190 High-fliers Awarded Link University Scholarship
190 尖子獲領展大學生獎學金
The Link University Scholarship provides support to students who are the first among three generations of their families to attend a local university. The programme has granted 750 scholarships totalling more than $15 million to university students since its inception in 2015, helping talented scholars expand their horizons through community engagement and internship opportunities. This year, a new batch of 190 scholars was selected on the programme’s interview day by a judging panel comprising representatives from government and related bodies, the education sector, media, the welfare sector and Link.
「領展大學生獎學金」支持家庭三代中首代大學生，2015年成立以來合共資助1,500萬元頒發750個獎學金，並透過社區活動及實習機會等讓他們開拓視野。新一屆190位獎學金得主於評審日選出，33名評審來自政府及相關機構、教育界、傳媒、社福界及領展。
From Participants of the Interview Day
評審日參加者心聲
A student participant
參與評審日學生
“Not only does the scholarship scheme provide financial support to students, but it also helps expand our horizon through internship and exchange opportunities.”
「這個獎學金計劃不單提供資助，亦透過實習機會及交流活動等協助學生開拓視野，十分有意義。」
“The interview participants performed well in various areas, including care for society, self-reflection, communication and teamwork.”
「參與面試的學生在關心社會、自我反省、合作溝通方面都有出色表現。」
Dr Luk Che-chung
Hospital Authority’s Cluster Chief Executive
for Hong Kong East
醫院管理局港島東醫院聯網總監陸志聰醫生
“Since the scholars are not from a privileged background, the scholarship programme can offer them practical help and recognise their efforts in reaching their goals.”
「由於學生家境不算富裕，因此獎學金不但對他們有實際幫助，亦表揚他們朝著目標所付出的努力。」
Leung Kee-cheong
Former principal of the Fresh Fish Traders’ School
鮮魚行學校前校長梁紀昌
Unleashing Dreams via Street Art
塗鴉街舞
闖出一片天
Ronnie Fong (left) and Nam Kwan (right)
方曉龍（左）及關婉怡（右）
Young people like expressing themselves with street art. The “We Are Top Crew” project speaks to this desire, supporting young people as they follow their dreams in street art in a bid to boost their self-confidence and develop their vocational skills. Run by Culture Power Charity Foundation, a start-up charity organisation providing youth services in New Territories West, the project offers young street artists opportunities to showcase their talents and to acquire new skills in event organisation.
Director of Culture Power Charity Foundation Nam Kwan said, “As a new charity organisation with a relatively short service history, we have difficulties in securing funding support. Since ‘Link Together Initiatives’ focuses on NGOs’ abilities to respond to current social problems rather than only on past experience, we decided to seek support in the hope of winning Link’s approval with our creativity and sincerity.”
“In our work we often come across young night drifters, who are seen as being detached from society. Link’s malls located in different communities offer a bridge to these young people, giving them a chance to reconnect with the community by providing them with venues for performance and practice, which is a big help to our project,” she continued.
Kwan referred to the NGO’s most impressive case, in which a skateboard-loving, withdrawn youth, with the encouragement and guidance of its team, changed his ways, and picked up an interest in photography. As a team leader in photography for a street dance contest, he took well-composed photos that caught the eye of a sponsor, and he is now working his way towards becoming a professional photographer.
Regarding the “We Are Top Crew” project, Project Development Officer Ronnie Fong said, “Our overnight outreach team proactively reaches out to youths in ball courts and parks, and breaks the ice with conversation starters surrounding their favourite street art. Supported by ‘Link Together Initiatives’, our project provides training and performance opportunities relating to four street art types – skateboarding, street dance, rapping and graffiti. The training programme consists of three units: pre-event preparatory work, covering event planning, budgeting and proposal writing; event day operations, covering the use of stage equipment; and post-event work such as the editing of event footage and the production of relevant publicity collateral."
Lik Heng, leader of the street dance team, said, “After gaining more opportunities to perform in front of others. I feel more positive with people seeing and showing appreciation for my skills.”
