Where to volunteer and do charity work in Hong Kong
By Stephanie Lown
5 January 2018
| Last Updated 22 May 2020
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Header image courtesy of Kirsten’s Zoo (Facebook)
If you’re looking to get involved in charity work, then look no further. With our guide to volunteering opportunities in Hong Kong, you’re sure to find a way to give back to the community. After all, like Rick Warren said, “The greatest gift you can give someone is your time.”
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Domestic violence prevention
Photo courtesy of Harmony House
Against Child Abuse
Against Child Abuse is a non-government organisation providing both remedial and preventive child protection programmes.
Get involved: Donate. Click here for more information.
Supporting male, female, and junior victims of abuse, Harmony House provides everything from therapy to legal action—as well as a 24-hour crisis hotline.
As the first non-government organisation (NGO) to tackle the issue of HIV/AIDS in Hong Kong, AIDS Concern is an invaluable source of support and protection for victims of the disease, organising everything from charity events to testing services.
Get involved: Donate, corporate partnerships, volunteer. Click here for more information.
Aids Concern, 17B, Block F, 3 Lok Man Road, Chai Wan | (+852) 2394 6677
Hong Kong Aids Foundation
Hong Kong Aids Foundation is a non-governmental social service organisation to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in Hong Kong.
Get involved: Donate, corporate partnerships, fundraising, administrative works, volunteer. Click here for more information.
Hong Kong Aids Foundation, 5/F, Shaukeiwan Jockey Club Clinic, 8 Chai Wan Road, Shau Kei Wan | (+852) 2560 8528
Animal welfare
Photo courtesy of Animals Asia Foundation
Animals Asia Foundation
Working to protect all creatures great and small, Animals Asia Foundation is a large-scale project devoted to all living creatures inhabiting the Asian continent.
Get involved: Donations, Professor Paws Volunteers, Office Volunteers, Behavioural Volunteers, Vet Nurse Volunteers, Doctor Dog Volunteers, Fundraisers
Animal Asia Foundation, Room 1501, Tung Hip Commercial Building, 244-252 Des Voeux Road, Central, (+852) 2791 2225
Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society
On a mission to conserve our city's dolphin, whale, and porpoise population, the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society conducts research projects, works to raise public awareness and campaigns to protect these creatures' habitats.
Get involved: Donations, Volunteers, and Research Interns
Casting its net much wider than the Southside of Hong Kong Island, the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation works to conserve Asian wildlife, with an emphasis on Chinese white dolphins and Giant Pandas and their habitats.
Working to protect the Earth on a local, regional, and global level, the WWF (World Wide Fund) provides education about the issues facing us in Hong Kong, with an emphasis on the pink dolphin and its declining numbers. They regularly host fundraising activities and events to educate the public on environmental issues.
Unfortunately, as a result of the pandemic, there have been a rise in abandonment cases, and shelters across the globe are struggling to make ends meet with the sudden increase in animals they need to accommodate and support. Below are a list of shelters in Hong Kong that focus on re-homing rescued animals from Hong Kong, that would greatly appreciate your help
Catherine's Puppies
Catherine's Puppies, based in Sai Kung, rely heavily on the donations of its supporters, and often help abandoned pups on the road to recovery - if you are unable to foster, you can help with a few small donations which goes towards the medical bills of their rescues.
Founded back in 2003, Hong Kong Dog Rescue (pictured above) operate out of two shelters - one based in Ap Lei Chau for small to medium sized dogs, and one out in Tai Po for their larger residents. They often require dog walkers and kennel keepers to help with the thousands of dogs that they rescue from government facilities and euthanization every single year.
Get involved: Adopt, Donate, Dog walking, Kennel Keepers, Special Skills (e.g. photography, writing, and artwork), Events
Hong Kong Dog Rescue, 21 Ap Lei Chau Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, (+852) 2875 2132 / 6 Shek Lin Road, Tai Po
Hong Kong Paws Foundation (HK Paws)
Hong Kong Paws Foundation is a volunteer-driven organization who help abused, stray and abandoned cats and dogs find homes. They host regular adoption days both on Discovery Bay and Hong Kong island, and often require help with fostering and donations to help support their operations.
