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 Working at the carwash |
HONG KONG POLICE have taken the lead in
providing more employment opportunities for the mentally handicapped as well as boosting
their sense of self-esteem and helping them feel a part of the community.
The response following the publication of an OFFBEAT article on the provision of car wash service from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong's Kwun Tong Sheltered Workshop that's turning Kwun Tong Police Station officers' dingy private vehicles into clean machines was so encouraging that more than 10 police stations have taken the initiative to contact the Association for the car care service. |
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To date, over 30 officers from Kwun Tong Police Station are using the Workshop's car care service on a regular monthly basis. Officers from Tseung Kwan O Police Station have also opened their gates to workers of the Association's Jockey Club Building Workshop, as have personnel from Cheung Sha Wan Police Station opened their pocketbooks to workers from the Association's Lei Cheng UK Sheltered Workshop. At all stations, management is very supportive of the idea of providing more job opportunities for the mentally handicapped, and posters promoting the enterprise have been put up encouraging more officers to use the car wash service. There are 46 sheltered workshops in Hong Kong with more than 15 providing the car wash service. | |
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All car wash and wax clients have been totally satisfied with the three sheltered workshops employees' excellent work and friendly service. Sponsored by the Government, the workshops offer employment opportunities for mentally challenged adults and those recovering from psychological illnesses who are otherwise unable to obtain employment in the competitive labour market. Team members are trained to provide car cleaning and waxing service on site at hospitals, schools and other community associations. |
 A new lease on life. Sheltered Workshop cleaners and waxers get down to business in a police station car lot |
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Due to the distance (and in some cases remote locations) of several police stations from the Association's three workshops, many of the stations wanting to utilise the car wash service are being referred to the sheltered workshops of other voluntary agencies which include: Hong Chi Association, St James's Settlement, Wai Ji Christian Service, Po Leung Kuk, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong and Steward's Company (Hong Kong) Ltd. The service provided by these voluntary agencies is also well-received. Said Lok Chun Kei, ADVC Administration, Lei Muk Shue Police Station: "Eighteen officers from our station are using the car wash service from workshop workers of Steward's Company. Overseen by an instructor, their six-member team cleans the vehicles one after the other in very short time. I highly recommend their service to other colleagues. We are impressed by the efficiency of the workers and also very satisfied with their service." These feelings are reciprocal. Said Leung Man-cheung, Assistant Manager of Ho Ping Sheltered Workshop of Wai Ji Christian Service, whose car wash team provides service to officers at Yuen Long Police Station: "Officers there are very friendly to the workers, providing them with buckets and lockers. Our workshop people are happy and proud to be working for the police." The fee for the service is very reasonable. The one-month package (including wash and wax) is $300. Officers who have their cars cleaned and waxed on a one-time basis are charged $70. To learn how your station can employ a car wash team from a sheltered workshop call Wu Shing-choy on 2343-3391. | |
