New scheme taps human connection to offer South East residents wider support

AI generated

SINGAPORE – A new scheme will offer residents of the South East District additional support through companionship, mentorship and practical help.

Launched on Aug 20, the Friends of South East initiative seeks to build a network of volunteers and kindness ambassadors to address residents’ needs beyond financial concerns.

The South East Community Development Council (CDC) plans to recruit about 1,500 volunteers by August 2027 for various programmes. These include Support a Block @ South East initiative, under which volunteers will visit seniors living in rental flats, help them buy groceries, or accompany them to their medical appointments.

The Friends of South East scheme is intended to address “emotional, social and practical needs that may not always require formal intervention but can have a profound effect on a person’s quality of life”, said the South East CDC.

Speaking at the launch event, mayor of South East District Dinesh Vasu Dash said the scheme complements the existing campaigns by the council to uplift different segments of the community.

“(Seniors) may need care ... (or) for someone to listen to them, to understand the concerns that they’re going through and difficulties that they may be facing. We want the South East District to be a district of kindness,” added Dinesh.

The programme is part of the South East CDC’s year-long campaign, A Journey of Kindness, that encourages more people to care for one another and contribute in ways that are meaningful to them.

Businesses and community organisations could also provide resources, sponsorships or employee volunteers.

Panneer Palaniandy, a volunteer, helps organise his company’s annual walk to raise funds for communities in need.

The 50-year-old employee of audit firm EY told The Straits Times that such events show how simple acts like walking can go a long way in supporting people in need.

The annual EY walk is part of the Walk for Health @ South East campaign, where over 160 organisations will organise their own walks at their workplaces, schools and neighbourhoods.

With a goal of 200,000km, every kilometre walked will raise $1 towards a $200,000 fund, providing 2,000 beneficiaries with supermarket vouchers, said Dinesh.

To recruit volunteers for the Friends of South East scheme, the South East CDC is tapping on the existing programmes and corporate partners.

The network of volunteers will also support other existing initiatives. These include the Sports, Opportunities and Academic Resources for at-risk youth (SOAR) programme, which supports secondary school students from disadvantaged backgrounds through sports, tuition and coaching.

Between 25 and 28 students receive support through the initiatives. Among them are Bedok South Secondary School students Azraf Rayyan Risdian, 13, and Raul Bin Rhaizat, 14, who are in Secondary 1 and 2 respectively.

Every Saturday, they spend 1½ hours receiving football coaching, followed by a 1 ½ hour tutoring session with volunteers.

The two students, who attended the launch event with their principal Daryl Koh, said they appreciate the tutoring sessions.

“Some of us might not have a conducive environment to study at home, or might not have anyone to help us with schoolwork,” said Raul, adding that the tuition has helped him complete assignments.

Azraf said: “Staying in school and doing homework with my friends makes me motivated to do my work”.

Koh found it heartening to see the community coming together to support students, extending the network of care beyond parents and teachers.

For 72-year-old Priscilla Neo, volunteering is much more than giving back to the community.

“It helps me make friends and create a group of my own,” she said. The retired admin staff said she used to volunteer about four times a month, with each stint ranging from a few hours to half a day.

These included distributing items to others and organising simple programmes to engage seniors in community organisations.

Now struggling with pain in her joints, Neo cycles to help raise funds for the community. She said she tries to volunteer on an ad-hoc basis, clocking in a few hours a month.

“I might not volunteer as often, but I have been doing it for so many years that the community is filled with my friends,” she said.