Get involved: Adopt, Donate, Fostering, Events, Fundraising
Kirsten's Zoo hosts regular adoption days on Hong Kong Island where they alternate between Cat Adoption Sandays at Pawtners, and Dog Adoption Sundays at Peak Café Bar, where they require dog-handlers every other Sunday between 1:15 - 4:30pm, in addition to fostering.
Get involved: Adopt, Fostering, Donate, Sponsor, Events
Run entirely by donors and volunteers, LAP strives to care for and re-home Hong Kong's homeless animals. They host occasional adoption days throughout Hong Kong, as well as host pop-ups to raise awareness of the charity's operations. Get involved: Adopt, Donate, Fostering, Volunteer, Information distributor
Lifelong Animal Protection, LAP Cat Centre - 11 First St, Sai Ying Pun LAP Dog Centre - 187 Tsuen King Circuit, Tsuen Wan
Paws United Charity (PUC)
The charity has recently opened their Cat adoption centre at The Pulse, but frequently require help with fostering of their rescues. They also host occasional pop ups, adoption days, and events to raise money for their operations and require volunteers on a regular basis.
Get involved: Adopt, Donate, Fostering, Events, Fundraising
Paws United Cat Adoption Centre, Shop 210, The Pulse 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay | (+852) 9130 2919
Sai Kung Stray Friends Foundation (SKSFF)
Sai Kung Stray Friends Foundation are no strangers to rescuing, and upholding animal welfare standards of the animals around the New Territories - one most notable rescue hit headlines in 2018 when they rescued a poor dog, abandoned on a ship during Hong Kong's worst typhoon in decades. SKSFF rely heavily on fundraising to support their work and ytheir rescued pups, and regularly require volunteers to help distribute information and assist at events.
Get involved: Adopt, Kennel Keepers, Fostering, Special Skills (e.g. photography, writing, and artwork), Events, Fundraising, Information Distributor
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
Leading the way for animal welfare in Hong Kong, the SPCA deals with all aspects of animal welfare, yet receives only 1 percent of its funding from the Government. The rest comes from the city's selfless volunteering network.
Get involved: Adopt, Donate, Kennel Keepers, Animal Care Support
TAILS Lantau are an animal organisation, predominantly based in Mui Wo, but host adoption days both on Mui Wo and Hong Kong island. With no physical shelter, they rely heavily on caring fosters to help rehabilitate and house their rescues until they are able to find a home of their own.
Get involved: Adopt, Donate, Animal Care Support, Fostering, Special Skills (e.g. photography, writing, and artwork)
One of the newer shelters in Hong Kong, VKB Lantau are run by passionate volunteers who help run the kennels, from caring for the animals, to rebuilding of the shelters. Currently they are looking for donations - monetary or material to help with the renovations of their shelters - any help is appreciated!
Get involved: Adopt, Donate, Kennel Keepers, Animal Care Support, Fostering, Special Skills (e.g. photography, writing, and artwork)
Photo Courtesy of Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre Hong Kong
Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation
This foundation is committed to preventing, diagnosing, and curing breast cancer, by providing free screenings, among many other services.
Get involved: Donate, Fundraising, Events, Administrative support, Patient support, Special Skills (e.g. proof reading, writing, and translation). Click here for more information
As the largest cancer support organisation in the city, Hong Kong Cancer Fund does amazing work providing advice and support for anyone affected by cancer.
Get involved: Communications, Administration, Design, IT Skills, Volunteering at Special Events. Click here to get involved.
Located next to Tuen Mun Hospital, Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre (pictured above) is a place where cancer patients and their family and friends can relax and get involved with a range of activities to empower them through cancer treatment.
