With the trust of the Executive Committee, I am deeply honored to have assumed the position of Director of Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong in July this year. This appointment is not only a great honor but also a profound responsibility. Over the past sixteen years, my predecessor and the dedicated team have worked tirelessly to develop the organisation into a vibrant, professional, and compassionate institution. With gratitude and humility, I now receive this legacy and look forward to working hand in hand with all colleagues, service users, and community partners as we embark on a new chapter.

A Community for All

Though not large in scale, our organisation provides a comprehensive range of community mental health services. We believe that every individual should have a rightful place within the community. Through rehabilitation services, halfway houses, vocational training, and the Recovering Citizenship Project, we aim to help people in mental recovery rebuild their confidence, reintegrate into society, and live with dignity.

We also emphasize prevention through public education to promote understanding of mental health, strengthen stress management, and nurture personal potential so that everyone can contribute positively to the community. In service planning, we encourage active participation from people in mental recovery and caregivers, enabling them to voice their opinions through various advisory committees. Currently, eight people in mental recovery are employed as Peer Support Workers, using their lived experience to inspire others. We believe that true transformation stems from engagement and participation.

Connecting the Community through Arts and Sports

This year, we adopted art as a means of engagement, providing more opportunities for people in mental recovery to express their talents. Through the ‘Journey of Art’ project, we created a platform that highlights their uniqueness and value to the wider community. The ‘Performing Arts Make Easy’ initiative also offered systematic performance arts training, allowing participants to connect with the public through music and drama, rebuilding their self-confidence and sense of direction.

We also continued our ‘Human Library’ program, in which people in mental recovery visit schools and universities to share their personal stories. These dialogues help students gain deeper insights into the needs of service users. Such initiatives not only empower those in recovery but also foster inclusion and empathy within the community.

In vocational rehabilitation, the newly refurbished New Jade Manufacturing Centre offers a brighter and safer training environment after the flood.  This year, advanced training courses have been added to better equip the service users for workplace demands and enable them to contribute meaningfully to society.

Caring for the Elderly, Youth, Caregivers, and Families

We remain acutely aware of the diverse needs across different groups. The ‘Project KoL’ Key Incentives of Living provided mental health support for elderly residents in private care homes, improving their quality of life.  The ‘Jockey Club JoyAge 3.0’ program serves older adults who are experiencing depression or emotional distress.

This year, we have collaborated with over twenty primary and secondary schools and youth centers to support the mental well-being of students and educators, while also advocating for greater awareness of self-harm and suicide prevention among young people. Families and caregivers are equally vital partners; through various educational and support initiatives this year, we have strengthened their capacity to walk alongside people in mental recovery.

Promoting Mental Health for All

Our flagship public education event, ‘Mental Health Month’, was jointly organised by eleven mental health service providers. This year, our organisation proudly served as the convenor under the theme, ‘Linking Hearts, Bridging Communities’, hosting community carnivals and open days to deepen public understanding and engagement in mental health. The opening ceremony in October, 2024, officiated by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr. Sun Yuk-han, and the closing ceremony in January, 2025, marked successful community participation in events such as the ‘Heart Speak Photography Contest: Linking Hearts, Bridging Communities’ and ‘Community Heart Guides’ open days.

We also held the 7th Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong Charity Table Tennis Open, where people in mental recovery competed alongside more than 700 players including the public and students, embodying inclusion through sports.

Additionally, we participated in the S+ Summit organised by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, connecting with over a hundred businesses to promote workplace mental health and extend the dialogue beyond the welfare sector.

Round-the-Clock Support

To meet the growing demand for mental health support, we operate the 24-hour 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline, which is complemented by the ‘RE:bound’ User Friendly Mental Health Help-seeking Platform. These channels offer accessible mental health information and entry-level support. Through face-to-face, phone, and online interventions, we strive to provide early assistance and reduce barriers to help-seeking.

Moving Forward with Steady Determination

Looking ahead, we will continue to strengthen community connections, broaden partnerships, and expand our social impact. Despite resource constraints, we will explore innovative fundraising and outreach initiatives—such as art exhibition, sporting events, flag selling, and annual dinner—to enhance public awareness and support.

Internally, we have made talent development a strategic priority. Through the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s ‘Endless Learning’ initiative under the Innopower Social Welfare Fellowship, we seek to enhance staff capability, belonging, and a culture of continuous learning.  Key focus areas include establishing leadership and competency frameworks for managers, integrating learning and development systems through workshops and digital tools, expanding internal career coaching, and applying organisational health research by McKinsey to guide future talent strategies.

My senior management team and I have reflected on the motto of ‘On the Forefront of Mental Health’—to serve with passion and professionalism, to anticipate needs, and to respond swiftly and effectively.  Mental health challenges continue to rise, and though social stigma persists, public awareness has grown.  Amid change, we remain steadfast in our mission to combat discrimination, promote prevention and early intervention, and empower individuals.

By leveraging professional knowledge, technology, and community collaboration, we will continue to integrate strengths across sectors to make mental health care more inclusive and accessible.

Finally, heartfelt appreciation goes to every staff member, service user, family, caregiver, community partner, and donor.  Your collective effort and commitment make our organisation a caring, professional, and dynamic institution.  Together, we will keep advancing mental health for all in our community.