The Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) Volunteer Team is in its sixth year of serving the community. Its participation in two long-term volunteer programmes has earned it a Total Caring award in the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council's 17th Outstanding Volunteer Awards and an Outstanding Corporate Partner award in the Christian Family Service Centre Volunteer Team Recognition Day 2009. The awards are meant to thank the volunteers for their contributions.

Helping seniors relocate

The Volunteer Team was part of a programme over the past 15 months to help nearly 100 households of elderly residents affected by the redevelopment of Ngau Tau Kok Lower Estate move to new homes. The Team made visits before and after the moves, produced redevelopment leaflets, helped with flat selection and inspection, supplied and installed lights and floor tiles and more. The Volunteer Team was given a Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Total Caring award for their contributions.

Using skills

The Volunteers also won an Outstanding Corporate Partner award for their contributions to a maintenance programme in the Christian Family Service Centre Volunteer Team Recognition Day 2009. The volunteers used their professional skills to improve the living environment for residents of the centre, who are recovering mental patients. There were also seminars where the volunteers and residents could get acquainted and build rapport. The volunteers taught the residents how to do home maintenance, helping them to build confidence and independence, and organized an outreach squad with trained residents to help other recovering mental patients.

Wholehearted commitment

Team leader Michelle Leung said: "We are very encouraged by the major awards from the two organizations, as they recognize the enthusiasm of our volunteers. The Team will continue to work with social welfare bodies to provide assistance to people in need, maintaining its wholehearted commitment to the community, helping people and contributing to society."