news
Flowers aren’t the only thing blossoming at the Flower
Workshop, as
Gillian Johnston
found out.
Flower power
B
ring on the flower power! Flowers
have a natural power to cheer
us up whatever the weather,
brightening both moods and
rooms. But did you know that when you
want to ‘say it with flowers’ you can also
help charity at the same time?
The Flower Workshop is a social
enterprise operated by the long-
established Hong Kong Federation of
Handicapped Youth (HKFHY)
, and it aims to
enhance the employment opportunities
for people with disabilities through
floral design and retail. Since it was
planted in 2002, this floral business has
strengthened the confidence and social
networks of people with disabilities
by providing skills and employment
opportunities, thereby boosting their
social integration.
HKFHY is a government-registered
charity managed by people with
disabilities (mainly the physically
handicapped and chronically ill)
as a self-help organisation, which
continuously develops innovative
services and businesses to fit the needs of
disabled people. Their Flower Workshop
is one of Hong Kong’s few financially self-
sufficient social enterprises.
How they help
A caring employer, the charity provides
staff with an attractive employment
package. Another positive is that the
Workshop empowers staff – including
their longest serving employee, Mei
Kuan (who has a hearing impairment).
Starting as an assistant with duties such
as cutting flowers, changing vase water
and making deliveries, Mei Kuan proved
hardworking and responsible. Exhibiting
a keen interest in floral design, she was
gradually trained up and promoted to
assistant florist. Today Mei Kuan is the
main employee responsible for preparing
corsages, hampers and flower baskets.
Another employee, Alice, who was
assessed as disabled due to being a slow
learner, had never been able to secure
gainful employment. Now in her early 20s,
she was fortunate to get an opportunity
to work – for the first time – as an assistant.
Alice treasures her role, and ensures floral
products are delivered on time. She’s
grateful for this opportunity to gain skills
and, even better, the charity plans to offer
training with the goal of her becoming a
skilled florist who can work independently.
How you can help
The Workshop offers top quality floral
arrangement services to offices and
homes, at very competitive prices.
Thanks to their dedication to quality and
customer service, the Workshop has
maintained long-term relationships with
prominent customers, including a bank,
numerous government departments,
professional bodies and other sizable
organisations including an international
law firm and a five-star Kowloon hotel.
As well as businesses, they also cater to
the public with a gorgeous selection of
bouquets and stunning arrangements for
events and weddings (including bridal
bouquets and corsages) plus fruit and
gift baskets – indeed, flowers for all
occasions.
The Flower Workshop is keen to
grow to offer more employment
opportunities, empowering them to
serve the community. So say
it with flowers by checking out their
arrangements and ordering online
at
