Overview
Smartphone is becoming a necessity in all walks of life, allowing users to access online news, maps, transportation routes and record his/her travel information. However, the underprivileged, especially the seniors in the community, cannot afford a smartphone and are disconnected with the digital world, causing inconvenience to their everyday life and commute.
With the aim to better connect seniors with the society, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust approved a donation of HK$27 million in December 2021, to launch the Jockey Club Digital Support Project for the Elderly (Project) in collaboration with 12 NGO partners and four mobile network service providers. LeaveHomeSafe (LHS) compatible smartphones with mobile SIM cards (free 12-month basic service) will be distributed to around 20,000 elderly in need. User training will also be provided so that the beneficiaries will be able to learn the practical skills in using smartphone and mobile applications.
74 District Elderly Community Centres (DECC) and Neighbourhood Elderly Centres (NEC) operated by the 12 NGO partners will identify and conduct initial assessment with eligible elderly. The eligible elderly in need will be referred for further vetting and approval. The beneficiary will receive notification from DECC, and be arranged to collect the smartphone and mobile SIM card at the designated time from the designated DECC, as well as to learn the basic practical skills.
Eligibility
The beneficiary should fulfil the criteria below:
receiving supplements from the Social Welfare Department's Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme; and aged 65 or above at the time of assessment; and not residing in residential care homes for elderly and not owning a smartphone; and being referred by social workers of the District Elderly Community Centres (DECC) or Neighbourhood Elderly Centres (NEC) under the 12 participating NGOs, and vetted by the 18 District Elderly Community Centres (DECC).
Assessment and Distribution
Assessment
Starting from December 2021, the participating NGOs will identify the eligible elderly persons, and conduct further screening and assessment. Needy elderly who are eligible may also contact the 41 District Elderly Community Centres (DECC) or 170 Neighbourhood Elderly Centres (NEC) listed by the Social Welfare Department for referral and further assessment. Smartphones and mobile SIM card will be distributed according to needs of the elderly, based on social worker’s evaluation, instead of on a first-come, first-served basis.
Result Notification
Successfully applicants will be notified by his/her consigned DECC, together with the redemption details.
Redemption of Smartphone and Mobile SIM Card
Upon notification, the successful applicant can collect his/her notification letter at the designated DECC within a specific period of time, and redeem his/her assigned smartphone and mobile SIM card. The staff or volunteer at DECC will activate the smartphone and provide smartphone and mobile applications usage guidance to the elderly and assist him/her in mastering the necessary skills.
Social workers of the 74 District Elderly Community Centres (DECC) and Neighbourhood Elderly Centres (NEC) operated by the 12 NGO partners will assess the needs of eligible elderly persons, and refer cases for further screening and approval. Assessments will be made according to needs of the elderly, based on social worker’s evaluation, not on a first-come, first-served basis.
Smartphones distribution depends on stock availability, transport and the operational arrangement. Beneficiaries will normally be able to redeem the smartphones and mobile SIM cards within two weeks upon receiving the notification. Beneficiaries may also contact the designated DECC for enquiries on redemption arrangement.
The beneficiaries will be notified by his/her designated DECC and he/she should go to the designated centre in person within a specified time period to redeem a designated smartphone and a mobile SIM card.
The staff or volunteers at DECC will activate the smartphone and mobile SIM card. User training will also be offered by DECC so that the beneficiaries will be able to learn the practical skills in using smartphone and mobile applications.
Participating NGOs
74 District Elderly Community Centres (DECC) and Neighbourhood Elderly Centres operated by the 12 NGO partners (Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Association Social Service, Caritas – Hong Kong, Christian Family Service Centre, Evangelical Lutheran Church Social Service – Hong Kong, Haven of Hope Christian Service, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Limited, Hong Kong Society for the Aged, Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association, Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council, Salvation Army, St. James’ Settlement, and Yan Oi Tong) will identify and conduct initial assessment with eligible elderly. The eligible elderly in need will be referred for further vetting and approval.
