In the beginning:
In 1993 David Nesbitt found that there was no English-speaking service for adults with intellectual disabilities in Hong Kong. He lobbied the Social Welfare Department, drawing official attention to the individuals who were affected by the lack of appropriate provision in Hong Kong.

David obtained a grant from the Queen Elizabeth Foundation for the Mentally Handicapped to set up an initial service. In June 1993, he obtained support and a commitment to ongoing funding from the Social Welfare Department. Since then, the service has evolved into the Hong Kong Vocational Centre, (HKVC) and now The Nesbitt Centre (TNC)a full-time organisation committed to the provision of integrated and person- centered opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.

Location
In the Summer of 2001, the Nesbitt Centre moved to its first permanent premises in Sai Ying Pun, as part of the Social Welfare Department’s community complex. This has given the Centre both the security of permanent premises and ready access to shops, offices, libraries and other local facilities. One of our key targets was to set a residential home in the heart of the community. In the Autumn of 2003, our first residential apartment In Discovery Bay was set up- this enables the Centre to carry out its commitment in promoting independence for our service users. Moreover the independent living programme provides opportunities to further their learning and develop a lifestyle that reflects a valued and integrated adult life.