In 1993 Mr David Nesbitt secured a grant from the QE Foundation to set up an initial service for English speaking adults with intellectual disabilities. And so The Nesbitt Centre was born.
The Nesbitt Centre’s care philosophy focuses on abilities, not disabilities. The Nesbitt Centre encourages students with a wide range of cognitive abilities to grow by providing opportunities to learn, experience and reach their full potential in life.
To drive its long term goal as an excellent provider of services for people with disabilities, The Nesbitt Centre has set forth its focus to pursue these four strategic directions:
* Develop and support their excellent staff so that they can continue to deliver top quality programmes
* Focus on their unique value proposition of skills-to-training-to-jobs by creating opportunities to develop capabilities and allow their students to realize their full potential in society
* Increase their community impact through expanded partnerships with other NGOs, business, academia and government
* Broaden awareness of TNC and of the role of people with special needs, through active communications and engagement with government, NGOs, media, parents and customers of their social enterprises
Headed by its founder David Nesbitt, the board is formed by a group of local executives who together bring in a wealth of rich knowledge and expertise in various industries and professions. They meet regularly to provide directions to sustain growth and expansion of the organization.
What you can do to help
Volunteer your Time: Volunteers come to The Nesbitt Centre from many different walks of life – those who have lived in Hong Kong for many years with family grown up and time on their hands, school students looking to gain credits such as CAS points, AYP credits and as a part of their Make a Difference Week, Work Experience, Job Shadowing experiences etc. Those returning to Hong Kong for their holidays, and others new to Hong Kong looking for something different and worthwhile to fill their time
There are many ways you can volunteer with The Nesbitt Centre. The Nesbitt Centre can put your time, talents services and products to use to benefit their students whilst having fun in the process. Some may volunteer for a day a week, for a few weeks and there are those who have been volunteering with the Nesbitt Centre for a great number of years!
The Nesbitt Centre’s volunteer program has taken on a much more structured format with new volunteers receiving a handbook / induction pack outlining their organization and what is expected from them as a volunteer. There is also a section for them to record the hours worked with the Nesbitt Centre and the activities they have taken part in. Those joining The Nesbitt Centre from schools also receive feedback from the Nesbitt Centre to their teachers / tutors.
If you are interested in volunteering, please follow this link to complete their online form.
Internship Programme: The Nesbitt Centre offers an internship programme for both local and international students. They currently have students in the fields of Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Speech and Language Therapy and Psychology interning with them.
The Nesbitt Centre involve their interns in a professional mentoring relationship built between an intern (the mentee) and an experienced staff member (the mentor). Whilst the interns may be experienced in some areas of operation, their mentoring program ensures that they have all the tools, resources and support needed to maximize their success not only in their first few weeks but during their ongoing internship. The Nesbitt Centre provides as much opportunity as possible through observation, coaching, guiding and hands-on experience so that their Interns gain an in-depth understanding of The Nesbitt Centre and feel competent in starting their internship with us.
Interns benefit from the program as they quickly expand their skills, knowledge, and experience within the internship period, develop strong communication and leadership skills, align good networks and contacts across the NGO sector, and in general, are better equipped to work in the special needs community.
This program is also aimed at encouraging young people to work in the disability field by giving the opportunity for Interns to have a real life experience and to grow their careers and / or continue their studies in this sector.
If you are interested in interning, please download and complete the form here.
For more information, please email info@nesbittcentre.org.hk
Tags: children, disability, disabled, education, Hong Kong, internships, local community, social enterprise, volunteering
In commemoration of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), the Gala Dinner will celebrate and recognise the exceptional dedication and accomplishments of individuals, companies and organisations in promoting LGBT+ equality and inclusion in the Hong Kong workplace and community. Community Business will announce the results of the LGBT+ Inclusion Index and reveal the winners of 5 LGBT+ Inclusion Awards. Expect a fundraising dinner including networking reception and dinner, with award ceremony and silent auction DRESS CODE Black Tie with a Flair of PRIDE!
