Children’s Cancer Foundation Embraces the Power of Art and Design in New Community Care Centre

HONG KONG, CHINA -�Media OutReach - 16 September 2019 - The Children’s Cancer Foundation
Lions Clubs
Community Centre opens its doors in September, offering a vibrant new space to further
the Children’s Cancer Foundation’s mission to improve the quality of life for
young cancer patients and their families by caring for their physical, psychological
and social well-being. The foundation’s existing Rehabilitation Centre in Pak
Tin Estate is set to close by (end of September) due to redevelopment plans.

 

Redefining the standard of care
centres in Hong Kong, the new Children’s Cancer Foundation Lions Clubs
Community Centre in So Uk Estate, Kowloon, does not just focus on function
and utility, but also uses art and innovative design to complement and enhance programmes.
Research has shown that incorporating visual and performing arts in healthcare
environments is effective in reducing sickness, anxiety and stress[1],
thus forming a more holistic environment for healing. In line with these
findings, the design of the centre, of which the renovation
is supported by funding from Lions Clubs International District 303 — Hong Kong & Macao, China, embraces the power of art therapy
in the design of all facilities, from staff work spaces to corridors to the pantry.
Every wall is decorated with colourful artwork and murals by local artists and
the children themselves. This special, gallery-like experience has been arranged
specifically to inspire a “can-do” attitude in patients and their families. The
centre brings together beautiful yet simple art pieces and creative programmes
to create a safe space for patients to express themselves and find comfort and
motivation to stay strong and positive throughout their treatment.

 

Colourful artwork and murals by local artists and the children

The new centre is designed to accommodate
the Children’s Cancer Foundation’s wide variety of services that cater to children
of all ages undergoing cancer treatment or during the recovery stages. The
facility houses a revamped classroom called the Sunshine School
for academic programmes and art classes funded by the United Overseas Bank in Hong Kong,
a playroom for children and their parents to forget their troubles and have
some fun, a youth corner for the young adults to relax and ocialize, a
fully-equipped kitchen for cooking classes, intimate interview rooms for
counsellors to hold sessions with patients and their parents, as well as a 600
sf. Multifunction room that can be transformed into a dance hall, a yoga
studio, a lecture theatre, or a party room.

 

In creating a beautiful place for
relaxation, learning and self-expression for patients and their families, the centre
also provides a conducive environment for staff to contribute to this vision.
The open office layout and flexible amenities such as the smart TV and multifunctional
kitchen, which also serves as both a meeting space and learning centre, help
foster a more creatively-driven work environment and a stronger bond among
staff, which is then extended to visitors. Sound-proof facilities are also
available to ensure that due attention is given to every patient and that
privacy can be maintained for sensitive cases.

The multifunction
room in the new centre can be transformed into a dance hall, a yoga studio, a
lecture theatre, or a party room

Furnished with bright-coloured sofas and paintings, the waiting area can be used by children and parents to relax and mingle

Tony Ho, Chairman of Children’s
Cancer Foundation, says, “We are delighted to be bringing a new level of care through
our brand-new centre, the Children’s Cancer Foundation Lions Clubs
Community Centre. We have been able to create a unique
space that is focused on both the physical and mental healing of young cancer
patients, drawing on the powerful impact of art, creativity, and social
activities on the recovery process. We hope that this space comforts, motivates
and inspires all those who visit and work here, and can help improve the
quality of life of our patients and their families.”

 

Since its establishment in 1989,
Children’s Cancer Foundation has been dedicated to helping doctors to improve survival rates of children with cancer through the sponsorship of
expensive drugs, researches, diagnostics and clinical tests. The organisation works with an extensive network of doctors, nurses
and healthcare
professionals to provide professional and holistic
psychosocial services
for childhood cancer patients in Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, major
public hospitals, as well as outside the hospitals. These services include
family counselling, clinical psychology, Child Life (formerly hospital play),
palliative and home care, long-term follow-up services, rehabilitation and
half-way homes.

 

Children’s Cancer Foundation relies
solely on donations from the community to support ongoing services and
programmes. It established the Children’s Palliative Care Foundation in 2018
with the aim of extending palliative
home care services to serve more non-cancer patients with life-threatening and life-limiting diseases.

 

Please click here for high-resolution images.

 

Learn more about the work of the
Children’s Cancer Fund here: www.ccf.org.hk