"Healing Café" @ Tai Po: Pause and Taking Care of Ourselves
The October “Healing Café” took place at “Quarryside”, a tranquil and relaxing public space in Quarry Bay. Led by Social Worker Andrew, a group of fellow caregivers gathered to share their hearts and build a supportive peer network.
Over food and drinks, participants opened their hearts and poured out the worries and pressures they had been carrying. Andrew introduced everyone to “Solution-Focused” concepts, helping them understand that when facing various challenges, instead of overanalysing the causes, they couldshould embrace three golden rules to find solutions:
- If you can do it and do it well → Keep doing it
- If you can’t do it and have no solution → Don’t force it; it’s okay to pause
- If possible → Break the old and try something new
The most touching moment of the event was when one caregiver candidly shared their difficulties, and fellow caregivers responded with their own successful experiences, encouraging one another. That sense of being heard and understood resonated more powerfully than any advice. At the end of the event, everyone reflected together and encouraged one another: while caring for others, remember to take good care of ourselves first.
Long-term caregiving responsibilities may unconsciously lead caregivers to revolve their entire lives around their care recipients, slowly neglecting themselves and feeling exhausted. “Healing Café” ensures caregivers’ voices are heard and understood. These brief gatherings provide not only relief from pressure, but also allow participants to become companions to one another, bringing warmth and support to their long caregiving journey.
Training Courses for Dementia Care
The training course “Dementia Care One-day Intensive Course” was successfully conducted by our registered social worker Ms. Ally Lam on 24 October. She shared basic knowledge of dementia with around 200 caregivers, including understanding dementia, communication skills, different stages of care and care planning.
JCCPA regularly organises caregiving skills courses for family caregivers and provides effective solutions and support tailored to their needs and challenges, aiming to alleviate their stress and foster mutual understanding.
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Visiting Groups This Month
‐Students from the Healthcare Systems and Policy course, School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
‐Social Work Student, City University of Hong Kong
‐The Foundation Certificate in Physiotherapy Assistant programme, Wui Chung Professional Development Centre (Ma On Shan)