FWD partners with Hong Chi Association to develop a new Dishwashing Training Centre for people with intellectual disabilities

FWD promotes social integration by equipping Hong Chi trainees with practical skills and work opportunities

FWD Hong Kong (“FWD”) is pleased to announce its partnership with Hong Chi Association (“Hong Chi”) to sponsor HKD 2.8 million towards setting up the Dishwashing Training Centre at Hong Chi Pinehill Integrated Vocational Rehabilitation Services Centre in Tai Po. The Centre is an extension of the FWD x Hong Chi “Live Up Today” Programme established in 2014 to help people with autism and intellectual disabilities to develop their potential and advocate for social integration.

Since the three-year dishwashing training project commenced in 2019, 160 Hong Chi trainees have attended training courses for building knowledge such as manual dishwashing skills, and 14 of them have undertaken vocational placements to work for Hong Chi’s social service units and other catering facilities. So far, the project has provided dishwashing service to 10 groups of customers serving 1,040 users. Recently, the training centre has expanded its daily service coverage to the A.S. Watson Industries Canteen Service at Tai Po, a testament to the Hong Chi trainees’ dedicated work. 

“We’re excited to team up with Hong Chi Association to establish the new Dishwashing Training Centre. The Centre can help increase Hong Chi members’ competitiveness with practical skills applicable in a real working environment, while providing a genuinely useful service for the community as a whole,” said Ken Lau, FWD’s Managing Director for Greater China & Hong Kong CEO. “Over the past few years, we have provided funding support of over HKD 11 million via a range of programmes, empowering over 7,000 people with autism and intellectual disabilities to celebrate living and foster social integration.”

“We are truly thankful to have the continued support from our long-time partner FWD Hong Kong throughout the years. With generous funding from FWD, the Association’s first-ever dishwashing training centre has been set up to provide job training and work opportunities to people with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities. The well-equipped training centre can assist them in better adapting to the ever-changing job market. This meaningful collaboration shows the unlimited abilities of our trainees and proves that people with intellectual disabilities are contributing members of society.” Lydia Yip, Vice-Chairman of Hong Chi Association said.  

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About Hong Chi Association
Hong Chi Association (formerly the Hong Kong Association for the Mentally Handicapped), founded in 1965, has grown to become one of the most well-established non-profit organizations dedicated solely to serving over 7,000 people of all ages and all grades of intellectual disabilities and their families in Hong Kong. It operates 99 service units to provide comprehensive services.

About FWD Hong Kong & Macau
FWD Hong Kong & Macau is part of the FWD Group, the primary insurance business of investment group, Pacific Century Group. FWD Group spans 10 markets in Asia including Hong Kong SAR & Macau SAR, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia and Cambodia, offering life and medical insurance, general insurance, employee benefits, Shariah and family takaful products across a number of its markets. 

FWD Hong Kong has been assigned strong financial ratings by international agencies. It offers life and medical insurance, general insurance, employee benefits, and financial planning. FWD Macau provides a suite of life and medical insurance.

By creating fresh customer experiences with easy-to-understand products supported by digital technology, FWD aims to be a leading pan-Asian insurer by changing the way people feel about insurance.

For more information about FWD Hong Kong & Macau please visit www.fwd.com.hk  and www.fwd.com.mo.

About FWD community care
FWD has shown its long term commitment to accepting and addressing mental health issues in Hong Kong. In particular, it launched the market-first health protection plan that covers mental illnesses, critical illnesses and special diseases in 2018 providing all-round protection for both physical and mental well-being. It also funded the development of digital tools for mental health in the same year with The Hong Kong Society of Psychiatrists and The Child Development Centre. A long term partnership with Special Olympics was also established to support young people with intellectual disabilities, focusing on the Unified Schools and Athlete Leadership programmes. FWD will continue to broaden the approach in community care and support our sustainable community.