NWS Holdings Limited (“NWS Holdings” or “the Group”; Hong Kong stock code: 659) and Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association (“HKYWCA”) today launched an elderly day care centre in Fanling. Named “YWCA NWS Y-Care Centre (North District)” (“NWS Y-Care Centre”), the centre is funded by the HK$3 million donation from NWS Holdings Charities Foundation, and managed and operated by HKYWCA under a social enterprise model. With the synergy of private-public partnership, the NWS Y-Care Centre, alongside a new service coach and the “Joyful Age” volunteer programme started early this year, will address the pressing needs for elderly day care services in North District.

According to government figures, North District has an elderly population of 31,000, representing 10% of the district population. However, due to insufficient resources and services at public and private elderly care centres in the district, the average service waiting time spans from 1.5 to 2 years. To meet this social need and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its first trading day, NWS Holdings partners with HKYWCA to establish the NWS Y-Care Centre that delivers convenient and all-rounded elderly day care services. The centre is expected to serve 30,000 accumulated users within the first three years of operation.

At the officiating ceremony, Matthew Cheung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, said, “NWS Y-Care Centre takes an all-rounded and practical service approach to meet both physical and mental needs of the elderly, promoting the active aging concept.”

Located in Yung Shing Shopping Centre, Fanling, the 3,500-square-feet NWS Y-Care Centre is furnished with facilities that include a life skill training room, a physiotherapy room, a computer room as well as nostalgic corridor and tea corner. Under the service philosophy of “All-rounded Healthy Life”, the Centre provides a diverse range of services ranging from day care service, rehabilitation therapy, cognitive training, reminiscence therapy and care-taker training. Rehabilitation bus service supported by the funding will be available for those living in remote areas. The services emphasize both physical and psychological needs of the elderly and will help ease the burden of their care-takers.

Tsang Yam Pui, Executive Director of NWS Holdings, said, “NWS Y-Care Centre represents the Group’s unwavering commitment to care for the community and marks the 10th anniversary of our First Trading Day. Supported by a brand new rehabilitation bus and our corporate volunteers, the Centre provides comprehensive caring services to our senior citizens who have contributed to Hong Kong’s success.”

In acknowledging NWS Holdings’ support, Mrs Patricia Ling, President of HKYWCA, said, “HKYWCA believes in the importance of cross-sector collaboration. We are grateful to NWS Holdings’ support on the NWS Y-Care Centre project, which intends to bring a youthful mentality and healthy life to the elderly in the North District.”

Fu Kam Sheung, a family member of a centre service user since its soft launch in November, said, “My father was diagnosed with Dementia in 2011. I was very worried about him and my mother was stressed. As referred by a hospital, we came to NWS Y-Care Centre for help. We are glad to see positive changes in my father. Not only has he become more cheerful, his mental ability has improved. It really helps relieve my mother’s burden.”

In addition to financial support, NWS Holdings launched a three-year volunteer programme “Joyful Age” in partnership with HKYWCA early this year. The NWS Volunteer Alliance has been involved in serving elderly residing in remote villages in North District. Volunteer services, including cognitive training, farming day, home visits, haircut service and festival parties, have been organized to strengthen the senior citizens’ connection with the community. The Group’s volunteers will make use of the support and resources from the new NWS Y-Care Centre to better serve the beneficiaries.

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