Get involved: Donation, Organise Events, Volunteer at Fundraisers, Administration
Driven by the belief that every child should have access to books, Bring Me a Book (pictured above) has successfully installed over 350 libraries and helped over 128,000 children experience the joy of reading.
Get involved: Donate, Book wrapping, reading to kids and skills-based volunteering
Bring Me a Book, 21/F Greatmany Centre, 109-115 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, (+852) 2127 4533
Changing Young Lives Foundation
The Changing Young Lives Foundation is committed to making their every youngsters' life happy and fulfilling by providing protection, education, and support for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Get involved: Editor, Translator, Designer, Web Publishing, Recreation, Tutoring, Mentoring, Counselling, Escort, Visitor, Fundraiser, Researcher, Promoter, Coach, Trainer, Planner
The Heep Hong Society has a team of internationally trained staff who help children with special needs reach their full potential - as well as providing guidance for families who care for them.
Get involved: Flag Day Volunteer
Heep Hong Society, Units J - L, 10/F, MG Tower, 133 Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong, (+852) 2776 3111
Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children (HKSPC)
With over 3,000 children using HKSPC's facilities every day - from Day Crèche to Family Services Centres - this children's charity is a pillar of strength and support for disadvantaged families.
Established in 2015, the Love 21 Foundation raises money and awareness for Hong Kong's young Down Syndrome community. Through yoga, football, and hiking programmes, Love 21 helps these youngsters lead healthy lives - and meet new friends too.
Pathfinders provide protection for mothers who are the victims of unlawful penalisation when they fall pregnant, with an emphasis on female migrants. It also works to support babies who remain unregistered and live in deprived conditions, to ensure they get a fair start in life.
Get involved: Financial Donation, Playtime, Sorting and distributing supplies, Babysitting, Educator, Trainer, Doctors, Nurses, Midwives
Pathfinders, Unit 2D, Worldwide Centre, 123 Tung Chau Street, Tai Kok Tsui, (+852) 5500 5486
Po Leung Kuk Childcare Services
Supporting children from troubled backgrounds who are in need of a home, Po Leung Kuk Childcare Services provide these youngsters with a safe and healthy place to stay.
Get involved: Teachers, Service Visitors, Escorts, Domestic Cleaners, Domestic Maintenance, Homework Guidance, Translators, Child Care
Providing small group care for children from troubled families, S.K.H St. Christopher's Home offers a whole range of services including pre-primary education, childcare, and psychological services.
Get involved: Specialist Volunteers, Photographers, Video Producers, Graphic Designers, Web Designers, Translators, Database Managers, Physiotherapist, Speech Therapist, Nutritionist
S.K.H St. Christopher's Home, 15/F, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building, 21 Pak Fuk Road, North Point, (+852) 2520 1725
Community
Photo courtesy of HandsOn Hong Kong
HandsOn Hong Kong
HandsOn Hong Kong connects volunteers with ongoing charities and events. Check out the calendar and volunteer for an upcoming event.
HandsOn Hong Kong, Unit A, 9/F, Easy Tower, 609 - 611 Tai Nan West Street, Cheung Sha Wan
Hong Kong Red Cross
The Hong Kong Red Cross works with the community, teaching First Aid - among other skills - with a view to supporting overseas humanitarian projects and providing disaster relief.
Get involved: Donations, Community Service Volunteers, Uniform Groups, Supporting Services, Administrative, Fundraising Ambassadors, Overseas Humanitarian Services
Hong Kong Red Cross, Hong Kong Red Cross Headquarters, 19 Hoi Ting Road, West Kowloon, (+852) 2802 0021
Volunteer Movement
With a clear calendar of upcoming volunteering opportunities, Volunteer Movement (pictured above) hooks up volunteers with ongoing projects, events, and organisations.
