To provide support and assistance to single-parent families and new parents, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has granted the Hong Kong Single Parents Association funding to set up the Hong Kong Single Parents Association Jockey Club Neighbourhood Support Centrein Sha Tin and launch a three-year Jockey Club New Parents Support Programme. The initiative is aimed at helping such families adapt to their new lives by providing parenting and emotional support, as well as cultivating a mutual support network amongst parents in the community and thereby building harmonious families.

Officiating guests at the opening ceremony of the support centre today (8 December) included Club Steward Silas S S Yang; Chief Secretary for Administration the Hon Matthew Cheung; Deputy Director General of the Social Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Li Yunfu; Chairman of Sha Tin District Council Ho Hau-cheung; and Chairperson of the Hong Kong Single Parents Association Rosalie Huibonhoa.

Mr Yeung noted that the Club had long been active in promoting family harmony, and had supported a number of different organisations in launching programmes related to family services. “We are pleased to support the setting-up of Hong Kong Single Parents Association Jockey Club Neighbourhood Support Centre and the launch of the Jockey Club New Parents Support Programme,” he said. “We hope this initiative can help single and new parents adapt to their new circumstances, and assist them in building positive parent-child relationships and happy and healthy family lives. We also hope that through its parent support groups, volunteer activities and public education, the programme can promote neighbourhood support and social inclusion for the betterment of society.”

Located in Kwong Yuen Estate, Sha Tin, the Hong Kong Single Parents Association Jockey Club Neighbourhood Support Centreboasts facilities such as multi-purpose function rooms, counselling rooms and designated areas for childcare support, providing childcare services to single-parent families and new parents in Sha Tin District. The support centre will also implement the Jockey Club New Parents Support Programme, offering a range of supporting services such as seminars, counselling, emotional support and a mutual support network in the community, to provide appropriate assistance to such parents.

The project is expected to help over 1,000 new and single parents build positive parent-child relationships and happy and healthy family lives. About 300 volunteer helpers will be recruited and trained to provide support in the neighbourhood.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charity and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2017/18, the Club made a record return to the Government of HK$22.6 billion in duty and profits tax and contributed HK$1.2 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity donations were HK$4.2 billion. The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.