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CaringSG Community Events In May 2023

CaringSG Community Events In May 2023

The month of May was another eventful month for CaringSG as we had lined up exciting events and talks for our caregivers from Boon Lay, Kampong Glam and Telok Blangah.

6 May 2023 Massage Therapy for Caregivers (Telok Blangah Community Club)

We understand that caregiving is a tiring task and caregivers do need some “me” time and respite along the journey. In order to help caregivers to relieve tension and enhance their well-being, CaringSG organised a massage therapy for caregivers on 6 May 2023.

They were treated to a rejuvenating massage session by skilled therapists while our volunteers helped to engage their dependents with simple games and activities. 

9 caregivers and their special needs dependents turned up for the therapy session from 10am to 12pm. Light refreshment were also provided for all participants.

This event was supported by 1 CAREkaki, 3 CaringSG staff and volunteers, 1 CAREchampion, the Enabling Lives Initiative (ELI) Grant funded by Tote Board and managed by SG Enable, Temasek Foundation and Telok Blangah CCC.

13 May 2023 Deputyship and Special Needs Trust Talk (Boon Lay)

The next caregiver engagement event (talk) was held on 13 May 2023 at Boon Lay Community Club from 2pm to 4pm. The talk focused on providing caregivers with practical knowledge on the requirements and process on applying for deputyship. Our speakers also shared the relevant information on how to set up a special needs trust.

4 caregivers turned up for the talk and we were glad that all of them had a better and deeper understanding on Deputyship and Special Needs Trust after interacting with our speakers and other caregivers.  This event was supported by 3 CAREkakis, 3 CaringSG staff and volunteers, 1 CAREchampion, the Enabling Lives Initiative (ELI) Grant funded by Tote Board and managed by SG Enable, Temasek Foundation and Boon Lay CCC.

20 May 2023 Purple Outing to SEA Aquarium (Kampong Glam)

The last activity for the month was a Purple Outing to S.E.A Aquarium on 20 May 2023. S.E.A. Aquarium is one of the world’s largest aquariums and it is home to more than 100,000 marine animals! Caregivers and their dependents had the opportunity to get close-up with the vast array of aquatic life and participated in the various learning journeys available at the aquarium to better appreciate the importance of preserving our oceans and its marine animals.

A total of 16 caregivers and 10 of their special needs dependents turned up for the event and it was supported by 14 CAREkakis, 2 CaringSG staff and volunteers and 2 CAREchampions. It was really heartening to see both caregivers and their dependents enjoying themselves during this outing. 

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CaringSG Feb and Mar 2023 Needs Assessment Events @ Kampong Glam

CaringSG Feb and Mar 2023 Needs Assessment Events @ Kampong Glam

In order to check on the well-being of caregivers (such as financial, health and social), CaringSG conducted a needs assessment exercise for caregivers residing at Kampong Glam on 12 Feb and 18 Mar 2023.

                                                                             Kampong Glam CAREkakis and CaringSG preparing for the needs assessment

During the house visits, staff and volunteers also asked about the caregivers’ daily caregiving duties and whether they required any additional help as some of them might not be aware of the existing government schemes or avenues to seek help from.

A total of 23 families were engaged during the 2 dates (13 families in February and 10 families in March) and both outreach events were also supported by Enabling Lives Grant Initiative (funded by Tote Board and managed by SG Enable), Temasek Foundation, and Kampong Glam CCC.

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CaringSG Community Events in April 2023

CaringSG Community Events in April 2023

April was a busy month as CaringSG organised several events in Telok Blangah, Kampong Glam and Boon Lay.

1 April 2023 Caregivers Get Together (Telok Blangah)

On 1 April 2023, a caregiver get-together was held at Telok Blangah Community Club from 1pm to 3pm.  There was also a crafts workshop especially for the special needs dependents.

A total of 15 caregivers and 5 Special needs dependents turned up for the event. The purpose was for the caregivers residing at Telok Blangah to get to connect with one another over light refreshments. In this way, they would be able to know who to approach for support and assistance in the event of need. 

