The Jockey Club Carer Space Project hosted a symposium today (18 November) to share initial outcomes and experience gained during the past two years. Initiated and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the five-year project aims to enhance the skills and well-being of carers, who play an essential role in supporting Hong Kong’s growing population of elderly, by connecting them to timely and appropriate services.

Attending guests included HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun, Club Steward Jackson Woo, Convenor of the Advisory Committee of the Jockey Club Carer Space Project Professor Patrick Nip and representatives of project partners.

In his welcome address, Club Steward Jackson Woo highlighted that carers play a vital role in an ageing society and require robust support from all sectors. In this regard, the Club has taken a proactive role in funding initiatives to support carers, including the Jockey Club Carer Space Project, which aims to deliver evidence-based and innovative services, raise public awareness of carers, and foster a carer-friendly community. Looking ahead, the Club is committed to advancing cross-sectoral collaboration and striving to improve quality of life for the elderly.

The symposium featured a capacity building seminar and a thematic panel discussion, bringing together industry leaders to explore how cross-sectoral collaboration can strengthen community capacity and establish innovative and sustainable support networks for carers. The Project Principal Investigator Professor Vivian Lou also shared the project’s initial outcomes, underscoring the importance and value of developing a carer-centric service model. The symposium attracted some 350 local experts and industry representatives.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust initiated and funded the Jockey Club Carer Space Project with an approved donation of HK$290 million in 2023. Partnering with six non-governmental organisations and the Sau Po Centre on Ageing of The University of Hong Kong, the project is establishing designated Carer Spaces and service points across the city. Core service components include caregiving planning, professional counselling, skills training and mutual support groups. It also offers a flexible respite service and ensures carers have access to essential support throughout their caregiving journey. In addition to developing an evidence-based service model to benchmark service quality, the project aims to raise public awareness and promote a carer-friendly community.

The five-year project is expected to benefit more than 40,000 carers and elderly. To date, the project has established a total of 18 Carer Spaces and service points in the city, providing timely and appropriate support to about 11,000 carers and elderly individuals in need.

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club Carer Space 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.