The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) recently launched two interactive youth spaces, offering young people opportunities to broaden their horizons, develop positive thinking and expand their social networks.

One of these, “Youth Link．Nam Cheong”, serves as an interactive space offering a wide range of activities for young people. Reflecting on her experiences at the centre, a young woman named Winnie said the singing bowl workshop she had participated in was deeply relaxing.

“I found this workshop and this topic are very interesting and new to me. After the course that I have experienced here, you know yourself better and also you will find that life is not only about just work and then going back home.”

Wide-ranging facilities

The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address proposed establishing a physical platform to enhance interaction among “Youth Link” members. Located at Nam Cheong District Community Centre, “Youth Link．Nam Cheong” is being opened in phases, with its Phase I and Phase II facilities already in service.

The venue includes a music room, a dance studio, quiet pods, multi-purpose activity areas and a co-working space, providing young people with opportunities to pursue their interests and connect with others.

“I think the facilities are very helpful,” Winnie remarked. “We can play in a band, dance, and also explore different kinds of themed topics here. If I want to meet a new friend, find a place which is very convenient, or if you want to just catch up, grab a coffee, I would love to pick this place to gather around.”

Dionne Kung, who is Deputy CEO of the centre’s operator, the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, explained that young people aged 12 to 39 can register as Youth Link members through the “HKYouth+” mobile application. This allows them to take part in diverse activities and use all the facilities at the centre.

“By the end of the year, we will launch the final phase of facilities, which comprises creative and cultural exhibition areas and markets for young people to express their creativity and showcase their talent.”

Supporting dreams

Another interactive space dedicated to Hong Kong’s youth is the “HYAB JC Y Cube”. Launched recently by the HYAB, it is supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, which provided $150 million in funding.

Located at Youth Square in Chai Wan, the “HYAB JC Y Cube” includes a cosy lounge area, a “makerspace”, a cooking studio, a reading corner and a video studio. The centre supports Hong Kong youths in exploring development opportunities in innovation and technology, the arts and culture, media production and sports.

Ackie Au, who runs a baking class at the centre, praised the facilities, adding that by sharing her expertise, she hopes to encourage young people to pursue their dreams.

“I can make good use of the time during the lessons to share my baking journey, because I had been a social worker for 10 years. It was such a big surprise also for me that I changed my career from a social worker to a pastry chef. I really want to share those experiences with my students.

“If they have a strong motive or strong goal, there must be a way to support them to meet their goal, but it takes time and courage for them to build up their network.”

Jason Wong, who is Chairman of the centre’s operator, the Y.Elites Association, described the “HYAB JC Y Cube” as a vibrant and interactive space for young people.

“It is a convergence of different themes, allowing youngsters to explore different possibilities. It is also a space that supports youth development, skills enhancement and helps young people implement their own ideas into reality. Looking ahead, Y Cube will focus on the theme of ‘Good Stories of Hong Kong Youth’.”

Since the soft opening of “Youth Link．Nam Cheong” and the “HYAB JC Y Cube” last December, the former has recorded about 4,000 visits and more than 50 activities, with the latter hosting over 60,000 visits and more than 300 activities.

Digital integration

Complementing its physical spaces, the HYAB launched the “HKYouth+” mobile application, which provides a one-stop platform to disseminate comprehensive information on youth development and related activities. Through integrating online and offline resources, the bureau aims to implement policies that better meet the needs of young people.

Under Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Clarence Leung outlined the app’s two main functions.

“One is that our editorial team will post regularly different topics that are of interest to our young people. For example, posts about mental wellness, what to do during a day off, and some arts and culture-related posts as well.

“The second function is that you can find all the activities organised or sponsored by HYAB. We are using online means to reach out to them. From offline means, that will also give us very good feedback for us to organise different events or different programmes for them in the future.”