This event was supported by 3 CAREkaki and 6 CaringSG staff and volunteers, the Enabling Lives Initiative (ELI) Grant funded by Tote Board and managed by SG Enable, Temasek Foundation and Telok Blangah CCC.

1 April 2023 Raya Festive Distribution (Kampong Glam)

On the same day, 9 CAREkaki, 2 CaringSG staff and volunteers, 1 CAREchampion, 2 CAREambassadors from William Blair and another 2 CAREambassadors from NUS Yong Loo Lin also participated in a Hari Raya festive distribution to 33 families in Kampong Glam. It was indeed a fruitful day for Team CaringSG!

15 April 2023 Yoga Workshop (Boon Lay)

The third event was a yoga workshop which was held at Boon Lay Community Club on 15 April 2023 from 3pm to 4pm. 1 CAREkaki and 2 CaringSG staff and volunteer were there to help with the event.

During the workshop, caregivers and their dependents learnt various Yoga techniques like stretching, breathing and meditation which could help them to de-stress when they needed a short respite.

A total of 4 caregivers and 3 special needs dependents turned up for the event. Even though the workshop was just an hour long, it was a good opportunity for caregivers to connect with other caregivers and their loved ones and experienced the benefits of Yoga together.

This event was supported by the Enabling Lives Initiative (ELI) Grant funded by Tote Board and managed by SG Enable, Temasek Foundation and Boon Lay CCC.

15 April 2023 Give and Take Distribution (Kampong Glam)

Last but not least, there was also a “Give and Take” distribution session at Kampong Glam on the same day with 10 CAREkaki as well as 1 CaringSG staff distributing goodies to 50 families.

Stay tuned for CaringSG outreach and community events in the month of May!

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You have the power to save a life – 4 Mar 2023 CPR + AED Training (Boon Lay)

You have the power to save a life - 4 Mar 2023 CPR + AED Training (Boon Lay)

According to the Singapore Heart Foundation, immediate application of Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) can increase a victim’s survival rates by as high as 50%. In fact, taking a course will enable one with the confidence to spring into action to perform CPR or use an AED during an emergency.

To equip caregivers the skills and knowledge to perform CPR and use an AED, CAREkakis (who are trained grassroot volunteers by CaringSG), organised a CPR + AED training session for Boon Lay caregivers on 4 March 2023.  The training session was conducted at Boon Lay Community Centre from 2pm to 6pm with a total of 8 caregivers and 1 special needs dependent participating.

During the 4-hour training session, participants were taught the correct techniques of performing CPR safely as well as the steps on how to use an AED properly in conjunction with CPR. Participants were also certified once they had successfully fulfilled the passing criteria.

This course was supported by 2 CaringSG staff and volunteers and 1 CAREkaki and also by the Enabling Lives Grant Initiative funded by Tote Board and managed by SG Enable, Temasek Foundation and Boon Lay CCC.

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Celebrating Chinese New Year 2023: CaringSG and CAREkaki Outreach in Boon Lay and Kampong Glam

Celebrating Chinese New Year 2023: CaringSG and CAREkaki Outreach in Boon Lay and Kampong Glam

Prior to the Chinese New Year celebrations, Boon Lay Community Club collaborated with CaringSG to organise a CNY shopping event specially for Boon Lay residents on 8 Jan 2023 (Sunday).

The residents were able to purchase heavily discounted household necessities and groceries to their hearts’ content during this event. All costs were subsidised by 50%, up to a maximum of $100. For example, if a resident purchased goods worth $220, he/she only needed to pay $120!

A total of 7 CaringSG’s caregivers from Boon Lay attended the event and it was supported by three CAREkakis and three CaringSG staff and volunteers. 

CaringSG also organised a CNY festive goods distribution at various parts of Kampong Glam (e.g. Beach Road, Rowell, King George’s Avenue, Crawford, Kelantan, Waterloo-Selegie, Balestier NC) on 14 January 2023 from 10.30am to 1pm. 

