In light of the rising number of elderly singletons and doubletons in Hong Kong, many of whom face social isolation and limited support networks, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has approved around HK$380 million through its Charities Trust to launch the Jockey Club “Reach to Bridge” Community Elderly Support Project. This four-year project is designed to provide timely and targeted assistance to grass-roots elders by strengthening community support and promoting social integration for elderly couples and those living alone.

A launch ceremony for the project was held today (28 October). Among the officiating guests were HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun and Club Steward Bernard Chan.

At the ceremony, Club Steward Bernard Chan explained that Older Adults is one of the key priorities of the Club’s charities strategy. The Club has taken a proactive role in initiating and supporting elderly care service projects through multi-sector collaboration and innovative approaches, he said. This reflects the Club’s steadfast commitment to enhancing elders’ quality of life. The project identifies elderly individuals who lack social and support networks and provides them with timely and appropriate service referrals tailored to their physical, mental and spiritual needs - helping them reconnect with the community.

The project began in 2023 as a pilot in six districts and has since expanded to cover all 18 districts across the city. The initiative mobilises community networks in collaboration with 20 non-governmental organisations to identify socially isolated elders through cross-sectoral collaboration, proactive outreach and creative engagement activities. Community stakeholders, including district-based organisations and local shops, are engaged to co-operate in building a close-knit support network. To ensure timely assistance and facilitate appropriate matching of social services, project partners utilise an assessment tool developed by The University of Hong Kong (HKU) to evaluate the physical, psychological and social health status of elderly participants, as well as their service needs. Preliminary findings from HKU’s impact assessment indicate improved social connectedness among beneficiaries. Participants are increasingly engaged within their communities, contributing to improved overall mobility.

In addition, the project provides home improvement services for eligible elderly individuals in need. After gaining an understanding of beneficiaries’ daily habits and challenges, project partners provide basic home repair services, replacement of unsafe essential appliances, and installation of home safety assistive devices. These enhancements reduce the risk of home accidents and create a more secure living environment, enabling older adults to age in place with comfort and autonomy. To date, the project has benefited over 11,000 elderly individuals and is expected to reach a total of 30,000 beneficiaries, with more than 15,000 elderly households receiving home improvement support. 

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club “Reach to Bridge” Community Elderly Support Project, like all its charity and community contributions, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class sports and entertainment organisation 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 charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2024/25, the Club returned a total of HK$39.1 billion to the community. This included HK$30.1 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$9.0 billion in approved charity donations.  The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s leading charity donors.