Among the 70 Carelinkers present at the inauguration, 34 were recruited by the Cadre early this year, and have completed the basic training for Carelinkers. The Carelinkers took the stage to introduce new members, share experiences of providing peer support over the past three years, and project the way forward.

As a guest of honour of the event, Assistant Commissioner (Personnel) Tang Kam-moon presented certificates of appointment to the new Carelinkers. Expressing appreciation of Carelinkers' commitments to services, he said their volunteer work had drawn the attention of many Force members. For instance he himself looks up the Cadre's "Food for Heart" on Force Noticeboard every week.

Mr Tang also encouraged the Carelinkers to keep up their efforts in providing peer support for their colleagues in need.

Over the past three years the Carelinkers have been providing a variety of services, including sharing experiences with Recruit Police Constables at the Police College, organising Stress Management Workshops at Formations, running the Carelinks Kiosk Roadshow in PSRC, setting up the Carelinks Corner in the Force Library, and uploading "Food for Heart" to the Force Noticeboard. With the new Carelinkers joining its ranks, the Cadre will march forward in the following directions over the next two years:

* Consolidating existing services with a view to improving the quality and quantity of services;

* Enhancing liaison with RPCs by sharing experiences with them and keeping in touch with them after their passing-out with a view to providing other support;

* Launching the Carelinks Helpline service;

* Assisting Force Clinical Psychologists in conducting sessions on critical incident stress management, and

* Looking into the need of introducing new services.

When it came into being, the Cadre set the goal of having a certain number of Carelinkers at each Major Formation so that peer support would be readily available to those in need. At present, a total of 73 Carelinkers are attached to Major Formations, and the Cadre is working hard towards its goal. More information about the Cadre is available on its homepage at http://www.carelinker.hk.

Superintendent Gilbert Wong Kwong-hing, Chairman of the Carelinks Cadre, is pleased with the Cadre's development over the past three years. However, he hopes that the Carelinkers will continue giving their best for a more grand vision. He commented: "Over the past three years we have gone a long way but the destination is still far away and we still have a lot to do. I sincerely hope that we will continue working together for a new era of culture of care within the Force."

Carelinks Helpline

Upon its third anniversary, the Cadre has launched the Carelinks Helpline service, which is tailor-made for Force members. It is essentially a hotline service provided by Carelinkers to promote peer support among Force members and help those in need to cope with emotional problems and stress. Those taking part in the service have completed a 36-hour "Peer Counselling Training Course" and received relevant training in hotline service.

The Carelinks Helpline - 9810-0202 - operates from 7pm to 10pm every Wednesday. The Carelinkers will strictly abide by the principle of confidentiality, and callers may choose not to disclose their names and other personal data.

Assistant Commissioner (Personnel) Tang Kam-moon presenting a letter of appointment to Carelinks Cadre Chairman, Superintendent Wong Kwong-hing

Newly recruited Carelinkers are poised to serve their fellow officers

Carelinkers sharing their experiences of providing peer support within the Force

Carelinkers with their guests at the inauguration ceremony