Eighteen CAREkaki, eight CAREambassadors (students from Project Empower, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and students from Project Sincerely, Hwa Chong Institutition), four CAREchampions and three CaringSG staff and volunteers were involved in the distribution of festive goods to 68 families. Despite the downpour on the day, everyone’s spirit was not dampened.

Both outreach events were also supported by our partners Enabling Lives Grant Initiative by SG Enable and Tote Board, Temasek Foundation, and Boon Lay CCC (for CNY shopping event) and Kampong Glam CCC (for CNY festive goods distribution).

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Chinese New Year 2023 Get Together at Boon Lay Community Club

Chinese New Year 2023 Get Together at Boon Lay Community Club

As part of the Chinese New Year celebration, caregivers were treated to a CNY get together with other fellow caregivers on 11 February 2023 at Boon Lay Community Club from 12pm to 2pm.

During the 2-hour session, caregivers and their care recipients engaged in making simple Chinese New Year handicrafts like firecrackers and lanterns using red packets.  Fellow caregivers also mingled over catered food to celebrate this joyous occasion together. The event was supported by three CAREkakis, three CAREambassadors, and five CaringSG staff and volunteers. 

We sincerely thank everyone who attended this event and we look forward to seeing you all again in our upcoming ones.

CNY Get Together was also supported by our partners Enabling Lives Grant Initiative by SG Enable and Tote Board, Temasek Foundation and Boon Lay CCC.

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Tea Time at Ya Kun – Appreciation Campaign for Special Needs Caregivers and Families

Tea Time at Ya Kun – Appreciation Campaign for Special Needs Caregivers and Families

CaringSG and Ya Kun Kaya Toast collaborated to run an appreciation campaign for special needs caregivers and families.

Ya Kun encouraged their customers to fuel a caregiver of a person with special needs and show their appreciation by gifting them a cup of Ya Kun kopi or tea. Customers could participate in this initiative via Ya Kun’s Cherish app from 10 Oct to 30 Nov 2022.

Ya Kun also helped to spread awareness of what CaringSG does, by sharing with their customers that CaringSG is a caregiver-led initiative and registered non-profit organisation for special needs caregivers and the community. We were set up in 2020 and are supported by SG Enable.

Customers were further informed to visit www.caring.sg to learn more about how they can support special needs caregivers, and to check out www.enablingguide.sg if they are a person with disability or caregiver in need of support.

 

Tea Time at Ya Kun @ Far East Square

As part of the appreciation campaign, caregivers were treated to a traditional tea brunch of Kaya toast with butter set (Set A) at Ya Kun @ Far East Square on 12 November 2022. The meals and venue were kindly sponsored by Ya Kun Kaya Toast.

A total of 16 caregivers and 15 children turned up for the event, and participants could also take the opportunity to share their life experiences with other caregivers and their families. The children were engaged with simple board games, jigsaw puzzles and activities while enjoying their meals in Ya Kun’s flagship store that offered a rustic ambience reminiscing the good old days of kampung gatherings.

The event was supported by two CAREkakis, two CAREambassadors, four CaringSG staff and volunteers.  

We sincerely thank our kind sponsor Ya Kun Kaya Toast and all the Ya Kun customers who participated in this appreciation campaign with a kopi or tea treat to special needs caregivers.

This caregiver appreciation event was also supported by our partners (Enabling Lives Grant Initiative by SG Enable and Tote Board, Temasek Foundation and Boon Lay CCC).

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CaringSG’s First Ever Purple Parade!

CaringSG’s First Ever Purple Parade!

This year’s Purple Parade was held on 29 October 2022 at Suntec City to support inclusion and celebrate the abilities of persons with disabilities. 2022 marks the 10th anniversary for the Purple Parade, and the first time that CaringSG has participated in this event!

In the lead up to the Purple Parade, CaringSG held an online slogan quest for our members with two categories:

  • Category 1: non-caregiver members can create their own short slogans to encourage caregivers
  • Category 2: caregiver members can share their self-declared phrase that has always inspired them to remain motivated despite their challenges.

The contest ran until 30 November 2022. Scroll to the bottom of this article to see the winning slogans!

