Centre for Harmony and Enhancement of Ethnic Minority Residents (CHEER)

Centre for Harmony and Enhancement of Ethnic Minority Residents (CHEER) has been funded by the Home Affairs Department (HAD) since 2009 to provide accessible services to ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. Through the provision of interpretation services and multi-dimensional programmes, CHEER aims at achieving the following objectives:

1. To assist the ethnic minorities in knowing and accessing essential public services and resources.
2. To enhance the ethnic minorities' proficiencies in Chinese and English.
3. To enhance the ethnic minorities' capacity in problem-solving and adjustment in Hong Kong.
4. To promote social inclusion and integration in Hong Kong.

Service Targets

All ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, and all organisations serving ethnic minority persons.

Service Application

• All ethnic minority persons can call the TELIS Hotlines, WhatsApp or visit our Centre to enroll to use our services for free. Our services include interpretation services, language and integration programmes (click for details), counselling, guidance and referral services.
  
  
• All organisations serving ethnic minority persons can call the TELIS Hotlines, email or fax requests to the Centre during operation hours. Our services include interpretation and translation services (Fees are waived for NGOs and all non-profit-making kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, colleges as listed in the EDB), free briefing sessions about interpretation & translation services and cultural awareness (Download Form: DOC | PDF ).
  
  
• Language Identification Card
  (Download Form: DOC | PDF )
  
  
• Application for Agency Code
  (Download Form: DOC | PDF )
  
  
• Handy Communication with non- English/ Chinese speakers 
  (Download: DOC | PDF )
  
  Seeking Consent from EM Service Users
  (Download: DOC | PDF )

Service Withdrawal

Service users can exit our services by giving a verbal request for termination to our staff.

Service Content

Telephone Interpretation Service (TELIS) &
Telephone Interpretation Service Appointment (TELISA)

• Monday to Sunday: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Interpretation support can be provided for urgent matters out of operation hours (10 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Monday to Sunday, and on public holidays); Ethnic minority service users and service providers in need of interpretation support for urgent matters can call our TELIS hotlines in which our English-speaking staff will answer your call.
  (Download form: DOC | PDF | Online Application )

Telephone Interpretation Service Hotlines (TELIS)

Drop-in Service

• Monday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Public holidays: Closed

WhatsApp & Sight Interpretation Service (WSIS) 

WhatsApp & Sight Interpretation Service (WSIS) provides verbal interpretation for short notices in English received from ethnic minority persons.

• Monday:  9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Public holidays: Closed

*Can use this service via WhatsApp to 5634 4587.

Bridging Service (BRS)

Bridging Service (BRS) assists ethnic minority service users to inform their service providers to arrange for interpretation services in their future appointments. 

• Monday to Sunday:  8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Public holidays: Closed
  
  

On-site Interpretation Service (OIS) 

Face-to-face interpretation (spoken) when our interpreters are present physically in the same place as the service provider and the Ethnic Minority service user. 

• Monday to Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  (Services will be provided on need basis during non-operation hours but will remain closed during Public Holidays)
• Public holidays: Closed

* Service requests are made by organisations serving ethnic minority persons. 

(Download Form: DOC | PDF | Online Application )

Simultaneous Interpretation Service (SIS) 

Face-to-face interpretation when our interpreters are present physically in the same place as the service providers and the EM users. It gives support to service providers on transmitting essential information to respective groups of EM users in workshops and seminars.

• Monday to Friday:  10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  (Services will be provided on need basis during non-operation hours but will remain closed during Public Holidays)
• Public holidays: Closed

* Service requests are made by organisations serving ethnic minority persons.

(Download Form: DOC | PDF | Online Application ) 

Voice-Recording Service (VRS)

This service is applicable to organisations serving ethnic minority persons.  Apply for the service at least 14 working days in advance.

(Download Form: DOC | PDF | Online Application )

Sight Translation Service for Service Providers (STS)

This service is applicable to organisations serving ethnic minority persons.  Apply for the service at least 7 working days in advance.

(Download Form: DOC | PDF |  Online Application )

Translation Service (TS) & Proof-reading Service (PS) 

This service is applicable to organisations serving ethnic minority persons.  Apply for the service at least 14 working days in advance. 

(Download Form: DOC | PDF | Online Application )