With the support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, PolyU has partnered with Hong Kong Children and Youth Services, Hong Kong Family Welfare Society, The Salvation Army and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals to deliver a three-year project “Jockey Club ‘Promoting Family Resilience’ Project” that aims to help families cope with stress and adversity.

Since 2021, the project has launched various programmes including an e-learning training course on family resilience and community-based family intervention services to help families respond to changes and disruptions brought about by the pandemic and adapt to the constantly changing social environment.

Family resilience is the ability of a family to cope with and adapt to challenging situations and external threats. It includes family cohesion and flexibility, open family communication, and a shared sense of purpose and positive outlook. By developing family resilience, families can better navigate difficult circumstances and maintain a sense of stability, mutual support and positive communication even in the face of adversity.

Eight months after the launch of the e-learning training course, there have been over 5,000 beneficiaries. According to Prof. Daniel Shek, Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme), Chair Professor of Applied Social Sciences, and Li and Fung Professor in Service Leadership Education of PolyU, over 97% of the participants reported that they had assimilated the concepts of family resilience and had a better understanding of their own family characteristics, while 95% found that they faced adversity more positively and were more willing to shoulder the burdens of other family members.

Another part of the project is the community-based family intervention programmes which also aim to enhance family resilience in the community. Over 7,000 families have joined these programmes in the past two years. Dr Janet Leung, Associate Professor of Applied Social Sciences of PolyU, said programme evaluation showed that 97% of participants reported that they were more optimistic in facing adversity, communicated better and had developed mutual support among their family members.

To understand more about the Project, please visit their website or Facebook page.