New Life E-Newsletter March 2023
"Mental Health Symposium” Finished On A High Note
Over 1,300 Participants Gathered To Explore Change And Challenge For Mental Health Well-being
New Life successfully held the "Mental Health Symposium” and unveiled research findings of its new mental health index "330 Well-Being Index" from 15 to 17 March. Themed "Change and Challenge: From Recovery to Holistic Well-being”, the symposium gathered government officials, domain experts and interested parties from local and abroad to discuss and explore seven major themes concerning mental health development through 16 sessions. The themes included: 1) Overview and Prospect of the Recovery Model; 2) Peer Support; 3) Trauma-informed Care; 4) Mental Health in Community; 5) Vocational Training; 6) Deinstitutionalization; and 7) The Latest Development in Mental Health Service.
The symposium brought together over 1,300 participants, most joining online, to exchange thoughts and insights regarding various mental health-related issues. New Life would like to offer its deepest gratitude to all speakers, moderators, guests and participants for their support and assistance that have drawn to a successful conclusion of the event.
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New Life’s Annual Dinner
New Life held its Annual Dinner in the evening on 17 March, after the conclusion of the "Mental Health Symposium”, with the Guest of Honour, Mr. Chris SUN Yuk-han, JP, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of Government of the HKSAR. As the epidemic fades, New Life was grateful to host its Annual Dinner and welcome over 180 guests from the government, medical sector, social welfare sector, business sector, professionals and academia, and New Life’s members and staff.
New Life Launched "330 Well-being Index" Findings And Self-assessment Tool
New Life has been proactively fostering public awareness of enhancing holistic well-being, through various mental health-related activities in the community. During the Mental Health Symposium, New Life launched the "330 Well-being Index" and its relevant findings, with a round-table forum for cross-sector discussion.
In 2017, NLPRA collaborated with Professor Winnie Wing-sze MAK from the Department of Psychology of The Chinese University of Hong Kong to research and develop an assessment tool for physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being - the "Comprehensive Well-Being Scale” (Sham, Yeung, Mak & Powell, 2021). Data were collected from people in recovery of mental illness for the study and used to validate the effectiveness of the scale. The relevant research findings were published in the international academic journal "BMC Psychology" in 2021.
Recently, New Life and Professor Patrick Wing-leung LEUNG, Director of Graduate Studies in Clinical Psychology of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, have conducted subsequent studies on the "Comprehensive Well-Being Scale" (CWBS).
"[330] Well-Being Index” assessment website has been launched﹕https://wellbeingindex.dayday330.hk
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Autistic Artist Lo Yip-nang Featured In RTHK’s TV PRogramme "Wallless World”
Autistic Artist Lo Yip-nang has recently been interviewed by RTHK’s latest TV series, "Wallless World”. This is the second interview Yip-nang has had with the same programme since his first one in 2011.
Yip-nang has been taking vocational rehabilitation services at New Life’s Sheltered Workshop since 2005. Yip-nang’s first touch with clay art uncovered his talent in this regard. The two episodes of the TV programme trace Yip-nang’s journey of clay art creation and feature his change and growth - from a clay artist to a Youtuber hoping to bring clay art to a wider audience; and from an isolated individual to an engaging person who would dare to step out of comfort zone and try to interact with family members and mentors.
Visit the below links for the episodes:
Wallless World
Part 1: Clay art is my language
Part 2: Taking steps with peace
New Life Building Sheltered Workshop Joined "Come Chill In Sham Shui Po”
New Life Building Sheltered Workshop joined the "Come Chill In Sham Shui Po” event, organised by Sham Shui Po District Office and Shamshuipo Kaifong Welfare Association in Ki Lung Street on 19 March. Products and artwork from trainees of gift330 and clay art pieces were showcased. Autistic Artist Lo Yip-nang demonstrated clay art creation at the event. New Life’s Wellness Centre (Sham Shui Po) was another participant at the event as the centre showcased the recycled bottle lid-made items made by its members.
The event received tremendous support from community residents and other visitors, who showed huge interest in Yip-nang’s creation. The event concluded in fly colour and became a hot photo spot for the visitors.
so330 Awarded the"Excellence in Living Smart Awards 2023”
so330 was honoured to be awarded the卓越服務大獎 (Social Enterprise & Green category) in the "Excellence in Living Smart Awards 2023”. The award was organised by Mingpao.com in recognition of outstanding achievement in providing excellent services and innovative products to the customers, improving the quality of life. The award ceremony was held on 2 March 2023.
The Wellness Center Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony cum Children’s "330” Well-being Tour
New Life Held a Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony cum Children's 330 Well-being Tour on 25 February. The event was officiated by Miss Lilian CHEUNG Jick-man, District Social Welfare Officer (Kowloon City / Yau Tsim Mong), along with other guests, including Mr Franky LAU Ka-man, Senior Liaison Officer of Home Affairs Department and Dr Eric YAN, Clinical Stream Coordinator (Mental Health) of Kowloon Central Cluster of Hospital Authority. In addition, two families and their children were invited to share experiences on children’s body, mind and spirit well-being.
A total of 93 volunteers received recognition at the event, which attracted over 500 participants for the ceremony and other activities, including a performance conducted by Hong Kong Free Style Kendama Association.
Collaboration With Fortress Hill Methodist Secondary School
iSPA-Support Center for Persons with Autism joined hands with Fortress Hill Methodist Secondary School to organise the "Bus Talking Room” event on 25 February. A member from the iSPA-Support Center for Persons with Autism was arranged to assist in different bus-themed activities due to his knowledge of local buses. This member was able to join other participants in talking about various topics about buses, visiting the bus classroom and MTR classroom and experiencing the bus driving simulation game.
Kwai Shing Sheltered Workshop: ECF Food Sharing Project
Education Visits
Apart from distributing food to people in need, promoting food waste reduction is one of the key initiatives of the ECF Food Sharing Project at Kwai Shing Sheltered Workshop. On 8 February, a visit to New Life Farm was arranged for members of the project to learn about the agricultural cycle and organic farming firsthand. Participants were also able to observe the operation of the kitchen waste processor, which turns food waste into compost for the farm. The working team at New Life team further introduced other concepts regarding environmental conservation, including the "cradle to cradle” approach to enhance participants’ awareness of waste recycling.
Seminar On Food Safety And Food Waste Reduction
A public seminar was held by ECF Food Sharing Project specifically for the communities in Kwai Tsing and Tsuen Wan districts on food safety and food waste reduction on 2 February. Our project staff illustrated the potential risk in food safety and shared some of the best practices on food storage that help reduce food spoilage and waste.
To learn more about donation and corporate partnership with New Life, please contact our Corporate Affairs Department (corporate-affairs@nlpra.org.hk / 2332 4343)