Volunteer Movement, Rooms 311-313, 3/F, Tai Hang Tung Community Centre, 17 Tong Yam Street, Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon, (+852) 2234 0100
Disabled and handicapped
Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation
Riding for the Disabled Association Hong Kong
Launched in 1975 by Lady McLehose, Riding For The Disabled (RDA) is a charity organisation which aims to provide therapeutic horse riding for people of all ages with physical and mental disabilities. RDA operates out of two venues in Hong Kong, at the Pok Fu Lam and Tuen Mun Public Riding schools, and is supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and various other charitable donations.
Get involved: RDA is always on the lookout for new volunteers to assist with their lessons by either leading the ponies or side-helping with the riders to help them take part in the lessons. It is not necessary for volunteers to have experience with horses as the centre provides regular training sessions. Get in touch to find out more.
Riding For The Disabled (RDA), 75 Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road, Pokfulam | (+852) 2875 7711 Lot 45, Lung Mun Road, Tuen Mun, North Territories | (+852) 2454 9961, email: [email protected]
Direction Association for the Handicapped
The Direction Association for the Handicapped helps the physically handicapped population engage in society and reach their full potential.
With over one million service and response units for the disabled and chronically ill in Hong Kong and Mainland China, the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation provides invaluable support for this community.
Get involved: Clerical Support, Escort, Personal Care Assistance, Visitor, Event Assistance, Educational Services, Training, Coaching, Corporate Partnership
It's important that our older years are enjoyable and fulfilling - thanks to Helping Hand, the elders of our community can continue to make the most of life in the comfort of suitable housing with care on hand.
Get involved: Fundraisers, Volunteers, Event Volunteers, Donations. Get involved: Click here to become a volunteer
In the event of an emergency, Senior Citizen Home Safety Association is there to help. With the help of volunteers and technology, this 24-hour service ensures emergency attention for the elderly is always available.
Get involved: Donations, Volunteering, Community Engagement, Fundraising, Home Visits, Caring Call
Senior CID is a Hong Kong Social Enterprise, providing senior and or, retired citizens the opportunity to earn an income through pet-sitting. Recruits undergo 30 hours of training with SPCA to learn how to handle a variety of dog types and behaviours to equip them with the necessary skills to care for your pet during the day.
It's no secret that our city suffers from air pollution, increasing health risks as a result. With Clean Air Network on the case, however, it is hoped that Hong Kong's air quality will improve.
Get involved: Circulating the petition, Report Pollution with Twitter Hashtag #hkair, Administrative Support, Design Work, Promotional Material, Translation, Organising Street Petitions, Organising Public Events, Organising Talks with CAN
CAN, 2/F, The Standard Chartered Bank Building, 102-106 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan, (+852) 3971 0106
Friends of the Earth
Committed to conserving our local environment, Friends of the Earth (pictured above) implements environmentally sustainable practices, even things as simple as recycling at a governmental, business, and community level.
Get involved: Donate, Special skills (e.g. website, social media and graphic design). Click here to become a volunteer
Friends of the Earth, Unit 1301, 13/F, Block A, Sea View Estate, 2 Watson Road, (+852) 2528 5588
Greenpeace
Striving to protect the natural beauty of the Earth, Greenpeace tackles everything from pollution in China to the waste produced by the fashion industry in a bid to change our attitude towards the planet.
Get involved: Donate, Create a local campaign, Social Media Support
HKCleanup
If you spend your weekends outdoors or out at sea, trade in your usual hike among the hills for a day cleaning up one of Hong Kong’s beaches—many of which are littered with plastic, everyday litter, and even medical waste.\
Get involved: Sponsor, beach clean-ups across the city. Click here for more information
HKcleanup, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Central | (+852) 2868 5585
Salvation Army
Old clothing lies dormant in cluttered cupboards, taking up unnecessary and already very limited space. Rather than letting your garments go unwanted, consider giving them a second lease of life. The Salvation Army accepts clothes donations, and the government has several garment collection bins across town, with locations listed on Home Affairs Department's website.
With the support of many restaurants, venues, and events in the city, Feeding Hong Kong (pictured above) saves surplus food from waste and redistributes it to those in need.
