The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, visited a Community Carer's Cafe co-organised by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and the Hong Kong Federation of Women's Centres (HKFWC) this morning (November 26) to take a closer look at its support services for carers. The Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Caspar Tsui, also joined the visit.
Since October 2018, the SWD has been collaborating with the HKFWC in setting up such Cafes in four Integrated Family Service Centres (IFSCs) in Tai Po and North District to provide carers with activities and refreshments to help them relax mentally and physically, exchange experience and gain support.
Dr Law toured the Cafe situated in the Sheung Shui IFSC, where he was briefed on a carer training programme of the HKFWC. Apart from training on basic personal care for young children and the elderly, the programme also encourages participants to talk about their experience in order to relieve their own stress.
The Cafe has also arranged for volunteers to look after the carers' children, elderly persons or persons with disabilities temporarily. Carers identified with counselling and welfare needs by volunteers will be referred to professional social workers for follow-up. The four Cafes have been giving support to some 440 carers so far.
In view of carers' positive feedback to the operation mode of the Cafes, six other service units targeting different users in Tai Po and North District have also set up such Cafe services.
Dr Law pointed out that the Government will continue to enhance support for carers. A study on carer policy has already been launched.
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