[13 July 2026, Hong Kong, China] Hong Chi Association celebrated the completion of the modernisation project and official opening of the Hong Chi Jockey Club Ma Tau Kok Workshop on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Officiating at the ceremony were The Hon. Mr. Chris Sun Yuk-han, JP, Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Mr. Philip Lo Kai-wah, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Mr. Edward Yau Tang-wah, GBS, JP, Chairman of Hong Chi Association; and Ms. Lorraine Cheung Oi-chung, Vice-Chairman of Hong Chi Association cum Head of Hong Chi Jockey Club Ma Tau Kok Workshop. Together with other guests, trainees and staff, they celebrated an important milestone in the Workshop’s development.
Established in 1998, the former Hong Chi Ma Tau Kok Workshop was the third sheltered workshop operated by Hong Chi Association, providing vocational training for people with intellectual disabilities and those in mental recovery. With a generous donation of HK$20.53 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Workshop underwent a comprehensive renovation and equipment upgrade in 2025 and was officially renamed the Hong Chi Jockey Club Ma Tau Kok Workshop.
Aligned with the Social Welfare Department’s initiative to transform sheltered workshops into Integrated Vocational Rehabilitation Services Centres (IVRSCs), the Workshop has evolved from a conventional packaging-focused training centre into a contemporary vocational rehabilitation hub. It currently supports about 115 trainees through a variety of training programmes that blend creativity, technology, wellness and community engagement. These programmes provide practical skills and improve their employability for supported and open employment.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, The Hon. Mr. Chris Sun Yuk-han, JP, Secretary for Labour and Welfare said, “The modernisation of Hong Chi Jockey Club Ma Tau Kok Workshop has not only upgraded its facilities, providing Hong Chi trainees with a more comfortable, well-equipped environment that enhances their learning, training, and overall well-being. The Government remains deeply committed to promoting an inclusive society and will continue to introduce policy initiatives that encourage employers to hire persons with disabilities, ultimately creating greater employment opportunities for them.”
Mr. Philip Lo Kai-wah, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “The Hong Kong Jockey Club is committed to addressing the diverse needs of people with different abilities, helping them realise their potential and make the most of their strengths. The Hong Chi Jockey Club Ma Tau Kok Workshop, officially opened today, is one of the service units participating in the Jockey Club Health Support Project for Persons with Disabilities. Through the project, the Workshop has been equipped with health monitoring devices and enhanced health education and management services. We hope the Workshop will continue to expand its range of training opportunities while providing more comprehensive health support for both trainees and their caregivers.”
Mr. Edward Yau, Chairman of Hong Chi Association, expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Government and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for their ongoing support of the Association and disability services. He noted, He noted, Today's celebration signifies more than just an upgrade of our facilities; it marks a new era in vocational rehabilitation. Our service users are no longer confined to traditional packaging tasks, showcasing their creativity, skills, and potential. He also urged the community to continue fostering inclusion by creating more opportunities for persons with special needs to learn, grow and contribute to society.
The officiating guests toured the upgraded Workshop to observe how trainees utilise its new equipment, such as commercial embroidery machines and industrial digital fabric printers, to develop vocational skills and produce goods. They also experienced firsthand insights into the diverse range of vocational rehabilitation training offered at the Workshop.
Beyond the facilities upgrade, the Workshop has launched its own brand, “hc.Wellness”, which offers a variety of handcrafted products. Through the brand, trainees are involved in every stage of the process, from design to production and sales, helping them develop creativity, confidence and practical workplace skills. Additionally, a retail space on the ground floor provides trainees with opportunities to practice merchandising, customer service and sales, fostering stronger ties between the Workshop and the community.
The Hong Chi Jockey Club Ma Tau Kok Workshop has transformed from a traditional sheltered workshop into an Integrated Vocational Rehabilitation Services Centre, marking a significant milestone for Hong Chi Association’s vocational rehabilitation services. Guided by its mission to empower people with intellectual disabilities, Hong Chi will continue to collaborate with the government, cooperatives and the community to create more opportunities for service users to learn, develop and participate in society. This initiative aims to foster a more inclusive community for all.
Photos：
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The Hon. Mr. Chris Sun Yuk-han, JP, Secretary for Labour and Welfare (middle) presents a souvenir handcrafted by Hong Chi trainees to Mr. Philip Lo Kai-wah, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (left 1), in appreciation of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust’s longstanding support for the development of Hong Chi Association’s services. |
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The Hon. Mr. Chris Sun Yuk-han, JP, Secretary for Labour and Welfare (right 2); Mr. Philip Lo Kai-wah, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (left 2); Mr. Edward Yau, GBS, JP, Chairman of Hong Chi Association (right 1) and Ms. Lorraine Cheung Oi-chung, Vice-Chairman of Hong Chi Association cum Head of Hong Chi Jockey Club Ma Tau Kok Workshop (left 1), officiating at the opening ceremony of the Hong Chi Jockey Club Ma Tau Kok Workshop following its modernisation project. |
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Officiating guests, representatives of Hong Chi Association, trainees, and attendees gather for a group photo to mark the occasion. |
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Guests tour Hong Chi Jockey Club Ma Tau Kok Workshop to learn more about its diverse vocational rehabilitation training programmes and the learning experiences. |
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Hong Chi Jockey Club Ma Tau Kok Workshop has launched its own brand, “hc.Wellness”, enabling trainees to participate in product design, production and sales, while showcasing their creativity, abilities and potential. |
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About Hong Chi Association
Hong Chi Association, founded in 1965, has grown into one of the most well-established non-profit organisations dedicated solely to serving over 9,800 people of all ages and all levels of intellectual disability and their families in Hong Kong. It operates 106 service units to provide comprehensive services.
Website: www.hongchi.org.hk Facebook：Hong Chi Association Instagram：hca_hongchi
Media Enquiries:
Communications and Fundraising Office, Hong Chi Association, Tel: +852 2661 0709
Mobile: +852 9311 9651
Email: cfr@hongchi.org.hk
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