“On completing the training, the young beneficiaries get to put what they’ve learned to use, including showcasing their new skills as well as the artistic talent they have cultivated for years at events staged at Link’s malls. We have volunteers helping at our events, which allows our young beneficiaries to get to know people from different backgrounds,” added Fong.
青年人愛以街頭藝術表達自我，主力拓展新界西青少年服務的初創慈善組織文化動力慈善基金，推出「緣∙天團」計劃，透過為青年人提供展現其藝術才華的機會，以及活動籌辦相關培訓，支持他們於心儀藝術範疇實現夢想，既有助提高自信，又可拓展職業技能。
基金總幹事關婉怡表示：「作為一間新成立的社福機構，我們因資歷較輕淺，尋找資源往往遇上困難。領展『愛∙匯聚計劃』注重機構能否回應到當刻的社會問題多於其資歷，故此我們決定把握申請機會，期望能夠憑著創意及誠意打動領展。」
她說：「街頭青少年或多或少會跟社會有距離或隔膜，領展旗下眾多社區的商場將為青年提供表演試練的場地，讓他們回到社區，對項目很有助益。」
她表示，於過去個案當中，印象最深刻的是看到一名青年最初獨愛踏滑板，不善與人溝通，但在我們的鼓勵及引導下重拾對攝影的興趣，其後更於街舞比賽擔任攝影組隊長，拍出獨特的相片，深獲贊助商讚許，現正以攝影作為職業目標。
有關「緣∙天團」計劃的內容，項目發展主任方曉龍指出：「我們的深宵外展隊會到球場、公園等地方主動接觸青年，以他們喜愛的街頭藝術為話題打開話閘子，藉此建立關係。在領展『愛∙匯聚計劃』的支持下，『緣∙天團』針對滑板、街舞、說唱及塗鴉四項街頭藝術，為項目內的青年提供培訓及表演機會。培訓圍繞活動的籌辦，分為三個單元，包括前期活動策劃、財務預算及撰寫計劃書等前期準備工作，以及涵蓋台、燈、聲等舞台設備應用的操作，最後是活動錄像剪輯及相關宣傳品製作等後期工作。」
街舞組隊長力行表示：「現在多了演出的機會，有更多人看到自己的演出，並表示讚賞及認同，想法更為正面。」
方曉龍說：「完成培訓後，青年將有實踐技能的機會，包括到領展旗下商場表演，把學到的技能及苦練得來的才藝向公眾展現。培訓內容還加入義工服務的元素，讓年青人可跟社會上不同背景的人士接觸。」
"We Are Top Crew"
「緣∙天團」成就「神級團隊」
On the project’s name, Kwan said, “It has a dual meaning in Chinese, denoting both our service area of Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai and Tuen Mun as well as the sense of serendipity that brings our organisation and young people from the community together to build a ‘top crew’ through this platform.”
有關項目名字「緣 ∙ 天團」的意思，關婉怡表示：「『緣 ∙ 天團』頗有文青感覺，且有雙重意思。名字既點出元朗、天水圍及屯門三個服務地區，亦寓意我們以深宵外展方式接觸社區內的青年，是緣份把我們連繫起來，期望透過這個平台成就『神級團隊』，讓青年於藝術方面發光發熱。」
A Life-Changing Opportunity
從街頭回到街頭
街青只要一個機會
Ten years ago, Nam Kwan was serving at a social welfare organisation and Ronnie Fong was a 20-year-old lacking direction. Their paths crossed on the street.
Ronnie was a classic street kid. Without much talent for studying and without solid goals in life, he sometimes worked part-time and wandered the streets after dark. One night, Ronnie fell onto Nam’s radar while street-dancing with his friends. Nam handed over her contact details to this young man while waiting for her bus, since her organisation happened to have job opportunities for teenagers. That’s how their paths were linked by fate.
That first job opportunity offered by Nam turned into a four-year work commitment for Ronnie. In the second year, Ronnie’s attitude started to change. He became more dedicated and responsible, taking up more duties at work. Transforming from a street youth into a leader of two fund-raising teams, Ronnie was satisfied with his new path and was grateful to Nam for the chance to unleash his potential.
Soon enough, Nam and Ronnie came into working together in another organisation. Realising his academic limitations, he told Nam his desire to further his studies and later enrolled in an advanced diploma in psychology and counselling.
Ronnie recently graduated from the advanced diploma programme – a big step for this former street kid. “If it weren’t for Nam, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” said Ronnie.
Though not a registered social worker herself, Nam has worked in different social welfare organisations for over a decade, dedicating her life to youth service. Two years ago, she joined the newly established Culture Power Charity Foundation, where she started the “We are Top Crew” project this year to provide young people with opportunities to showcase their talent in art and support them to realise their dreams in their favourite street art form. “As a start-up organisation, we hope to break out of established frameworks and fill the gaps in youth service with innovative means,” said Nam.
Once again, Nam and Ronnie work side by side with passion and a shared dream. As the organisation’s only employees, they are giving it their best shot despite having few resources. “This is an adventure and we are willing to brave it,” Nam said.
關婉怡（英文名Nam），人稱「阿南」，一直在不同社福機構工作；方曉龍（Ronnie），十年前仍是二十歲的街青，兩人卻在街頭相遇。
Ronnie是典型街青，不擅讀書，缺乏人生目標，偶爾打散工，深宵則在街頭無所事事。那一夜，Ronnie與朋友在跳街舞，被等候通宵車的阿南看見，剛好其服務的機構有工作空缺予青少年，便把聯絡資料遞上。這或許是緣份。
Ronnie笑言：「我將我最青春的時間都給你了！」阿南也大笑。
四年，是Ronnie中學畢業以來打工最長的時間。初期經常失蹤曠工，這種表現早就應遭解僱，但阿南對他就是不放棄。第二年Ronnie態度開始有轉變，愈發投入，又愈來愈有責任心，肩負更多崗位。四年間由街青變成在機構帶領兩隊青少年籌款團隊，Ronnie有很大滿足感，更感激阿南給他機會，發揮自我。
輾轉間兩人又在另一機構共事。從前線帶領青少年到後勤統籌支援，Ronnie發現自己學歷的限制。「就是那一封要用英文寫的電郵」，遂主動跟阿南提出希望進修。Ronnie是一個充滿好奇心又具行動力的男生，心思和觀察力卻又比女生細膩；加上過來人的身份，Ronnie懂得街青的想法。萬事俱備，就欠一個系統將他的經驗整理，於是選上了心理學及輔導的高級文憑。
從中學畢業再踏上畢業禮的舞台，Ronnie花了很大力氣。「沒有阿南，大概沒有今天的我。」阿南則回應：「一切都出於你自己，是你願意踏出這一步去改變。」Ronnie現在繼續就讀大學銜接課程。
阿南雖然不是註冊社工，卻在不同社福機構工作逾十載，心始終繫於青少年服務。兩年前加入新成立的文化動力慈善基金，今年推出「緣∙天團」計劃，期望為青年人提供展現其藝術才華的機會，支持他們在心儀街頭藝術範疇實現夢想。「作為初創機構，我們希望可以打破制度框架，以創新的方法填補社會青年服務的不足。」 機構現時只有阿南跟Ronnie二人，憑著一顆熱誠，抱持著同一個夢，就算缺乏資源也要放手一搏，「這是一場冒險，但我們願意嘗試。」
Empowering Healthy Ageing
大銀教大人 樂齡展身心
Edith Fung
馮笑霞
NGO Big Silver Community specialises in raising public awareness on ageing issues and elderly care. Through print and online media and public engagement events, it strives to advance an age-friendly community in Hong Kong. Edith Fung, the NGO’s Chief Community Development Officer, explains how its new “Big Silver Well-being Community” scheme, sponsored by Link Together Initatives, leverages Link's network to extend Big Silver Community’s service reach.
With staff comprising mainly veteran journalists and social workers, the NGO taps into their professional skills to promote health protection and happiness in old age. Fung said, “Our strength lies in using print and social media to share useful information on health protection and active ageing with the public, including caretakers of different ages and seniors. As part of the ‘Big Silver Well-being Community’ project, we are launching a new monthly publication Big Zine on health protection, which will be distributed at Link’s shopping centres to reach a wider section of the community.”
Of the Big Zine, which she sees as a practical, interesting publication, Fung said, “Supported by lively illustrations, each issue focuses on a particular organ and offers readers health information presented in an approachable format. By providing useful health insights, such as the gradual loss of the sense of taste, the publication helps caretakers better understand seniors’ needs.”
Through community engagement events like book clubs, workshops and talks, Big Silver Community promotes two-way communication between health experts and the public on topics related to health and elderly care. Fung said, “We held health talks in our care station in Yau Ma Tei for members of the public to have direct discussions with health experts, and learn about useful community services. Under this new programme sponsored by Link, we are able to organise health talks and mini expos in various local communities, building on our experience in community engagement. We believe that Link’s extensive network and strong community ties will enable our events to reach more people.”
“Following the publication of each issue, we will organise a health talk in a Link mall or community centre, where members of the public will be able to have their questions answered by health experts and get a better understanding of the health topics featured in that issue. Link’s malls are frequented by residents nearby, we believe that the scheme will help take our health messages far and wide and promote the active-ageing concept in the community.”
On harnessing social media as a communication channel with the public, Fung noted, “We engage Internet-savvy groups by sharing health topics on our social media platforms and inviting nurses and social workers to write columns.”
Apart from offering financial and venue support, Link will also mobilise its staff volunteers to support the scheme. “After completing the training sessions, the volunteers from Link will have the chance to serve at public engagement events to deepen their knowledge of relevant topics, and to act as community ambassadors to promote healthy living.”
The NGO’s message to seniors is that ageing is a natural biological process that is not out of our control. Fung said, “There are actions we can take to manage health, like physical exercise, or eating healthily. By equipping seniors with the proper knowledge and enhancing their awareness on health issues, we seek to help them to take good care of their health and get the most enjoyment out of life.”
Big Silver Community’s Founder Sheds Light on
Ageing Issues
大銀Big Silver 創辦人關注高齡議題
Leila Chan, founder of Big Silver, is an independent journalist covering sustainability issues including waste, urban farming, ageing and palliative care in the community. In 1993, Chan started her career as political journalist and then feature writer. Her bestselling books Food Waste and Death in Hong Kong won the Hong Kong Book Prize in 2012 and 2014 respectively. Her recently released book series Rest In Peace Hong Kong: caring and choices not only has attracted extensive media coverage, but it was also honoured with the Hong Kong Publishing Biennial Awards.
In 2015, Leila co-founded the Big Silver Community to mobilise our society to continuously innovate, experiment on and refine solutions related to ageing through solutions journalism.
大銀Big Silver創辦人陳曉蕾是獨立記者，長期關注可持續發展議題，包括環保及生死教育議題，深切關懷社會。她於1993年入行，曾經報導政治新聞及社會專題；2009年開始獨立採訪，報導發表在各大媒體及出版書籍，探討香港食物浪費問題的《剩食》，以及反思香港人最後一程醫護選擇的《死在香港》，先後獲得2012及2014年香港書獎，《香港好走》系列報導得到第一屆香港出版雙年獎最佳出版及金閱獎。
2015年她創辦慈善機構大銀Big Silver，結合媒體及社會創新，關注香港高齡化，致力促成跨界合作。
大銀Big Silver致力提高公眾對人口高齡化及長者照顧事宜的關注，並通過印刷及社交媒體，以及公眾參與活動，推動長者及年齡友善社區。該社福機構的總社區發展主任馮笑霞表示，全新項目「大人健康社區」獲得「愛∙匯聚計劃」贊助，將充分利用領展的資源，令更多社群受惠。
該社福機構的職員多為資深記者及註冊社工，以其專業所長積極推廣健康樂齡。馮笑霞說：「我們的優勢是透過印刷及網上社交媒體向街坊包括不同年齡的照顧者和長者，分享健康及積極創齡的訊息。『大人健康社區』項目包括每月出版有關健康的小冊《上大人》，並於領展商場派發，讓更多市民獲得這些資訊。」
她形容《上大人》非常實用和有趣：「每期都有清晰的主題，針對不同身體部位，深入淺出帶出讀者親切的健康資訊，插畫很生動。這些報導很有用，像解釋味覺對不同味道的退化程度，讓照顧者更明白長者的需要。」
大銀Big Silver亦有舉辦讀書會、工作坊、講座等社區活動，促進醫護專業與公眾交流健康資訊及安老資源。馮笑霞說：「我們曾在油麻地大人站舉行健康講座，讓街坊和醫護專家面對面討論，得到合用的社區服務。新項目得到領展的支持，我們將利用過往舉辦社區參與活動的經驗，在多個社區舉辦健康講座及展覽會。我們深信，領展的廣泛網絡及深厚的社區聯繫有助把活動帶入社區，接觸更多市民。」
「小冊每月出版後，我們會在領展商場或社區中心舉辦健康講座，讓醫護專家回答公眾提問，加強對該期小冊所介紹議題的了解。領展商場每日有大量居民到訪，將有助健康資訊在社區廣傳，推動活躍樂齡的理念。」
對於利用社交媒體與公眾交流，馮笑霞表示：「社交媒體讓我們跟善於使用互聯網的群體互動，與用戶分享健康資訊，並邀請護士及與社工撰寫專欄文章。」
除了提供金錢和場地贊助外，領展亦會動員義工隊支持該項目。「領展義工於完成培訓後，將有機會參加講座活動，以加深他們對相關議題的了解，並成為社區大使推廣健康生活。」
大銀Big Silver期望向長者帶出一個健康訊息，即身體老化過程，並非完全無法掌控。馮笑霞說：「生活注重運動及健康飲食等，均有助管理健康。我們希望就保健題目提高長者的認知及意識，協助他們享受健康樂齡人生。」
Interview videos about the three new projects and a list of Big Zine’s distribution points will be posted on
Link Together Initiatives’ social media channel:
三個新項目的專訪錄像以及《上大人》派發點將載於「愛∙匯聚計劃」社交媒體專頁:
https://www.facebook.com/LinkTogetherInitiatives/
Forging an Expert Network
專家網絡支持活躍樂齡
Big Silver Community’s work in increasing public awareness and knowledge of health and ageing has benefited from the support of external advisors in various disciplines. Fung said, “With years of experience in producing health publications, we have built a broad network of professionals from the medical field and other disciplines. This has enabled us to give advice to the public on a wide range of ageing-related health topics.”
大銀Big Silver一直推動公眾對健康及人口高齡化的認知，其工作獲得不同領域的專業顧問支持。馮笑霞說：「我們多年來出版健康刊物，因而建立了由醫學及其他專業界別人士組成的網絡，支援我們就活躍樂齡相關議題為公眾提供建議。」
Dream the Impossible
Dream in Silver Theatre
銀齡舞台逐夢
Brenda Chan
陳桂芬
"Inspirational Drama Programme for Elderly”, a new service project funded by Link Together Initiatives, taps into the transformative power of professional theatrical training and performance to help the elderly lead an active life, and build a second career in art. This innovative service project is organised by Arts’ Options, an organisation committed to promoting life education through art activities. The organisation’s director, Brenda Chan, who is also an experienced theatre practitioner, offered her perspectives on unlocking the artistic potential of seniors to help them achieve personal breakthroughs.
Regarding the programme’s genesis, Chan said, “Many seniors may have harboured the dream of becoming an actor when they were young, but never had the chance to realise it owing to family and other reasons. Having contributed so much to society, they should now do more for themselves by living their long-held dream. In my case, I was able to become a professional actor through persistence and dedication. Now I want to help others fulfil their own dreams and become professional actors through theatrical training.”
“Far from being an interest class, our programme targets seniors with passion for drama and grooms them into professional actors and actresses. Stage skills entail practice. As a rule of thumb, for each minute on the stage, one needs to spend one hour practising and rehearsing. The reward will be great for those who make it through the training – the realisation of a lifelong dream and the potential of a fulfilling second career in acting,” she noted.
