Singapore Expats

Hi,
Does anyone know of places where I can volunteer for helping children or old people?

If it helps you feel better, you can come round and cook dinner.

p.s. what credentials do I need, on the scale of age/decrepitude? Would you cook for a party of 8 or ten ? (some of us can pretend to be old, if it helps the dynamic).

Hanha ha. Good one.
You already fit the description of someone who needs help. But not from me, a shrink maybe...

Use Google- no seriously

I am currently exploring mentoring opportunities to work with children and teens.

Here's a few links-

http://www.touch.org.sg/volunteer

http://www.sgcares.org/public/other/SGCares_P_Home.aspx

There is Willing Hearts and A packet of rice that I know.

Thanks Katkiya. I have already registered with Willinghearts (another friend recommended the same). Awaiting a response.

The one I do is Redhill Food Distribution. Every Sat, they distributes food to elderly people around Redhill area. You don't really have to register, simply show up, help to distribute or deliver the food to the elderly, and leave once you are done. You can find them on Facebook as well. From time to time, they will also post for volunteers to bring the elderly around, and you can help out on the ad-hoc events if the timing fits your schedule as well.

Girl_Next_Door wrote:The one I do is Redhill Food Distribution.

My mother used to do something similar in the UK, 'Meals on wheels'. There the idea was that it might be the only decent cooked meal someone (often elderly, single) might get in a week. But of course the routine social contact was equally important, giving some 'rhythm' to the week.

That was somewhere semi-rural where people could often physically not go to the shops or out. It rather depresses me that such a thing has to exist in a city as well. Perhaps here it's more about poverty than proximity to resources? (And ironically I tend to think living cheek-by-jowl in the city, is lonelier than living in the remote countryside).

BPhereinSG wrote:Thanks Katkiya. I have already registered with Willinghearts (another friend recommended the same). Awaiting a response.

most if not all Volunteer groups are listed under SG Cares.

Others not listed, but could be sought out for help ..

Red Cross.
Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped
Society for the Physically Disabled
Handicaps Welfare Association

Oh, I do prefer to contribute to organizations that don't benefit from CommChest .. that's my personal opinion ..

JR8 wrote:

Girl_Next_Door wrote:The one I do is Redhill Food Distribution.

My mother used to do something similar in the UK, 'Meals on wheels'. There the idea was that it might be the only decent cooked meal someone (often elderly, single) might get in a week. But of course the routine social contact was equally important, giving some 'rhythm' to the week.

That was somewhere semi-rural where people could often physically not go to the shops or out. It rather depresses me that such a thing has to exist in a city as well. Perhaps here it's more about poverty than proximity to resources? (And ironically I tend to think living cheek-by-jowl in the city, is lonelier than living in the remote countryside).

For this, we don't cook the food. The organization actually purchase the food (many assumed they are donated but its purchased) and distribute to the old folks and unemployed (they have a tight screening process to verify eligibility). The food given is supposed to be enough for them to cook at home for a week (at least 3-4 days) and consist a mixture of canned food, rice, basic vegetables, etc.

It is quite a humbling experience as you won't imagine a modern city like Singapore to have this side.

Girl_Next_Door wrote:It is quite a humbling experience as you won't imagine a modern city like Singapore to have this side.

Just my 2 cents, in Singapore.. those "poor" in Singapore are mostly asset rich but cash poor ..

Thanks to all for your wonderful inputs. I will work on these leads and keep you posted.

Hi BPhereinSG just wondering if you found any volunteer opportunities? I've recently moved here with my partner, and I'm looking to do some volunteering. I've looked at a few of the orgs mentioned in this thread, but would love to hear about your experience if you ended up volunteering

Jmyl wrote:Hi BPhereinSG just wondering if you found any volunteer opportunities? I've recently moved here with my partner, and I'm looking to do some volunteering. I've looked at a few of the orgs mentioned in this thread, but would love to hear about your experience if you ended up volunteering

you can look up here.

https://www.sgcares.org

ecureilx wrote:

Jmyl wrote:Hi BPhereinSG just wondering if you found any volunteer opportunities? I've recently moved here with my partner, and I'm looking to do some volunteering. I've looked at a few of the orgs mentioned in this thread, but would love to hear about your experience if you ended up volunteering

you can look up here.

https://www.sgcares.org

Just to emphasize, it's SG Cares, not SG SCares.