When medical volunteers found their efforts to provide consultations and counselling services to remote areas in Hong Kong and overseas were having a limited impact, they changed tactics and set up a new organisation.

“So we made a small change, shifting from just medicine to incorporating the arts. We wanted to focus on both physical and mental well-being,” traditional Chinese medicine practitioner Lam Kar-yeung said.

In 2017, Lam and clinical counsellor Jennifer Wong Ming-wai founded Eli Care, a volunteer group that integrates Western and traditional Chinese medicine, clinical counselling, and arts and crafts into its work.

Eli Care has been shortlisted for this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the teamwork category for its efforts to combine diverse expertise to help those in need.

The annual event, jointly organised by the South China Morning Post and property developer Sino Group, honours the achievements of remarkable people or groups whose endeavours might otherwise go unnoticed.

In addition to free medical consultations, which include physical check-ups and medication advice, the group offers activities such as photography and arts and crafts – helping to address patients’ physical and mental needs.

Since 2023, Eli Care has taken part in, organised or co-hosted more than 100 volunteer projects.

The group also works closely with social enterprises, charities, schools, businesses and government agencies to promote community solidarity.

Eli Care’s other activities include distributing meals, mooncakes and basic necessities, as well as organising banquets and trips for underprivileged communities, benefiting thousands of people.

Its programmes range from craft workshops to wellness trips and parent-child cooking classes.

“These events not only provide a recreational and stress-relieving experience, but also promote community integration and mental well-being,” Lam said.

Eli Care also focuses on environmental protection, regularly collecting surplus resources such as food and furniture for donation, and organising beach clean-ups and recycling projects.

The team comprises volunteers from a variety of backgrounds, including healthcare professionals, speech therapists and social workers.

Volunteers also come from a range of backgrounds, including those with visual impairments, children with special educational needs (SEN) and people recovering from mental illness.

“We don’t just rely on ourselves. We’ve trained older volunteers who are mostly retired but still full of energy to help themselves and others,” Lam said.

Eli Care also helps other organisations to train volunteers, enabling them to improve their own lives while serving others.

Separately, the group continues to provide life education to students, sharing volunteer experiences and personal stories to foster empathy and compassion among the younger generation.

Reflecting on Eli Care’s mission, Lam said: “We want to unite the efforts of the community. It’s not about fundraising all the time; it’s about harnessing the power of the community.”

Lam has also been selected as a finalist for the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2024 in the culture category.