18.
+
(c)
(d)
(e)
whether there are any other ways to promote the project, besides referrals by local groups and organisations, so that more elderly people can learn of and participate in it;
of the respective numbers of elderly people and volunteers who have participated in the project since its implementation last October; and
whether the Government has any plan to carry out the project on a long term basis?
Reply:
(a)
(b)
The Social Networking Scheme for the Elderly was launched in October 1996. It is a two-year experimental project. To implement this project, we have provided resources to the existing 25 multi-service centres for the elderly to employ extra social workers, purchase computers, design computer programmes in order to compile and store the information of the participating elderly. Besides, we have provided resources to all the multi-service centres to meet the recurrent expenses such as administrative costs, insurance for staff and volunteers, etc. Aside from the existing 25 multi-service centres, the other five centres which will open in the coming year will also be allocated resources for the project. The distribution of resources among different districts varies, depending on the number of multi-service centres in the respective districts. The total allocation for the whole project is $22 million.
Volunteer organisations participating in the project will provide training to the volunteers. The multi-service centres and the Group Work Units of the Social Welfare Department will provide assistance to the volunteer organisations. The operational guidelines in the outline for volunteer training include the following topics: concept of volunteer service; objectives and contents of the Scheme; roles and duties of volunteers; safety of volunteers; communication skills; physical and psycho-social changes of ageing; home safety; community and residential services for the elderly. Besides, the District Committees of Social Networking for the Elderly also arrange training for volunteers.