Participating Mobile Network Service Providers
Participating mobile network service providers, namely 3 Hong Kong, China Mobile Hong Kong, CSL and SmarTone will provide entry-level smartphones, mobile SIM cards and 12-month basic service. They will also provide technical support to the District Elderly Community Centres under the participating NGOs which deliver the smartphones.
FAQs
Project Details and Eligibility
The beneficiaries will receive a LeaveHomeSafe (LHS) compatible smartphones and a mobile SIM card with free 12-month basic mobile service. User training will also be offered by participating NGOs so that the beneficiaries will be able to learn the practical skills in using smartphone and mobile applications.
This grant will target around 20,000 underprivileged elderly. Eligible persons must be a recipient of the Social Welfare Department’s Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, aged 65 or above at the time of assessment, not residing in residential care homes for elderly, and not owning a smartphone. All cases must be referred by social workers of the District Elderly Community Centres (DECC) or Neighbourhood Elderly Centres (NEC) under the 12 participating NGOs.
The beneficiary should fulfil the criteria below:
- receiving supplements from the Social Welfare Department’s Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme; and
- aged 65 or above at the time of assessment; and
- not residing in residential care homes for elderly and not owning a smartphone; and
- being referred by social workers of the District Elderly Community Centres (DECC) or Neighbourhood Elderly Centres (NEC) under the 12 participating NGOs, and vetted by the 18 District Elderly Community Centres (DECC).
Assessment and Distribution
Social workers of the 74 District Elderly Community Centres (DECCs) and Neighbourhood Elderly Centres (NECs) operated by the 12 NGO partners will assess the needs of eligible elderly persons, and refer cases for further screening and approval. Assessments will be made according to needs of the elderly, based on social worker’s evaluation, not on a first-come, first-served basis.
The beneficiaries will be notified by his/her designated DECC and he/she should go to the designated centre in person within a specified time period to redeem a designated smartphone and a mobile SIM card. User training will also be offered by DECC.
- The beneficiaries will be notified by his/her designated DECC and he/she should go to the designated centre in person within a specified time period to redeem a designated smartphone and a mobile SIM card.
- The staff or volunteers at DECC will activate the smartphone and mobile SIM card. User training will also be offered by DECC so that the beneficiaries will be able to learn the practical skills in using smartphone and mobile applications. The “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile application will also be pre-installed by the mobile network service providers for the elderly’s convenience.
One of the objectives of this project is to enhance elderly’s capacity in using digital technology. Therefore, it is compulsory for the beneficiaries to collect the smartphones and mobile SIM cards at the designated DECC in person as user training will also be provided on site. If there is any special reason that they cannot attend in person, they can contact the DECC for handling.
Given the limited supply, the beneficiaries should redeem the designated smartphones and mobile SIM cards.
The smartphones will be distributed to Elderly District Community Centres according to the poverty rate of elderly in each district. The eligible elderly will be referred and assessed by social workers of the Elderly District Community Centre in his/her own district.
Smartphones will be distributed to the beneficiaries through the participating NGOs. Depending on the stock availability, transport and the operational arrangement of the DECCs, beneficiaries will normally be able to redeem the smartphones and mobile SIM cards within two weeks upon receiving the notification. Beneficiaries may also contact the designated DECC for enquiries on redemption arrangement.
The first batch of smartphones will reach the hands of the beneficiaries before 25 December 2021.
The Project will commence in December 2021. A smartphone pack will be distributed to beneficiaries as soon as possible, depending on stock availability. It is expected that the redemption will complete before end of January 2022.
Usage, assistance and follow-up maintenance service
The staff or volunteers at DECC will activate the smartphone for the beneficiaries. User training will also be provided so that the beneficiaries will be able to learn the practical skills in using smartphone and mobile applications.
If any smartphone-related problems are found within the warranty period, the beneficiary could bring the smartphone pack with warranty sticker to the designated mobile repair service providers and mobile network service providers for enquiries and processing.
Only one smartphone will be distributed. The beneficiaries should keep their smartphones properly.
Enquiries
Please call 3507 7800 for general enquiries.
(office hour: 9:00am to 6:00pm on Monday to Friday, excluding Public Holidays)
Funded by:
Jointly supported by:
Partners:
