Community Services and Facilities
FoundationCommunity facilities meet residents' many needs, provided by the government, voluntary organisations and private bodies; using them well, following the rules and caring for public property are also what good residents do.
- Community facilities meet residents' needs for health, learning and leisure.
- Services are provided together by the government, voluntary organisations and private bodies.
- Follow rules, queue your turn and show public-mindedness when using public facilities.
文體小知識：生活常識說明文介紹社區的設施和服務，讀完就能善用身邊的社區資源。
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1A community is where we live, and its facilities meet residents' different needs: hospitals and clinics when we are ill, libraries when we want to borrow books, parks, sports centres and swimming pools for exercise, and community halls for events. These facilities make life convenient and give neighbours chances to meet and help one another.
2It is not only the government that provides services. The government runs public hospitals, public libraries and parks; voluntary organisations such as the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Po Leung Kuk run schools, homes for the elderly and youth centres; private bodies operate clinics, cinemas and supermarkets. Government services are supported by taxes and are mostly free or cheap; many services of voluntary organisations depend on public donations.
3When using public facilities, follow the rules and show public-mindedness: keep quiet in the library and return books on time; queue for the slide in the park and wait your turn for the courts; give up your seat on public transport to those who need it. Facilities belong to everyone, so only by caring for them and using them properly can all of us enjoy them for long.
4Community services also need residents to take part. Serving as little volunteers — visiting the elderly, tidying books, cleaning beaches — helps others and warms the community. Knowing what facilities and services your community has, and how to ask for help when needed, is something every Primary 3 pupil can start learning.
1Summary 重點摘要
Community facilities meet residents' many needs, provided by the government, voluntary organisations and private bodies; using them well, following the rules and caring for public property are also what good residents do.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
An area where people live together, sharing facilities and caring for one another.
Facilities for everyone to share, such as parks, libraries and public toilets.
A non-profit body supported by donations and volunteers, such as the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.
A public place for residents to hold events, performances and gatherings.
A residence that cares for elderly people's daily needs and health.
Caring for the public good and keeping public rules, such as keeping places clean.
A person who helps others or serves the community willingly, without pay.
Going to see and comfort someone, such as visiting elderly people in a care home.
Giving money or goods to organisations or people in need.
3Step by step Steps
- Step 1: Learn the kinds of community facilitiesCommunity facilities are places that look after the different needs of residents, and there are many kinds. Draw a map of your community and mark the hospital, library, park, pool and post office, then write down what each one provides: hospitals treat illness, libraries lend books, parks offer rest and exercise. Knowing the kinds helps you find help when you need it. Walk around the district with your parents at the weekend and mark every facility you see on the map — the knowledge grows much deeper.
- Step 2: Tell who provides each serviceCommunity services come from different kinds of bodies, in three main groups. Public hospitals and public libraries are run by the government; the schools and care homes of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals are run by a voluntary organisation; cinemas and supermarkets are run by private businesses. Knowing who provides a service tells you which kind of body to turn to for different problems. Government services are supported by taxes and are mostly free or cheap; many services of voluntary organisations depend on public donations.
- Step 3: Use facilities the right wayBefore using a facility, learn how it works. Apply for a library card before borrowing and return books on time, so the next reader can borrow them too; book or queue for a public court before playing, so everyone gets a fair turn. Used the right way, the facilities run smoothly and everyone enjoys them. You can also browse the facility's website before visiting to check the opening hours and charges, so the trip is not wasted.
- Step 4: Follow rules and show public-mindednessEvery facility has rules, and following them shows public-mindedness. Speak softly in the library so readers are not disturbed; queue for the slide in the park without pushing in; put rubbish in the bin to keep the place clean; give your seat on the bus to elderly people and expectant mothers. When everyone follows the rules, the community is safe and pleasant. Rules may look like restrictions, but they let everyone use the facilities fairly, safely and comfortably — all benefit.
- Step 5: Care for public propertyPublic facilities belong to all residents, so caring for them is everyone's duty. Do not scribble on tables, break flowers or branches, or damage playground equipment, and put things back after using them. If you find a broken bench or a damaged play item, tell your parents to report it to the management, so it can be repaired quickly and keep serving everyone. Public property belongs to all; damage finally costs public money to repair and everyone pays the price, so we should treasure it all the more.
- Step 6: Join community serviceThe community is our home; besides using its facilities, residents can help serve it too. Join a community clean-up day with your family to tidy a beach or park, or visit a care home with the school volunteer team to perform for and chat with elderly people. Giving a little makes the community better and teaches us things beyond textbooks. Record the service experience in a booklet and share it with classmates, encouraging more people to join in.
4Diagrams Diagrams
5Worked example Example
Example: Shan's neighbour Grandma Chan lives alone and cannot move about easily, so she seldom goes out. How can Shan and her mother use community resources to help her?
- Walk with Grandma Chan in the nearby park and help her get to know the neighbourhood and its facilities again.
- Ask about activities at the district's elderly centre and community hall, such as health talks and interest classes, and encourage her to join regularly and make new friends.
- Borrow large-print books and audiobooks from the public library for Grandma Chan to enjoy at home with ease.
- Join the community volunteer visiting team, call on her regularly for a chat, and keep an eye on her health.
- Answer: They can help Grandma Chan rediscover the community facilities, ask about elderly centre activities for her, borrow large-print books and audiobooks from the library, and join the volunteer team to visit her regularly, so she rejoins community life and no longer feels lonely.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1Which bodies provide services in the community?
Q2What should we do after borrowing books from the library?
Q3What is public-mindedness? Give an example.
Q4What should we do if park facilities are damaged?
Q5What community service can primary pupils take part in?
8Recap Recap
- Community facilities meet residents' needs for health, learning and leisure.
- Services are provided together by the government, voluntary organisations and private bodies.
- Follow rules, queue your turn and show public-mindedness when using public facilities.
- Care for public property and report damage to the management.
- Serve as little volunteers to help others and warm up the community.