New Life E-Newsletter March 2025
Siu Lam Integrated Rehabilitation Services Complex Officially Opened
On 28 February, the Siu Lam Integrated Rehabilitation Services Complex held its opening ceremony, marking the official commencement of its services. The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Mr. CHAN Kwok-ki, GBS, IDSM, JP, Secretary for Administration, who officiated as the Guest of Honour. He was accompanied by Mr. Chris SUN, JP, Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Ms. Alice LAU, JP, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare; and Mr. Gordon LEUNG, JP, Director of Social Welfare, to host the unveiling ceremony of the complex.
In attendance were Professor Fanny CHEUNG Mui-ching, SBS, OBE, JP, New Life’s President, Dr. Chris WONG Kwok Yiu, New Life’s Vice President, Professor Annie TAM Kam-lan, GBS, JP, Chairperson of the Executive Committee of New Life; Mr. AU Choi-kai, SBS and Mr. Franki YEUNG Kai-yu, members of the Expert Advisory Group on Siu Lam Long Stay Care Home Project and Special Scheme on Privately Owned Sites for Welfare Uses; representatives from the Association’s Sub-Committees, and Mr. Thomas CHU Sai-ming, New Life’s CEO.
Operated by New Life, the Siu Lam Long Stay Care Home can accommodate 400 persons in recovery. After the ceremony, guests were given a tour of the facility and its residential amenities, which were built to provide a safe and comfortable living environment for service users. The facility offers diverse rehabilitation programmes to support users with disabilities in developing their intellectual, physical, and social adaptation skills, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.
2025 Spring Banquet
On 7 March, New Life held its annual Spring Banquet, themed "The Auspicious Serpent Welcomes the Spring". The event brought together members of the Association’s Executive Committee and Sub-Committees, along with around a thousand service users and their families, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere.
The evening’s festivities included a traditional lion dance performance, officiated by New Life’s Patron, the Hon. HO Sai-chu, GBM, GBS, JP, President, Professor Fanny CHEUNG Mui-ching, SBS, OBE, JP, and Chairperson of the Executive Committee, Professor Annie TAM Kam-lan, GBS, JP, with the ceremonial "eye-dotting" and "flower-pinning" rituals. The Association’s service users showcased their talents through a series of heartwarming performances, further enhancing the festive spirit of the occasion.
Sharing Technology Application Experience At Greater Bay Area Industry Seminar
New Life was invited by Macau Fu Hong Society to attend the seminar themed "Technology-Enabled Social Services: Innovation, Integration, and Practice", held on 27th of february at the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park Scientific Research Headquarters Building.
Mr. WONG Chin-keung, New Life’s Social Work Supervisor shared insights on how the "Jockey Club Collaborative Project for Inclusive Employment" utilises virtual reality technology to enhance vocational skills training for SEN youth and tertiary students.
Mr. Thomas CHU Sai-ming,CEO of New Life also attended the seminar.The seminar was also attended by other New Life staff, including Ms. Chris WONG Kar-hing (second from right),Head of Professional Services (Vocational Rehabilitation, Employment Services and Autism Spectrum Disorder Services), Mr. WONG Chin-keung, New Life’s Social Work Supervisor(first from right),Mr. Kevin SIN Ka-keung (first from left),Jockey Club Sun Workshop Manager and Mr. Tim Lam (second from left), Social Welfare Supervisor. They exchanged knowledge with over 200 professionals from mainland China and Macau, including healthcare and rehabilitation scholars, and industry experts, exploring how technology can improve employment support and sustainable social services.
Through cross-regional collaboration and experience-sharing, New Life looks forward to working with industry partners to drive innovative solutions and take a step forward towards building an inclusive workplace.
dayday330 x MTR Central Station – ‘THE COMMEOWNITY’ Feline Store Managers Heartening Photography Exhibition
dayday330, a public awareness campaign on mental wellbeing by New Life, joined hands with the MTR to launch three gratitude cards as part of the "THE COMMEOWNITY" exhibition in March. Chairperson of the Executive Committee of New Life, Professor Annie TAM Kam-lan, GBS, JP, (first from left) attended the opening ceremony of the Exhibition at the MTR Art Gallery near Exit J of Central Station. She encouraged the public to appreciate art, experience the healing power of animals, and discover life’s little joys through the exhibition.
The gratitude cards feature the adorable feline store managers and heartwarming positive phrases, offering positive energy to all. The exhibition design incorporates elements of local neighbourhood shops, celebrating traditional community charm. Passengers are invited to visit the exhibition and gallery during their MTR journey to enjoy a "330 micro break".
