Pass on Mediation Services, Collaborate for Harmony

Following the successful completion of the three-year “Family Constructive Dispute Resolution Centre” in January 2024, the Society continues to provide family mediation services, supporting divorced families in resolving disputes. Through mediation education and training, we equipped individuals of all ages with mediation skills for everyday conflict resolution. We actively trained professional family mediators and peer mediators and offered free online family mediation training, aiming for promoting a culture of harmony across various sectors.

The Society participated in the Hong Kong Legal Week 2024, introducing the development of family mediation services to the legal sector and the public, and seeking collaboration to foster harmony. Looking ahead, we will continue to enhance our professional services and expand the impact of mediation, creating an inclusive and progressive environment for families and the community.

Launch Two Mediation Projects to Help Families Resolve Disputes Harmoniously

In July 2024, with support from The Community Chest, we launched the “Sunshine in Families - Project on Mediation Education and Services” to provide subsidised mediation services for the sandwich class and bring together professional lawyers and family mediators. Through training and practical service, we embody the spirit of “helping others to help themselves”.

In October 2024, with support from the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau through the Community Care Fund, the Society launched the “Maintenance Mediation Pilot Scheme”, offering free mediation services to financially challenged families to reduce disputes over maintenance and divorce, prioritising the wellbeing of children. A dedicated working group was formed to establish collaboration mechanisms with mediators, ensuring the public receives diverse and high-quality services. Both projects are committed to promoting family harmony through mediation.

Promote Co-parenting, Support Divorced Families, and Foster Professional Exchange

This year, the Society organised a variety of themed groups and workshops for divorced parents in need, including “How to Help Children Cope with Parental Separation” and “Co-parenting Group: Two Happy Homes for Children”, promoting the concept of child-focused co-parenting and enhancing their co-parenting skills. In December 2024, we hosted the “Research Release cum Symposium on Divorced Family Support Services”, exploring the challenges faced by different family members during separation. Over 400 cross-disciplinary participants attended, fostering professional exchange in the sector.

Enhance Awareness of the Needs of Divorced Families through Research and Creative Media

The Society’s Family Resource Centre remains committed to a “family-centric” perspective, designing and delivering innovative and comprehensive support services for divorced / remarried / blended families, bridging current service gaps and supporting members through transitions. In partnership with the Hong Kong Baptist University, we conducted a qualitative research 《盼望與力量》 to document the experiences of non-residing fathers, highlighting their efforts in child-centred co-parenting. Additionally, our microfilms《耆．待》and《 家姐日記》vividly portrayed the emotional journeys of grandparents facing adult children’s separation and children coping with parental relationship changes, raising public awareness of the needs of divorced and separated families.

Heal, Rebuild, Consolidate Experience and Provide Evidence-based Support

The Jockey Club “Let Go and Let’s Go” Support Project concluded successfully in December 2024, continuously supporting various members of separated and divorced families to heal from trauma and rebuild trust. Special support groups were designed for grandparents from the families, with participants reporting a better understanding of their grandchildren’s needs and strengthened grandparent-grandchild relationships. Staff were invited by the Taiwan Child Welfare League Foundation to share experiences in supporting grandparents from separated and divorced families. The publication of the “Manual for Separated and Divorced Families” provides valuable reference for the sector and affected families. Through action research, we established the “CNCH Shared Parenting Assessment and Intervention Model” (Coordination, Negotiation, Counselling, Healing), offering a crucial framework for assessing and intervening with high-conflict separated and divorced families.