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TZ6_6667 (3)
TZ6_6667 (3)

The Make It Better Programme

 

Founded in 2013, our Hong Kong-based Make It Better programme is led by a professional team of Art Therapists and Facilitators, and combines expressive arts workshops for children with special educational needs with support for their caregivers and educators.

The Situation in Hong Kong

Poverty and Housing Crisis image
Covid Isolation image
Lack of Support image
01

Poverty and Housing Crisis

02

Covid Isolation

03

Lack of Support

35%

Of children described their home as tense or fearful during the lockdown

113

The median number of weeks a child can wait to receive mental health care

39%

Of students estimated to have poor mental health due to recent social turmoil
For Children image

For Children

Our work promotes positive social and emotional change in children who are facing social, emotional, and behavioural challenges. Our aim is to nurture an increase in their overall wellbeing, skills, and competencies, promoting positive school adjustment, and equipping them for life at school and beyond.

For Caregivers image

For Caregivers

The pressures associated with providing care to children with special educational needs (SEN) can have a profound psychological impact on caregivers. This is particularly true for members of disadvantaged communities in Hong Kong, many of whom face heightened mental health risks due to the burden of financial stress and poor housing conditions, as well as social events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Over time, many caregivers develop negative self-image, which can lead to feelings of isolation and social withdrawal. In some cases, the quality of care to the child and other family members can be compromised.

With our work, we support the mental health and wellbeing of these caregivers, especially when it comes to managing emotions, reducing stress, building resilience, and cultivating peer support. We also focus on helping them strengthen the parent-child relationship.

For Educators image

For Educators

In addition to supporting children’s overall wellbeing, expressive arts can help increase efficacy of communication between educators and their students, and help educators foster classrooms as safe spaces for children to express themselves. Our professional team have developed a train-the-trainer model to help familiarise educators with the application of expressive arts and art therapy-led techniques within an education setting, equip them with the relevant skills and knowledge to implement different expressive arts activities and help further their understanding of the importance of arts in childhood development.

There is a significant amount of research to support the benefits of arts engagement on education related outcomes for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our aim is to support educators and help them create environments where their students can succeed.

Our Team

Mimi Tung image
Mimi Tung
Head of Programmes
Mimi Tung image

Mimi Tung

Head of Programmes

Mimi Tung is a highly accomplished USA Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC) and Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). She holds a Master’s Degree from Notre Dame de Namur University (California) and previously worked at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Stanford.

With over a decade of experience, Mimi has worked with a wide variety of people both individually and in group therapy. Her clients have ranged from toddlers to elders, all of whom have varying degrees of mental challenges. She addresses a range of issues including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, psychosis, bipolar and self-destructive behaviors. Her practice skillfully combines multimodal arts like visual arts, clay, photography, writing, digital art, and sand-play. She has frequently worked with schools and hospitals and uses both Western and Eastern art influences in her practice.

As an educator, Mimi taught as guest lecturer at renowned institutions like the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the University of Hong Kong and the Central Academy of Fine Arts Beijing. She zealously conducts trainings for various organizations and offers supervision to prospective registered therapists, supporting the next generation in the field. She was the former President of the Hong Kong Association of Art Therapists.

Mimi has authored publications on art therapy and her work has been featured in columns and publications. She presents regularly at international conferences, highlighting her expertise in art therapy.

Charles Chan image
Charles Chan
Expressive Arts Therapist
Charles Chan image

Charles Chan

Expressive Arts Therapist

Charles Chan is a passionate Registered Arts (Expressive Arts) Therapist. With a firm belief in the power of arts to heal and transform, he has been serving underprivileged families and Special Educational Needs (SEN) children in mainstream schools through the Make it Better programme.

His journey in Expressive Arts Therapy began with the realization that art has the potential to be more grounded, less judgmental, and profoundly meaningful for individuals from all walks of life. He is committed to introducing and applying Expressive Arts Therapy to those in need in our society.

In his practice, he has witnessed the transformative power of art therapy firsthand. Not only do beneficiaries gain invaluable insights and personal growth through the creative process, but as a therapist, he has also learned immensely from their imagination and creativity. It is a truly reciprocal experience that fosters a supportive and trusted relationship.

He strongly believes that therapy should not only be insightful but also enjoyable. When working with Charles, beneficiaries will encounter moments of fun, excitement, and challenge as they navigate the therapeutic process.

Christina Lum image
Christina Lum
Senior Art Facilitator
Christina Lum image

Christina Lum

Senior Art Facilitator

Christina Lum is a dedicated professional who has been serving as an Art Facilitator for the Make It Better Expressive Arts Programme at The Sovereign Art Foundation since August 2017. Her primary role is to facilitate expressive arts workshops that aim to promote the holistic development of underprivileged kindergarten and primary children with diverse educational needs.

To better understand her beneficiaries with different backgrounds, she completed the Diploma of Special Educational Needs in 2022 with distinction, enriching her knowledge and strategies for supporting the groups she serves. In September 2023, Christina took a significant step in her professional development by enrolling in the Master of Expressive Arts Therapy programme at The University of Hong Kong. Her aspiration is to promote psychological wellness and facilitate personal growth for individuals of all ages with multiple expressive arts interventions in the future.

Yoyo Yu image
Yoyo Yu
Administrative Assistant
Yoyo Yu image

Yoyo Yu

Administrative Assistant

Yoyo is a graduate from the Academy of Visual Arts at Hong Kong Baptist University and joined The Sovereign Art Foundation team in 2023. With a passion for art, she finds inspiration working alongside therapists. Yoyo’s artistic pursuits extend to ceramics and metalsmithing, where she indulges her creativity. Her diverse skills and dedication contribute to the Foundation’s mission of enhancing the educational and personal development of children and caregivers through the medium of art. Yoyo’s unique artistic journey and commitment to making a difference make her a valuable member of our team.