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CommunityQuest Community Engagement Reward Scheme – Latest Project Update

LifeSwap: A Cross-Generational Exchange

Organised by a student team from IVE Higher Diploma in Public Relations and Communication Management, the "LifeSwap: A Cross-Generational Exchange" project showcases heartwarming stories of encounters and connections between two generations through the filming and production of videos. 

The gap between different generations is inevitable, as observed by the IVE team. They therefore aimed to apply their knowledge of public relations and communication to build a bridge for dialogue, foster understanding and communication between the younger generation and the elderly, and promote "intergenerational inclusion" by breaking down existing negative stereotypes.

In recent months, elderly participants and young people engaged in each other’s activities, taking photos and documenting moments where they experienced each other’s daily lives together, such as taking photo booth pictures, playing claw machines, exercising, and walking dog, while sharing the challenges they faced and their perspectives on handling life matters. Through interaction and time spent together, both generations gradually built rapport and even unexpectedly became great partners.

The project concluded with a sharing session, where seniors from the Christian Family Service Centre True Light Villa District Elderly Community Centre gathered with IVE students to share their experiences. The event also featured the premiere of the exchange videos. The elderly also visited the campus, reliving the joyful memories of their student days while gaining insight into the campus life of the new generation. The initiative left behind meaningful and unforgettable memories of intergenerational dialogue.

3D Printed Tokens of Remembrance Workshop 

Students from the Diploma of Vocational Education (Mechanical Engineering) at Youth College partnered with the Comfort Care Concern Group (CCCG), a social welfare organisation specialising in bereavement counselling, to host the "3D Printed Tokens of Remembrance" workshop for CCCG members grieving the loss of their pets. Applying their VPET skills, the students crafted personalised 3D memorial models of the departed pets. Prior to the workshop, students collected photographs of the pets provided by the members. Students then utilised AI application platforms and 3D printing technology to accurately recreate the adorable expressions of these beloved companions from their past.

On the event day, students brought four 3D printers into the community and patiently guided participants in using the printing platforms to co-create 3D name tags for their departed pets. With the assistance of CCCG art tutors, each piece became a unique and precious keepsake. Through these 3D models, pet owners felt as if they were reconnecting with their lost companions, transforming their grief into endless remembrance and affection, which ultimately brought them profound emotional comfort.

StepUp Growth

"StepUp Growth" is an online platform jointly designed and developed by IVE Childcare, Elderly and Community Services (CECS) Discipline Higher Diploma in Special Child Care and Inclusive Education, Higher Diploma in Child Care and Education and the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT) Higher Diploma in Cloud and Data Centre Administration. It fully leverages the cross-disciplinary skills and practical application strengths of VPET. The platform was developed with reference to child development observation and assessment indicators, and aims to provide a supportive tool for children, parents, and educators to facilitate early identification of children’s developmental status.

The platform not only supports early identification but also encourages parents and educators to actively adopt digital assessment methods to promote children’s healthy growth and holistic development.

To enhance the platform’s functionality and user experience, the project team previously conducted interviews with frontline professionals from the community partner Heep Hong Society, gaining in-depth insights into their views and suggestions on the design and practical application of the platform. Based on this feedback, improvements were made to ensure that "StepUp Growth" better meets real-world needs.

Farm to Table: Little Pioneers  

Students from the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Culinary Arts and Management at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) recently collaborated with the Hong Chi Association - Hong Chi Pinehill Integrated Vocational Training Centre, German Pool (Hong Kong) Ltd., and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) to launch the "Farm to Table: Little Pioneers" project. Applying their professional culinary knowledge, THEi students led youth with special educational needs (SEN) from the Hong Chi Association to co-develop and promote delicate soft meals. The initiative aims to help SEN youth acquire cooking skills and integrate into society, while simultaneously providing a more dignified dining experience for the elderly with swallowing difficulties, fostering intergenerational harmony.

The project featured a variety of enriching experiential workshops. THEi students first took the SEN youth to visit a local hydroponic farm to learn about the cultivation technology behind fresh local produce. The two groups worked together to utilise the hydroponic vegetables and take reference from the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework to co-develop and cook exquisite Care Food, including pumpkin soup, risotto, and chocolate mousse. Subsequently, THEi students visited the Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service Tsing Yi Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, where they personally cooked and served these nutritious and smooth-textured dishes to the elderly and guests from partnering organisations. The event not only allowed the elderly to rediscover the joy of dining but also enabled the SEN youth to build confidence through practical experience, fully demonstrating the power of VPET skills in giving back to the community.

[Photo 1] Mr POON Kwok-choi (left), a senior participant, exchanges roles with Oliver WONG (right), student from IVE Higher Diploma in Public Relations and Communication Management, to experience popular pinball machine among young people.

[Photo 2] The team holds a sharing session at IVE (Kwun Tong), inviting Mr Tim TIU (fifth from left), Head of Service of the Christian Family Service Centre True Light Villa District Elderly Community Centre. Dr Fanny CHAN (fourth from right), Principal of IVE (Kwun Tong). Ms Vicky CHAU (third from right), Chief Community Engagement Manager of VTC along with a group of seniors to attend.

[Photo 3] Youth College students from Diploma of Vocational Education (Mechanical Engineering) and members of the Comfort Care Concern Group co-create personalised pet name tags using 3D printing software.

[Photo 4] The "3D Printed Tokens of Remembrance" workshop crafts heartwarming 3D memorial models for those grieving the loss of their beloved pets. 

[Photo 5] The team from HKIIT Higher Diploma in Cloud and Data Centre Administration introduces the features of “StepUp Growth” to community partner Heep Hong Society.

[Photo 6] A group photo of the teams from HKIIT Higher Diploma in Cloud and Data Centre Administration, IVE CECS Higher Diploma in Special Child Care and Inclusive Education, and the Higher Diploma in Child Care and Education, together with Ms Shirley WONG (fifth from right), Centre-in-Charge of Heep Hong Society Ma On Shan Centre.

[Photo 7] Students from the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Culinary Arts and Management at THEi act as mentors to SEN youth from the Hong Chi Association - Hong Chi Pinehill Integrated Vocational Training Centre, utilising local hydroponic vegetables to prepare nutritious and delicate soft meals. 

[Photo 8] The "Farm to Table: Little Pioneers" project promotes the values of caring for the community, intergenerational harmony, and the concept of "inclusive dining". 

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