On the actual day of the Purple Parade, CaringSG members who dropped by the CaringSG booth and flashed their eCard were able to redeem limited edition free gifts (tote bag for caregiver members and a CaringSG badge for non-caregiver members). 

Members as well as the public could also purchase specially made handicrafts to support the caregivers and youths of CAREcottage families (see their beautiful handicrafts here).

The highlight of the Purple Parade was the marching of contingents where participants marched together to show solidarity for persons with disabilities. CaringSG, together with Centre for Fathering, formed a strong marching contingent of 88 participants. Everyone was really happy and proud to be part of this meaningful event.

The Purple Parade was supported by five CAREkakis, nine CaringSG staff and twenty-two volunteers. A loud shoutout and thank you to our partners (Enabling Lives Initiative Grant by SG Enable and Tote Board, and Temasek Foundation) who made this meaningful event possible. 

Congratulations to the following winners of our slogan quest!

We are greatly inspired by each and every one of your slogans and would like to announce the winners below:

  • CaringSG Online Slogan Quest Winner (Category 1): “All trials have an expiry date!” by Ms Tay 
  • CaringSG Online Slogan Quest Winner (Category 2): “You make a world of difference!” by Low Li Ting

We also hope these notable slogan submissions will bring warmth to your day:

  • “Together, We Can!” by Amir Yunus
  • “Laugh more, open your heart, and take each day as it comes” by Ernest
  • “Don’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the further you get.” by Lim Sook Wei
  • “There is always light at every tunnel ahead.” by Ng Tiong Hui
  • “Appreciate progress, no matter how small!!” by Poornima Rajaram
  • “Care and Compassion in Community makes us stronger” by Timothy Wong
  • “Mom is the best teacher for your own son! Love yourself, family first before you can love others” by Vivien Tanaka
  • “Open our heart to listen, to act.” by Wong KK
  • “Be brave, be persistent, be fun. Never give up! Yes, you can!” by Yuria Tantono

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Respite + Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration on 10 Sep 2022

Respite + Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration on 10 Sep 2022

The Mid-Autumn festival is celebrated on the 15th of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar every year. This year, the festival took place on 10 September 2022. 

In order to provide some respite for caregivers, CaringSG organised our Respite + Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration at Boon Lay CC where caregivers and their family members could get to participate in traditional fun-filled activities like lantern making, solving mid-autumn festival riddles, and a pomelo peeling competition.

Before the activities started, caregivers and their families were treated to a short massage session by the masseuses from the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) so that they would all be refreshed to take part in the activities.

During the event, families could also take photos at the photo booth to showcase the lanterns that their children had made.

Respite + Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration was supported by two CAREkakis, one CAREchampion, two CAREambassadors, and four CaringSG staff and volunteers.

A special shoutout and thank you to our partners (Enabling Lives Initiative Grant by SG Enable and Tote Board, Temasek Foundation and Boon Lay CCC) who made this memorable event possible. 

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Care4caregivers – Family bonding through sports

Care4caregivers – Family bonding through sports

CaringSG and co-organiser William Blair organised Care4caregivers, a sporting event for caregivers and their families on 8 Oct 2022. It was a good opportunity for caregivers with special needs family members to take a short break and bond with their loved ones through sports.

Held at the Hockey Village at Boon Lay Multi-Purpose pitch, the itinerary consisted of a mass warm up followed by simple workouts where everyone could participate easily, such as jumping jacks, arm circles and karate punches.

Breaks were scheduled in between physical activities to ensure that all participants, especially the kids, were well hydrated and rested sufficiently before proceeding to the next activities. The afternoon ended off with an entertaining “Dance & freeze” and “Pass the ball” activities.

Care4caregivers was supported by four CAREkakis, one CAREchampion, eight CAREambassadors, and four CaringSG staff and volunteers.

A special shoutout and thank you to our co-organiser William Blair who made this event possible.  This event was also supported by the Enabling Lives Initiative Grant by SG Enable and Tote Board, the Temasek Foundation, Boon Lay CCC and ActiveSG.

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