The Hong Kong Stock Exchange officially launched its flagship Caregiver Support Program, with the foundation providing additional funding of 50 million Hong Kong dollars.

On March 9th, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (00388) officially launched its flagship Caregiver Care Program under the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Charity Fund to enhance the physical and mental health of local caregivers in Hong Kong. To support this new program, the Chairman of the Stock Exchange, Don Chin Heung, announced that the fund's allocation would be increased from the originally planned HK$25 million to HK$50 million. According to the introduction, the Caregiver Care Program will support a group of unsung heroes in society, including caregivers who have been taking care of the elderly, disabled individuals, long-term patients, or family members with special educational needs, acknowledging their selfless contributions and strengthening corporate support to promote positive social development. Gary Cheuk-ying, Group General Counsel and Chief Sustainability Officer of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, stated that the program will support caregivers at the community level through two key projects. Firstly, the establishment of a Caregiver Community Support Team operated by different local charity organizations in Hong Kong, specifically serving high-risk families and communities, providing family-centered case management, outreach, emergency support services, and long-term care planning guidance. Secondly, through a pilot program in cooperation with Link Asset Management Limited, two new community facilities will be set up at the Shun Lee Shopping Centre in Kwun Tong, with plans to expand to other areas in the future. Cheuk-ying said that these community facilities will help identify caregivers, provide them with relevant support services or referrals, and serve as venues for group sharing, physical and cognitive health assessments, and activities that promote physical and mental well-being. This includes customized fitness classes and social activities for caregivers to encourage an active lifestyle and improve mental health, benefiting at least 2,500 elderly caregivers and 1,000 caregivers of SEN students. Furthermore, the program will support the Labour and Welfare Bureau in piloting the installation of "smart accident detection systems" for at least 300 high-risk caregiver households, including elderly and disabled residents, aiming to achieve instant detection of home accidents, early intervention, and timely assistance to provide greater peace of mind for caregivers. In addition to the community-based work, the program will also support 100 companies, including listed companies and large, medium, and small enterprises, in establishing caregiver-friendly work environments. At the policy level, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange will collaborate with the Hong Kong Jockey Club to conduct project effectiveness evaluations, reference best practices in international caregiver policies, and promote cross-sector dialogue to improve Hong Kong's policy framework.