Partnering Up to Foster a Caring and Inclusive Society

Singapore Cares (SG Cares) is a national movement introduced to foster a more caring and inclusive society by encouraging people living in Singapore to be active volunteers. One key initiative under the movement is the SG Cares Volunteer Centres (SG Cares VCs). There are currently four SG Cares VCs within the Central Zone, which are operated by community-based organisations to build volunteer capacity, develop volunteer management capabilities, and foster community partnerships to meet community needs.

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The SG Cares VCs have increased engagement with partners during the COVID-19 period, serving as effective nodes on the ground to channel resources to areas of needs and improving the residents’ physical and psychosocial health and well-being. Together with other charities and about 120 volunteers from corporate organisations and educational institutions, regular virtual activities such as Bingo, terrarium making and art therapy were conducted for more than 200 seniors. This enabled seniors within the community to remain engaged, active and connected with one another when Senior Activity Centres were closed during COVID-19.

Other initiatives that contribute to the strong community support provided to our seniors include the Healthy Ageing Promotion Programme for You (HAPPY) offered by the SG Cares VC @ Jalan Besar, in partnership with the experienced volunteers from RSVP Singapore. It helps seniors to delay frailty and improve their cognitive functions, physical strength, and mental well-being.

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SG Cares VC @ Toa Payoh also introduced the Neighbour Cares initiative to foster a strong care network within the community. Under the initiative, an informal network of more than 250 volunteers was built to regularly check in on and befriend about 650 isolated seniors living in Toa Payoh West. Equipped with basic engagement and befriending techniques, and knowledge to help them identify both physical and mental signs of distress, these volunteers help enhance the seniors’ well-being by encouraging them to embrace active ageing and participate in the neighborhood’s community activities.

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Beyond senior care initiatives, support is also extended across other life stages. SG Cares VC @ Geylang partnered students from Anglo-Chinese Junior College to organise a virtual FUNday engagement event for youths from Care Community Services Society’s d’Klub@MacPherson Mentoring Programme. The youths spent the day learning healthier lifestyle tips from what foods they should eat to how they can incorporate exercise into their daily routines. SG Cares VC @ Ang Mo Kio encouraged the community to stay physically active through programmes by partnering volunteers from Yoga Circle to lead weekly yoga sessions for seniors and persons with special needs.