The programme will reach out to seniors in various districts. Experience workshops will be provided to spark interest in theatre performance. Chan said, “Forty seniors will be selected to undergo seven months of professional training. Upon completion of the training, they will be offered acting roles in theatre productions, and will be able to form their own professional theatre group. In Hong Kong, there are not many theatre groups formed by seniors. Our longer-term goal is to see our group members take up roles in the productions of other theatre groups, and embark on exchange opportunities with elderly theatre groups in other countries.”
On the NGO’s partnership with Link, she said, “We are glad to have Link, a company with strong roots in the community, as our partner for this project. Link is one of the very few organisations in Hong Kong willing to give so much to community projects. Link’s extensive service network and understanding of community needs will be a great support to our objectives. Through public performance, and the chance to start a theatre career, we hope to better connect seniors to the community.”
“Seniors often underestimate their abilities and refrain from taking up new challenges. As its name suggests, the programme inspires seniors to have confidence in their abilities through professional theatre training that supports their re-entry to the labour market. We want to impress on them that old age is the start of a golden age. There’s no better time to seize the day and make the most of their time!”
Regarding the challenges and benefits of helping seniors master acting, she noted, “With their rich life experience, seniors can be more versatile in expressing themselves emotionally and can more easily get in tune with their theatrical roles. Focus and courage are important qualities to have for theatrical mastery. The programme participants need to step out of their comfort zone, and see this as the start of a new phase in life. As they dive into different roles, they will also gain new perspectives to better reflect on the rich lives they’ve lived.”
Arts’ Options舉辦的「長∙智∙戲」長者戲劇藝術啟導計劃，為領展「愛∙匯聚計劃」今年贊助的新項目，藉著戲劇表演的力量推動樂齡生活，協助長者建立第二個事業。該機構董事陳桂芬本身是資深舞台工作者，她對於如何釋放長者藝術潛力，以取得個人突破，有其一番見解。
陳桂芬表示：「不少長者朋友年青時或會夢想成為戲劇演員，但礙於家庭或其他原因，一直未有機會付諸實踐。他們貢獻社會多年，現在是時候為自己的夢想做多一些。因為堅持夢想，最終我成為專業演員，我很希望藉著這個項目，幫助我的同輩重拾舞台夢，接受戲劇培訓，踏上專業演員之路。」
她指出：「這個項目有別於一般興趣班，其目標是為對戲劇有熱誠的長者朋友提供培訓，協助他們成為專業演員。熟練舞台技巧有賴持之以恆的鍛鍊，一般而言，舞台每一分鐘的演出，就要投入一小時的排練。能夠完成培訓的學員將有豐富收穫，不但可實現夢想，更有機會發展戲劇作為第二個職業。」
該計劃將於各區進行推廣，為長者提供戲劇體驗班，培養他們對戲劇表演的興趣。陳桂芬說：「我們將選出40名長者朋友，接受為期七個月的專業訓練，其後他們將有機會參與戲劇演出，並組成專業劇團。香港由長者朋友組成的劇團不多，我們期待這劇團日後可以為其他劇團提供專業演員，並且衝出香港，與其他國家的活齡劇團進行交流。」
對於與領展合作，她說：「領展是在社區有深厚根基的企業，我們很高興它成為項目的合作夥伴。在香港，很少機構願意為社區項目付出這麼多。領展的服務點遍及多區，並且了解社區需要，這將支持我們邁向目標，透過提供演出及開展戲劇事業的機會，協助長者朋友融入社區。」
「很多長者朋友或會看輕自己的能力，較少願意接受新挑戰。『長∙智∙戲』計劃，顧名思義，藉著專業戲劇培訓，協助長者朋友於勞動市場拓展新機會，肯定自己的能力，讓他們感受到耆英之年正是另一新黃金時期的開始，應該好好把握，善加利用。」
對於長者要面對鍛鍊演技的挑戰，她說：「長者朋友生活經驗豐富，對喜、怒、哀、樂都有很多感受，這有助揣摩及靈活表達情感，更加容易投入戲劇角色。專注及放膽嘗試是精通戲劇的要素。這計劃的參加者需要走出舒適區，並把這個機會視作人生階段的新開始。隨著投入不同角色，他們將可以新的角度回望人生。」
Rich Life Experience Supports Role Mastery
豐富人生歷練 角色演繹得心應手
A theatre veteran of 30 years, Chan first got interested in drama in secondary school. Working as a tour guide after graduation, she lived a hectic life, juggling between work and drama practice. Theatre gave her the power to focus, which has been useful in helping her fulfil different roles in life, spanning business, family and her work in the performing arts.
