This is an abridged version of Dr Lim Hong Huay’s speech at CaringSG’s virtual launch on 20 Nov 2021.
Good Afternoon. Thank you for joining us at this official launch of CaringSG and Project 3i.
Your presence is great encouragement to the CaringSG team and all the caregivers. The same goes to all the partners and allies who are joining us on Facebook Live today, thank you for your unwavering support!
CaringSG is born in 2020 out of 3 things.
First, the fire of the COVID pandemic.
The circuit breaker last year cut many special needs families off from mainstream services. Many suffered in the isolation. Surprisingly, we saw caregiver groups and the community rallied together to reach out and help each other. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Many of the Caregiver groups in CaringSG’s founding community have been around for years. But the pandemic makes us realise one thing, that is, TOGETHER, we can do so much more.
Secondly, CaringSG is here because of the many helping hands in Singapore.
Many of us, including myself, will not be here today, if not for all the special needs services that supported our children and families all these years. Since CaringSG’s inception, we have also received much guidance and support from the Ministry of Social and Family Development, the SG Enable, the National Council of Social Service, our Angel donors, community partners and professional allies. We hope to work with you more closely in future for greater 3P partnership.
Last but not least, CaringSG comes from the hearts of caregivers. Through caregiving, many of us have gained a very strong and big heart. It’s estimated that there are 350,000 special needs caregivers in Singapore and we are a multi-talented community. Many of us can give back in many ways. Hence our logo of a multi-coloured heart with a tick. CaringSG wants to grow more strong and big-hearted caregivers, so that our talents can contribute to building a caring and inclusive Singapore.
So here we are today, CaringSG, by Caregivers, for Caregivers, and for the Community.
Caregivers are very busy people. If we do not have a good plan, we would not have come this far. Project 3i is this good plan we believe in and come this far for.
We want to specially thank our CaringSG’s founding donors, the Toteboard Enabling Lives Initiatives, the Temasek Foundation, the SG Enable, and the National Council of Social Service for jointly funding Project 3i. Thank you for believing in CaringSG and Project 3i.
In the next 2 years, CaringSG will pilot our 3i Caregiver support service model.
3i stands for integrative, individualised and intentional
The 3i model consists of 3 programs, and they are the CAREconnect, the CAREbuddy and the CAREwell programs. Together, the 3 programs form a continuum of support for caregivers across lifespan.
Notably, the CAREconnect program includes a unique grassroot training and collaboration, called the CAREkaki program. This will be implemented in Boon Lay and Kampong Glam in 2022, followed by another 2 constituencies in 2023.
The CAREbuddy program trains caregivers, whom we call as CAREbuddy, to support another caregiver through peer mentorship.
CAREwell will also collaborate with key community partners to bring more inclusive services to the special needs families. For example, we are collaborating with the Mount Alvernia Outreach Clinic to offer affordable inclusive medical and dental services for caregivers and their children. We will also be piloting Community Circles with the Institute of Policy Studies to improve community support for caregivers.
CaringSG has also borne other early fruits, including the formation of the CAREcottage, a community of home and small businesses started by caregivers for their children, such as Beads by Beads, Crunchy Teeth, Evol Studio, JojoMama, Mustard Tree and Young Star SG.
Lastly, to celebrate our launch, we will bring care and fun to special needs families in Boon Lay and Kampong Glam in the coming weeks.
The CAREkaki will be distributing goodie bags to 60 special needs families, which has gifts from CaringSG’s caregiver sponsors, $30 vouchers from the Singapore Discovery Center, and surgical masks from the Mask Fellows. A special thank you to our sponsors, the Singapore Discovery Center and the Mask Fellows for your generosity, and our Fantastic CAREkakis for your labour of love.
This will certainly not be the last, but the beginning of all good things that will come with CaringSG and Project 3i for caregivers in Singapore.
A big part of the joy in caregiving for children comes from being made to see things from a fresh child-like perspective. Teaching autistic children requires one to go beyond that. Often, one has to tap on that perspective and the child’s interest to engage them in learning about our neurotypical world. This is the story of Eliz’s creative teaching journey inspired by her fostered child, Eugene.
A big part of the joy in caregiving for children comes from being made to see things from a fresh child-like perspective. Teaching autistic children requires one to go beyond that. Often, one has to tap on that perspective and the child’s interest to engage them in learning about our neurotypical world. This is the story of Eliz’s creative teaching journey inspired by her fostered child, Eugene.
A big part of the joy in caregiving for children comes from being made to see things from a fresh child-like perspective. Teaching autistic children requires one to go beyond that. Often, one has to tap on that perspective and the child’s interest to engage them in learning about our neurotypical world. This is the story of Eliz’s creative teaching journey inspired by her fostered child, Eugene.
I am sitting down to write this six days after I met Wendy, Mummy to an autistic daughter, over lunch. Looking at the notes I scribbled from our chat, the few words that popped up in my mind? ‘My learning journey’. This is Wendy’s learning journey as a caregiver.
When Carrie first heard her son’s autism diagnosis at age three, she was overwhelmed with questions and uncertainty. But through determination, early intervention, and unwavering support from her husband, she found a path forward—guided, unexpectedly, by her son Ethan’s deep love for trains. From Thomas & Friends to trainspotting in Switzerland, this is a heartfelt story of a family’s journey, resilience, and the power of embracing a child’s special interests.
If you are a community volunter passionate about making a difference in the lives of caregivers and their families, join CaringSG as a trained volunteer to support, empower, and uplift caregivers while fostering a more inclusive and connected community.
