The Hong Kong Club Foundation’s continued support has allowed our Caregivers Programme to extend for another year, enabling us to reach more families in need.
Read on to learn more about the programme.
The Caregivers Programme is an ongoing initiative, established in 2014, designed to support the mental health and well-being of caregivers. It helps them manage emotions, reduce stress, build resilience, and cultivate peer support, while also focusing on strengthening the parent-child relationship.
Our team of Registered Art and Expressive Arts Therapists holds weekly art therapy groups for children and caregivers. These sessions include joint art therapy activities that aim to improve communication, enhance parental warmth, and teach caregivers to manage behavioral issues with empathy and respect.
Additionally, we have established a ‘Self-Care Art Corner’ in five partnering community centers. Each corner is equipped with a cart of materials for self-expression and stress relief, which community members can use freely. Social workers at each center receive training and supervision in creative arts facilitation for children. We also distribute 1,200 copies of a Wellness Art Manual, which includes activity ideas and guidelines, along with Wellness Art Kits containing useful materials for participating families and centers.
Children participating in the programme demonstrate improved skills in self-expression, communication of emotions and thoughts, empathy, and acceptance of themselves and others. Caregivers reflect on their own parenting skills and attitudes, learning ways to become more accepting and understanding of their children’s needs.
Charles Chan, AThR, Registered Expressive Arts Therapist, comments:
“Every child has a different sense of safety and comfort. Through this art process, children develop their own imaginary safety and comfort planet, complete with living creatures and transportation. Creating an immersive universe allows group members to feel connected and related to each other. They share that they feel supported and acknowledged by their peers, learning to respect each other’s boundaries and accept differences. I believe they gain meaningful experiences for their social development through this art process.”
