About 100 volunteers of the Pilot Neighbourhood Active Ageing Project joined a workshop to learn about seniors' health and interpersonal skills to better equip themselves to meet their needs and give them proper care.

It was the first of the workshops for young and elderly volunteers organised by the Elderly Commission and the Labour & Welfare Bureau. The second one will be on July 5.

Doctors, nurses, nutritionists, physiotherapists and social workers gave talks about the common diseases seniors face, how to communicate with seniors, recommended diet, physical exercises, healthy lifestyle, community support and ways to prevent accidents.

Commission chairman Dr Leong Che-hung hoped the volunteers will learn to take care of seniors and help them lead a healthy lifestyle. He also hoped the seniors' families and the community understand neighbourhood mutual support is crucial.

The project is jointly launched by the commission and the bureau to encourage the public, including elders, to become volunteers and build a neighbourhood support network. The volunteers will visit the elders regularly and organise activities for them. Nineteen pilot projects are being implemented in the city.