Chan’s experience has served her well. In one of her first roles 30 years ago, she played the lead in “The Woman with 27 Children”. In 2018, she had the opportunity to play the same role, but with a much deeper understanding of the character’s emotions thanks to the life experience she had amassed in the intervening years. Her memorable, nuanced performance earned her the best leading actress award in stage drama in 2018. True to her motto of “Dream the impossible dream”, Chan has followed her dreams with passion and conviction, and she has made her mark along the way.
Joining hands with other veterans in the performing arts, Chan founded Arts’ Options in 2011 to promote local art culture in Hong Kong as well as the core virtues of being genuine and empathetic via different art forms.
加入戲劇界近30年的陳桂芬，於中學時期已愛上戲劇，畢業後當過導遊，嘗過日間上班、工餘時間排戲的忙碌日子。演戲讓她學懂凡事專注，助她同時兼顧生意、家庭和舞台劇，演好人生路上不同的角色。她指出，人生經歷對於演員至為重要，30年前她曾擔當《27個小孩的媽媽》一劇主角，2018年再演同一角色，因為歷練多了，對角色感受有更深理解，演繹更加深刻細膩，令她在2018年贏得舞台劇獎最佳女主角。她的座右銘是「追尋不可能的夢 (Dream the impossible dream)」。對戲劇的熱切追求，令她於業界取得驕人成就。
陳桂芬於2011年與多位資深藝術工作者創立Arts’ Options，推動本地文化藝術氛圍，透過不同的藝術形式，向公眾推廣並宣揚真誠和同理心等核心價值。
Theatrical Performance as a Transformative Force
戲劇表演的變革力量
As a seasoned theatre professional who has helped people of different age groups, Chan shared two cases that demonstrate the life-changing effects of theatrical work. “I worked with a reticent young man who, through theatrical training, was turned into a confident, radiant performer – a transformation that even his mother found hard to believe! I also worked with a retired manual worker with a strong interest in scriptwriting. I encouraged him to base his creative work on people around him and his own reflections on life, and he went on to write a highly acclaimed play. Having seen the transformative effects theatre can have on people’s lives, my love and passion for the theatrical arts continues to grow.”
作為資深舞台工作者，陳桂芬曾經協助不同年齡層人士，她分享當中兩個個案，展示戲劇工作能夠對生命帶來改變。「有一個內向寡言的年輕人，接受戲劇訓練後變成自信的表演者，其轉變之大就連他的母親亦不敢置信。另外，一位昔日從事體力勞動工作的退休人士對編劇有濃厚興趣，我鼓勵他以身邊人及個人對生命的反思作為創作題材，最終寫出備受讚賞的劇本。當體會到戲劇對人們生命帶來的變革性影響後，令我更加熱愛戲劇藝術。」
Link Continues to Support Three Existing
Community Projects
領展繼續支持三個社區項目
In addition to adding three new projects, Link Together Initiatives has continued to sponsor the following three existing community projects this year.
領展「愛∙匯聚計劃」今年除了加入三個新項目，亦繼續支持以下三個現有社區項目。
Bo Charity Foundation's "Food Angel – Love & Food
Sharing and Education"
小寶慈善基金的「惜食全方位」食物回收及教育
Help the needy through surplus food collection from Link’s markets and shopping centres
在領展街市及商場進行食物回收，援助有需要人士
Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association's "Guide Dogs
Training and Public Education"
香港導盲犬協會的「導盲犬訓練及公眾教育」
Support the development of guide dog services to promote an inclusive community
支持導盲犬服務發展，推廣社區共融
Po Leung Kuk's "Silver Age Got Talent"
保良局的「活齡閃動顯才華」計劃
Promote active ageing through training and performance opportunities in clowning and other skills for seniors
鼓勵長者學習小丑表演等項目，並參與表演，推動活齡社區
