Director’s Foreword

Crafting Reality: Remarkable Progress of Building Momentum from Nothing in 20 Months

Welcome to our official website, where you can follow the heartfelt journey of Miss Lizzie Chan and me as we strive to pioneer elder mediation in Hong Kong. This initiative springs from a deeply personal place—my experience as a caregiver in my own family. It was through this lens of love and responsibility that I recognized the pressing need for compassionate support systems for our elderly community.

I vividly remember our early breakfast meeting, sheltered from the relentless rain, where I encouraged Lizzie to embark on her transformative journey to become an IMI international qualified mediator. In a remarkable display of dedication, she became the first Asian accredited as an Advanced Elder Mediator by EMIN. In just 20 months, through countless early morning discussions and extensive research into elder issues, our shared passion evolved into a mission that connected us with remarkable individuals across public health, academia, mediation, insurance, and finance—all united by a belief in the power of elder mediation.

Our path took us deep into elder community services and care homes, where we witnessed care delivered with compassion and a commitment to the well-being of older adults. We listened to the poignant stories of the elderly and their families, each encounter reminding us of the challenges they face—from the shadows of dementia and caregiver burnout to the harsh realities of elder abuse and family conflicts. Through seminars, workshops, and radio interviews—both in person and via Zoom—we aimed to show how elder mediation can be a lifeline for families in distress.

The response we’ve received has been truly inspiring. Elder service providers and the public have embraced our mission, expressing feelings of enrichment and new possibilities. These affirmations fuel our belief that elder mediation is an essential service, one that deserves to thrive in Hong Kong.

As I reflect on my journey as a primary caregiver, I am acutely aware of the profound challenges that accompany aging. Stepping into the later phases of life brings with it an undeniable truth: frailty and dependence often become part of daily reality. Yet, navigating this chapter doesn’t mean relinquishing autonomy, dignity, or respect.

Our mediation service is dedicated to empowering individuals and their families to sail through these turbulent waters with grace and support. We believe that with the right backing from loved ones, complemented by community services and professional help, it is possible to maintain a fulfilling life in later years.

As the renowned poet Maya Angelou once said, “We are only as blind as we want to be.” Let us not turn a blind eye to the needs of our community members. Equipped with mediation skills, let us embrace the opportunity to foster understanding, compassion, and collaboration. Together, we can create an environment where individuals are honored and cherished, ensuring they live their later years with the dignity they deserve and even thrive during this time. Our mediation service will make a meaningful difference in the lives of older generations, improve intergenerational relationships, and foster cohesive families.

Going forward, our mission is clear: to make elder mediation widely accepted and accessible to all, transforming it into a regular, affordable service for families in need. I invite you to explore this website, engage with our work, and join us in advocating for a compassionate future for our beloved elderly community.

Thank you for your support and for believing in this meaningful journey.

Warm regards,

 

Miss Winnie Chan

Miss Lizzie Chan

夢想工程- 20個月從無到有

歡迎來到我們的官方網站,您可以跟隨我和陳曉彤小姐的心路歷程,見證我們在香港開創長者調解的努力。這一倡議源於我個人的經歷——作為家庭中的照顧者。在愛和責任感的視角下,我認識到我們老年社區迫切需要關懷的支持系統。

我清晰地記得在一個早餐會議,外面正下著滂沱大雨,曉彤被說服踏上她斬新的旅程,成為一名IMI國際認證的調解員。她以非凡的毅力成為首位亞洲區獲得EMIN認證的高級長者調解員。短短20個月間,經過無數次清晨議會和對長者問題的廣泛研究,以我們共同的熱忱,說服了公共衛生、學術界、調解、保險和金融等領域的傑出人士——使他們都相信長者調解的力量。

我們的道路將我們帶入老年社區服務和養老院,在那裡我們目睹了盡心盡力為老年人福祉服務的精神。我們傾聽了老年人及其家庭感人的故事,每次遭遇都提醒我們他們面臨的挑戰——從腦退化症的陰影和照顧者的倦怠,到共同生活的嚴酷現實、老年虐待和家庭衝突。通過講座、研討會和電台訪談,我們旨在展示長者調解如何成為困擾家庭的生命線。

我們收到不少來自長者服務提供者和公眾真正鼓舞人心的反饋,知道我們的使命被認受,其中不少孕育著更豐富人生和新希望。這些肯定加深了我們對長者調解成為基本服務的信念,在香港加以推廣使它蓬勃發展。

回想起我作為主要照顧者的旅程,我深切意識到伴隨老齡化而來的深刻挑戰。邁入人生的後期階段開啟一個不可否認的事實:脆弱和依賴將會成為日常現實。然而,面對這一篇章並不意味著放棄自主權、尊嚴或尊重。

我們的調解服務致力於賦權個人及其家庭,以優雅和互相支持下渡過挑戰不斷的晚年。我們相信,在親人的支持以及社區服務和專業的配合下,有可能在晚年保持充實的生活。

正如著名詩人瑪雅·安吉羅曾說過:“我們只有想盲目時才會盲目。” 讓我們不要對社區成員的需求視而不見。憑藉調解技能,讓我們抓住機會,促進理解、同情與合作。讓我們共同創造一個尊重和珍視個人的環境,確保他們在晚年過有尊嚴地活著,甚至在這些時光中煥發生命活力。我們的調解服務將為老一輩的生活帶來切實的改變,改善跨代關係,促進家庭和諧。

展望未來,我們的使命明確:讓長者調解被廣泛接受,並成為幫助有需要家庭的常規和負擔得起的服務。我邀請您探索這個網站,參與我們的工作,加入我們為心愛的老年社區倡導一個仁愛的未來的行列。

感謝您的支持和對這段有意義旅程的信任。



祝好,



陳詠鳴

陳曉彤

聯合董事

Winnie Chan 陳詠鳴女士
(Director)
Lizzie Chan 陳曉彤女士
(Co-Director)

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