The Shaw Foundation - The Shaw Foundation Supports Phase 2 of "Silver Shining Project" to Empower Visually Impaired Persons to Care for the Elderly

Funded by The Shaw Foundation ("the Foundation") and implemented by the Dialogue In The Dark (HK) Foundation, Phase 2 of the "Silver Shining Project (陽光老友記·銀光綻放計劃)" has been officially launched. Representatives from government, social welfare, and academic sectors gathered at the launch ceremony to share and exchange insights on this innovative "Inclusive Care Service Model".

To address the growing challenges of social isolation and loneliness among seniors in Hong Kong, the initiative aims to fill critical gaps in eldercare—particularly for homebound seniors, elderly couples living alone, and socially isolated individuals. Through its signature Inclusive Care Service Model, visually impaired "Hope Ambassadors" deliver empathetic companionship and proactive emotional support, easing loneliness among elderly residents while alleviating pressure on frontline social workers.

(from left to right) Ms Peggy Ko, Board Member, Dialogue In The Dark (HK) Foundation Limited; Professor Wong Yu Cheung, Dean, Felizberta Lo Padilla Tong School of Social Sciences, Saint Francis University; Dr K K Tse, Co-founder, Dialogue In The Dark (HK) Ltd.; Ms Cora Chu, CEO, Dialogue In The Dark (HK) Foundation Limited; Mr Fletch Chan, JP, Deputy Secretary for Labour and Welfare (Welfare)1; Dr Chan Wai Man, Raymond, JP, Chairman, The Shaw Foundation; Mr Chong Chan Yau, Chairman, Dialogue In The Dark (HK) Foundation Limited; Ms Diana Kam, CEO, The Hong Kong Society for the Aged; Dr Terry Ming-fung Leung, Director of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan Programme Unit, Oxfam; and Mr Peter Wong, Deputy CEO, Dialogue In The Dark (HK) Foundation Limited, gathering on the stage for a group photo.

(from left to right) Mr Jack Cheung, Hope Ambassador, Dialogue In The Dark (HK) Foundation Limited; Mr Joe Chan, SAGE Chan Tseng Hsi Kwai Chung District Elderly Community Centre Support Team for the Elderly Unit-in-Charge; Ms Tam, Elderly Beneficiary, SAGE Chan Tseng Hsi Kwai Chung District Elderly Community Centre; Ms Shum, Elderly Beneficiary, SAGE Chan Tseng Hsi Kwai Chung District Elderly Community Centre; Ms Diana Kam, CEO, The Hong Kong Society for the Aged; and Mr Peter Wong, Deputy CEO, Dialogue In The Dark (HK) Foundation Limited, sharing on the stage.

(from left to right) Mr Jack Cheung, Hope Ambassador, Dialogue In The Dark (HK) Foundation Limited; Mr. Joe Chan, SAGE Chan Tseng Hsi Kwai Chung District Elderly Community Centre Support Team for the Elderly Unit-in-Charge; Ms. Tam, Elderly Beneficiary, SAGE Chan Tseng Hsi Kwai Chung District Elderly Community Centre; Ms. Shum, Elderly Beneficiary, SAGE Chan Tseng Hsi Kwai Chung District Elderly Community Centre, sharing on the stage.

Over its initial two-year phase funded by the Foundation, the project trained 25 visually impaired Hope Ambassadors and directly supported over 1,000 seniors. Many ambassadors formed profound bonds with elderly residents—offering vital emotional strength in individual cases such as supporting individuals grieving the loss of a spouse or those with limited physical mobility, ultimately helping them rebuild confidence and reconnect with their communities.Building on these meaningful outcomes, The Shaw Foundation is extending its support with a new three-year grant to deepen the impact and broaden its reach:

• Expanded Community Outreach: Extending service coverage and launching a proactive "Noble Companion Scheme" in close partnership with grassroots NGOs to identify and support hidden, hard-to-reach seniors. 
• Leadership & Professional Development: Introducing a structured two-tier training framework, allowing experienced visually impaired ambassadors to step into "Senior Hope Ambassador" roles to ensure sustainable knowledge transfer and mentorship. The initiative also engages youth and active elderly volunteers to foster intergenerational inclusion. 
•  Intergenerational Synergy & Evidence-Based Research: Collaborating with Oxfam and Saint Francis University to conduct empirical impact assessments, aiming to provide valuable data-driven insights for Hong Kong's future eldercare service models. 

Looking ahead, the Foundation remains committed to working alongside community partners over the next three years to foster a warm, inclusive, and dignified environment for Hong Kong’s elderly population.