Launching SENart Project Experience Sharing Booklet
On 14 March, New Life hosted a launch event for an experience sharing booklet regarding the Inclusive Drama & Art Programme for Youths with Special Educational Needs (SENart project), marking the culmination of this two-year initiative that supports children and young people with Special Educational Needs through expressive arts therapy.
Nearly 100 professionals from Hong Kong and mainland China attended the event to review the project’s outcomes and exchange insights on how expressive arts therapies aid SEN students’ development.
Over the past two years, the project successfully embedded arts therapy into school-based support, helping students explore identity through creative expression and build confidence and peer connections. The results indicated significant progress in uplifting students’ mental health, emotional regulation and self-advocacy.
The newly released booklet compiles the project’s core beliefs, clinical case studies and student stories to foster greater professional exchange. This resource also aims to provide solid reference material for practitioners as they seek to expand developmental opportunities for SEN students.
Partnership With TamJai International On Eco-Friendly Upcycling Initiative
Mr. Thomas CHU Sai-ming (fourth from left), CEO of New Life attended the launch ceremony of TamJai International’s latest food waste upcycling project.
Mr. Daren LAU, Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of TamJai International (first from left), signed up as asupporting organisation for the dayday330 charter at the ceremony.
The Association has joined forces with TamJai International, the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, and the Hong Kong Design Institute for this innovative upcycling initiative. The project involves the production and packaging by persons in recovery. Three upcycled products will be launched, including Lemon-infused Lip Balms, Lemongrass & Lemon Scented Candles and Handmade Soaps. These items are now available in selected TamJai and TamJai Sam Gor stores as part of a limited-edition release, showcasing the potential and capabilities of persons in recovery.
‘Joy in the Garden Estate’ Service Tour And Carnival
dayday330 was invited by the Hong Kong Housing Society to attend the "Joy in the Garden Estate" Service Tour and Carnival held at Kwun Tong Garden Estate.
At the carnival, dayday330 set up a game stall, allowing participants to learn about five ways to well-being, the 330 micro break and the 330 Wellness Index in a fun and engaging way. The response was extremely enthusiastic.
Organic Local Tomato Festival
New Life Farm took part in the Organic Local Tomato Festival, organised by the Organic Resource Centre at Maritime Square. The event brought together several other local certified organic farms to promote a variety of organic tomatoes and high-quality farm produce, aiming to raise awareness of healthy living and environmental protection.
As part of the festival, New Life Farm donated a batch of freshly harvested organic vegetables to low-income families. By sharing the nutritious and delicious produce cultivated by persons in recovery, this initiative aimed to spread positivity through good food.
Providing Mental Health Assessments For ‘Healthy Mind Pilot Scheme’
The government-funded "Healthy Mind Pilot Scheme” was launched in August 2024, with New Life serving as one of the participating organisations. The Association offers free mental health assessments and low-intensity mental health support to members aged 18 and above at the Tuen Mun District Health Centre.
The programme utilises clinically proven psychological therapies to enhance participants' emotional management skills, with the aim of alleviating their symptoms of depression and anxiety.
For details, visit: https://healthymind.nlpra.org.hk/
Enrol now: https://forms.office.com/r/TpLh1JAwft
Kwai Shing Sheltered Workshop: ECF Food Sharing Project (HKTVmall)
As a major supporter of New Life’s ECF Food Sharing Project, HKTVmall not only donated food items collected through two mobile food collection boxes in the company’s office, but also mobilised its corporate volunteer team to take part in the food distribution activity in Kwai Shing West Estate.
The food collection received an overwhelmingly positive response, with nearly 100 kgs of food collected within just one week. The donations included dry goods and beverages, staples and groceries, canned food as well as snacks. All collected items were successfully distributed to beneficiaries of the ECF Food Sharing Project, demonstrating tangible care and support for them through practical action.
The upcoming event
See You on The 330 Day! "Listen · Heart · Speak 330 - Rediscovering Genuine Connections"
On 29 to 30 March (Saturday and Sunday), New Life will host the "Listen · Heart · Speak 330" event, designed to help participants rediscover genuine connections. The occasion will transform into a "330 Village", creating a perfect space that encourages mindful communication, facilitates renewed self-awareness and guides exploration of holistic well-being.
Date: 29 to 30 March, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday)
Venue: D•PARK (L1 Atrium), Tsuen Wan
Details: https://shorturl.at/w0pFZ
The event is co-hosted with the HKSAR Government’s "Shall We Talk” mental health campaign, which will host a dedicated booth at the event.
See you all at D•PARK on 30 March！
To learn more about donation and corporate partnership with New Life, please contact our Corporate Affairs Department.
(corporate-affairs@nlpra.org.hk / 2332 4343)。