ENG-1976 — Page 161

SOCIAL WELFARE

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sub-divisions and units which deal with training, planning and development, research and evaluation, and public relations.

A significant role in the provision of social welfare services is also played by voluntary agencies. The majority of these are affiliated to the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (see Appendix 43A), and many are assisted by annual subvention from the government. With the dwindling flow of aid from overseas, the voluntary sector has become increasingly dependent on this assistance and on help from charitable funds and donations within Hong Kong. The Community Chest of Hong Kong, to which some 60 welfare bodies belong (see Appendix 43B), represents an endeavour by these organisations to co-ordinate their local fund-raising activities.

In the financial year 1975-6, overall government expenditure on social welfare increased by some 38.6 per cent to a total of $294.8 million. A further sum of $5 million was provided from the Lotteries Fund in loans and capital grants.

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Group and Community Work

Group and community work is designed to foster a sense of individual and collec- tive responsibility. Individuals are brought together and assisted to form groups, and these groups are encouraged to develop a sense of good fellowship and to work for the betterment of the community. The aim is to improve the quality of life and develop a more cohesive, harmonious and stable society.

The group and community work division of the Social Welfare Department operates through a network of community centres, community welfare buildings and community halls. These bring neighbourhood welfare services conveniently together under one roof and offer facilities such as libraries, day nurseries, vocational training classes, clubs for different interests and age groups, family counselling and other services. In addition, special programmes are arranged for young people in parks and playgrounds. The division is represented in the field by community and youth officers whose responsibilities are to stimulate and co-ordinate the development of community and youth services within their districts. The division maintains a rural mobile service unit which provides library, social and recreational services to people in remote and isolated villages. It also has two youth hostels for campers.

A substantial contribution towards the provision of recreational and social services for young people is made by voluntary agencies such as the Hong Kong Christian Service, Caritas, the YMCA and YWCA, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, the Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association, the Hong Kong Playgrounds Association and many others. These agencies are particularly active in the organisa- tion of youth and children's centres, and also play an important role in play leader- ship programmes, in arranging detached work for young people, and in providing counselling services for youth.

Family Welfare Services

Broadly speaking, the family welfare services are intended to promote the welfare of families and individual family members, with particular reference to women and children.