "The Stories of the Carers", jointly produced by the SWD and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) will be broadcast on TVB channel 81 (at 9am, 12.55pm and 7.30pm) and channel 83 (at 10.40am, 1.55pm, 9.10pm and 1.10am) for five consecutive days starting from today to raise the public awareness on carers. The SWD will also roll out a new set of TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest together with a series of promotional activities tomorrow to call on public support for carers and a carer-friendly community.

Ends/Monday, September 25, 2023
Issued at HKT 18:55

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