Feeding Hong Kong, Unit 715–717, Block A2, Yau Tong Industrial City, 17–25 Ko Fai Road, Yau Tong | (+852) 2205 6568
Food Angel
Food Angel rescues edible food from Hong Kong's food industry, creates hot meals from the ingredients and then distributes them to those in need.
Get involved: Prepare meal boxes, Food Donations, Financial Donations
Food for Good
Food for Good works with community organisations to implement measures that prevent waste and redistribute surplus, edible food.
Get involved: Food donations, financial donations, volunteer
Foodlink Foundation
This foundation reduces and reuses the surplus food of Hong Kong's restaurants and hotels, as well as educating and improving the nutritional wellness of those in need.
Get involved: Translator, Coin Counters, Graphic Design, Legal Advice, Photographer, Marketing, Social Media, Data Management, Events Planner, Bookkeeping, Food Donor Referrals, Food Donations, Financial Donations
Amnesty International is the driving force behind the development of human rights across the globe. From fighting the death penalty to reclaiming freedom of speech, the ground-breaking developments this organisation achieves are truly amazing.
Amnesty International, Unit 3D, Best-o-best Commercial Centre, 32–36 Ferry Street, Yau Ma Tei | (+852) 2300 1250
Poverty
Photo Courtesy of Impact HK
American Women’s Association
The American Women’s Association is an international female organisation which contributes to a variety of causes and social groups in the city these women now call home.
Get involved: Volunteer with students, English language tutor, community volunteer programme
American Women’s Association, Office 5, 11/F, Arion Commercial Centre, 2–12 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan | (+852) 2527 2961
Crossroads
Connecting profit and non-profit organisations, Crossroads redistributes surplus resources to those in need, as well as encouraging those in need to get involved in fair-trade. Click here for more information.
Crossroads, 2 Castle Peak Road, Gold Coast, Tuen Mun | (+852) 2984 9309
ImpactHK
ImpactHK organises regular Kindness Walks, food handouts to the homeless, and even make their own Kindness Mats from old and used plastic bags to give to those less fortunate. Keep an eye out on their Facebook page to join these folks at one of their many fundraisers and social gatherings.
Get involved: Donate, Kindness Walk, volunteer
Oxfam
With branches in over 100 countries, Oxfam provides unparalleled relief and poverty support on both a local and global level.
Get involved: Administration, translator, editor, proofreader, designer, fundraising events, donations to Oxfam Shop, Oxfam Shop assistants. Click here to volunteer.
Hong Kong Federations of Women’s Centres promotes gender equality, and help promote the rights and status of Women in Hong Kong, providing the necessary tools and services to help develop women’s confidence, independence, and competence.
Get involved: Run a skills workshop, tutor, admin volunteer, donate, fundraising
The Women’s Foundation aims to create an environment in Hong Kong where all women and girls have the opportunity, support and resources to achieve their full potential. Their efforts include working to increase the number of women in policy and decision-making roles, creating pathways for underprivileged women to be more financially literate and economically stable, as well as raise awareness on the root cause of gender stereotyping.
Get involved: Run a skills workshop, teach English, events management, internship, donate, fundraising
The Women’s Foundation, 9A Chun Wo Commercial Centre, 23–29 Wing Wo Street, Sheung Wan | (+852) 2592 8265
Women Helping Women Hong Kong (WHWHK)
Women Helping Women Hong Kong (WHWHK) is a non-profitable charity organisation which helps fund and implement educational and intervention programmes for those who have experienced violence or abuse in Hong Kong. Their aim is to provide women with the skills and resources to progress from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency.
Stephanie is extremely passionate about animal welfare and conservation. She found herself in marketing after moving to London to pursue a career in Film & TV and ended up building her own start-up to help connect other creative artists in the industry. When she’s not at work or taking her gorgeous pup Lola out for adventures, she can be found playing basketball at Victoria Park.
