YMCA and Arup Train Secondary Students to ‘Plan Ahead’ Using Drone Technology and Green Design.”
With extreme weather on the rise, we have joined forces with our “Y-Care CSR Scheme” Partner Arup for the “Preparing for the Rainy Days: Lions-YMCA Junk Bay Youth Camp Revitalisation Project”. This project brought secondary school students to the Lions – YMCA Junk Bay Youth Camp to learn about landslide prevention and eco-friendly "Nature-based Solutions". Blending classroom theory with hands-on tech, the students used drones to survey the campsite, analyse its landscape, and brainstorm their own practical designs to make the site safer, more resilient, and greener.
Ms. Jessica Shiu, our Assistant Chief Officer, shared: “This is our fourth project with Arup, and every time, their team starts by really listening to what we need. They then draw on the skills of their colleagues to design the programme together, making sure it benefits everyone involved—the students, the public, and us. This time was no different. Sharing the sustainable concept of ‘Nature-based Solutions’ and real-world knowledge about slope engineering was incredibly down-to-earth and useful for the participants.”
Ms. Theresa Yeung, Managing Principal, East Asia, Arup, added: “This collaboration with YMCA gave us a fantastic opportunity to bring Nature-based Solutions to life for students. They were able to get out into a real landscape, which sparked their own ideas on how to prevent landslides and made the lessons stick. Our volunteer team was with them every step of the way, and we hope we have planted the seeds of sustainability in their minds, inspiring them to become future guardians of their community.”
The five-month journey brought together 25 secondary school students between September and October 2025. Their training covered everything from flying drones and learning about “Nature-based Solutions”, slope management to on-site inspections, all guided by Arup’s corporate volunteers. The students then worked in groups to create revitalisation plans for parts of the campsite, building 3D models of their ideas with mentorship from six university student volunteers from The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. The programme culminated in a final presentation and awards day in February. The Best Performance Award was shared by two teams from ELCHK Lutheran Secondary School and our Siu Sai Wan Centre, while the Outstanding Performance Award went to the team from the Hin Keng Centre. The initiative has clearly sparked an interest among the students in surveying and urban planning, helping nurture a new generation of talent for building sustainable cities.
Introductory Offer: Your first counselling session for just $125
Our Counselling Unit is committed to a person-centred approach, providing professional psychological counselling services to support the holistic development of our service users. To celebrate our 125th anniversary this year, we are pleased to introduce a limited-time offer. New service users can experience their first session for the special price of $125. Let our professional team support you in addressing your psychological needs and embracing growth and change in your personal and family relationships.
Offer Period: Effective immediately until 30 April 2026
Services include:
- Personal and Family Counselling
- Clinical Psychology Assessment and Therapy for Children
- Youth Emotional Support Programme
- Support Programme for Helpers and Carers
Please note: This offer does not apply to Clinical Psychology Services, Pre-marital Counselling, or Child Play Therapy.
For enquiries: 2332 4899 or 9052 5745 (WhatsApp)
YMCA hostels achieve further success with recognition from the industry and guests
Our hostels have once again achieved outstanding results, receiving significant awards from our partners and international booking platforms. This is a strong testament to our teams’ excellence in service quality and market performance, as they continue to provide guests with a high-quality accommodation experience.
The Cityview distinguished itself with an excellent score of 8.5 out of 10, earning the “Traveller Review Awards 2026” from the globally renowned platform Booking.com. Based on consistently positive guest reviews over the past three years, this award reflects the high regard for the hotel’s facilities, value for money, and overall service experience, further validating the team’s dedication and hard work.
Meanwhile, The Harbourview was honoured with the “2025 Travel Best Partner Award” by HUA MIN TOURISM Reservation Co Ltd. The award recognises the hostel’s outstanding performance in sales, service quality, and market collaboration, highlighting the strong partnership and shared commitment to delivering excellent travel experiences.
Adjustment to One-Year Ordinary Membership (Individual) Fee
Effective from 1 April 2026, the fee for a One-Year Ordinary Membership (Individual) will be reduced from $30 to $29. This adjustment applies only to the one-year membership term; fees for other terms (such as three and five years) and for all other membership types will remain unchanged. Please note that our online membership application system will be updated with the new fee on the same day.
Multi-ethnic volunteers bring festive joy to the deaf community, fostering inclusion*
An inclusive volunteer service day was held in February 2026, bringing together 26 multi-ethnic and local youths from our Lam Tin Centre, Jordan Centre, Chai Wan Centre, Tin Shui Wai Tin Ching Centre, and Tin Shui Wai Tin Chak Centre, as well as the Brilliant Multicultural Centre. In partnership with the Y’s Men’s Centre for the Deaf, they shared Chinese New Year blessings with 19 deaf members. The youth volunteers began their day at the Lam Tin Centre with training, a simple sign language lesson, and preparing materials. In the afternoon, they joined the deaf members to play games, create festive crafts, and distribute goodie bags. Through this interaction, they broke down communication barriers and fostered understanding and connection between different cultures and communities.
