Hello everyone! I’m Alvin Kwok, a committee member of the SDGs group at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust (Hong Kong) Limited, and I’m excited to share the highlights of our recent Ukulele Workshop. This activity was a refreshing break from our usual initiatives and aimed to promote creativity, relaxation, and well-being through the joy of music.

About the Workshop 

The workshop, held in our conference room, was a 6-lesson course led by a professional ukulele instructor whom we carefully selected after a thorough comparison process. With overwhelming interest from colleagues, we eventually conducted a lottery to select 15 lucky participants due to limited capacity.

Over the course of the program, participants learned the fundamentals of ukulele playing, various patterns, and even mastered around 15 songs, including familiar favorites like

Happy Birthday, Eyes on Me, A Whole New World, and Sakura. The ukulele proved to be the perfect instrument for this initiative, thanks to its simplicity, compact size, and soothing sound. It offered a refreshing alternative to more complex instruments, which can sometimes feel intimidating or tied to formal training.

The workshop was conducted during lunch hours on working days, ensuring that participants didn’t need to take additional time off. The instructor also prepared detailed notes and handouts to support everyone’s learning.

One of the most delightful aspects of this event was its diversity. Nearly all departments were represented among the 15 participants, including Fund Control, Investment Advisory I, Investment Advisory II, Investment Planning, IT Planning, Treasury, Corporate Administration, and Investment Compliance. It was wonderful to see colleagues from such a wide range of teams coming together to share this unique experience.

Linking to the SDGs 

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being by emphasizing the mental health benefits of music. Scientific studies have shown that playing a musical instrument can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall emotional well-being. Participants shared how the sessions provided them with a much-needed creative outlet and a relaxing break from their daily routines.
• SDG 4: Quality Education, as it encouraged lifelong learning by introducing participants to a new skill. The program demonstrated that learning doesn’t have to be formal or high-pressure – it can be fun, enriching, and deeply satisfying.

Reflections 

For many of the participants, this was their first time learning a musical instrument, and it was inspiring to see how quickly they progressed, from tentative strumming in the first lesson to confidently playing entire songs by the final session. The workshop proved that music truly transcends boundaries, fostering a sense of connection and accomplishment among colleagues.

The diversity of the group also added to the success of the workshop. With participants from nearly every department, it was a great opportunity to connect with colleagues from different areas of the company and build stronger bonds through a shared creative experience.

This activity also underscored the value of incorporating creative and recreational workshops into the workplace. Beyond the skills learned, it reminded us of the importance of balancing work with activities that nourish our mental and emotional health.

At Sumitomo Mitsui Trust (Hong Kong) Limited, we remain committed to organizing initiatives that promote well-being, creativity, and personal growth. The ukulele workshop was a new experience for us, and judging by the enthusiasm of participants, it was a resounding success!

Thank you for reading!