The event strengthened collaboration between multi-ethnic and local youth, nurturing their empathy and care for the hearing-impaired and deaf communities. Subikshaa, a participant from the Lam Tin Centre, shared: “It was my first time interacting with deaf people, and I was worried it would be hard to communicate. But by using simple sign language and drawing, we were able to connect smoothly. It was a really special and valuable experience.” The deaf members also expressed their gratitude for the youth volunteers’ companionship and thoughtful gestures, which added extra warmth to the festive atmosphere. The event allowed the young people to appreciate the value of inclusion and contribute to building a more welcoming community.
Hong Kong Olympian shares dream-chasing journey to inspire youth
Faced with the pressure of choosing senior secondary subjects and planning for further education, students often feel lost and stressed. In support of the Education Bureau’s “4Rs Mental Health Charter” (Rest, Relaxation, Relationship, Resilience), we were pleased to support a Joint School Seminar to promote student mental wellbeing. This seminar under The Jockey Club Sports PLUS Elite Athletes Community Programme (Sports PLUS) was organized by the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. It features Mr. Felix Diu, a Hong Kong track and field representative in the Olympic 100m sprint, as the guest speaker, where he shared his heartfelt and inspiring life story, encouraging students to face pressure positively and bravely pursue their dreams. Through his own perseverance and breakthroughs, he inspired students to understand the power of “taking one step forward.”
The talk was held on 6 February 2026 at the Chinese Y.M.C.A. Secondary School with several other schools participating. The finale, a “Challenge the Sprinter’s Reaction Time” contest, brought the excitement to a peak, giving everyone a chance to interact and compete with the elite athlete up close. Through this event, students not only felt a wave of positive energy but also understood that breakthroughs often begin with the courage to take the first step, injecting new motivation into their academic journey for the year ahead.
YMCA expands Walking Football to the Greater Bay Area, promoting a healthy "golden age" lifestyle
As part of our “Connecting Hearts” Greater Bay Area social service projects, the “Guangzhou Walking Football Pilot Scheme” has completed its first coach training course at the Guangzhou YMCA. The course successfully helped participants obtain internationally recognised coaching qualifications, marking a significant step in the YMCA’s expansion of Walking Football into the Greater Bay Area.
In late January, our colleagues led a two-day intensive training course for 19 participants from the Guangzhou YMCA, the Y’s Men’s Club, and long-term volunteers. The training covered the philosophy of Walking Football, its rules, coaching techniques, and practical demonstrations, preparing the first group of Walking Football promoters in the Guangzhou area.
Looking ahead, the programme will continue to offer referee training courses to progressively build a comprehensive training and certification system. The aim is to use this sport, which is particularly suitable for the “golden-aged” and elderly, to promote the physical and mental wellbeing of participants, strengthen cross-city and cross-community connections, and inject new vitality into a healthy and inclusive lifestyle across the Greater Bay Area.
As city dwellers who often work overtime and frequently perform repetitive motions, we are more susceptible to joint pain or sports injuries that can affect our quality of life. The Association’s Health Care Professions Department is launching a regular monthly column and publishing short articles about self-care. Topics covered will include arthritis, joint pain and self-healing. For more detailed health-related information, please visit our website: hcp.ymca.org.hk or call 2783 3616for inquiries.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition characterised by a sharp pain in the sole when pressure is applied—particularly when stepping out of bed in the morning, prolonged standing and walking.
The plantar fascia is a fibrous band of tissue that connects the heel bone at the back of the foot to the metatarsal bones in the front, supporting the foot arch. If the plantar fascia is overstretched over time, it can become strained and damaged, potentially causing pain in the sole that affects daily activities such as walking. People with flat feet, high arches, leg length discrepancies, people who frequently wear high heels for extended periods and those whose jobs require prolonged standing or heavy lifting are all more prone to developing plantar fasciitis.
Tips for Prevention and Daily Care
- Reduce pressure on the feet, e.g. avoid prolonged walking, minimise carrying heavy objects and maintain a healthy body weight.
- Select shoes that are comfortable, moderately firm, and have good shock absorption.
- Use appropriate insoles to improve arch support and the structural function of the foot joints, effectively relieving symptoms.
- Avoid wearing high heels.
Exercises
Deep Intrinsic Foot Muscle Training
Sit on a chair with your feet placed on a towel on the floor. Keep your heels on the ground at all times.
- Use your forefoot to scrunch the towel while keeping your toes flat on the floor.
- Grip the towel firmly with your toes, lifting the foot arch, then release. Repeat 30 times per set.
Plantar Fascia Massage Exercise
- Roll the inner sole of your foot over a firm round object (E.g. tennis ball), focusing on painful areas. Continue for 5–10 minutes.
125th Anniversary Commemorative Video: The Bridges Street Centre – Birthplace of a Century of Hong Kong New Literature
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