Tag: SG Enable

Categories
Our Blog

i care! Gala Dinner: Dr Lim Hong Huay’s Speech on 25 March 2023

i care! Gala Dinner: Dr Lim Hong Huay's Speech on 25 March 2023

SPEECH BY DR LIM HONG HUAY, CHAIRPERSON, CARINGSG LTD AT CARINGSG i care! GALA DINNER ON 25 MARCH 2023, SATURDAY, 8.00PM AT CARLTON HOTEL.

Minister Desmond Lee
Mayor Denise Phua
Parl Sec Ms Rahayu Mahzam
Ms Rachel Ong, Advisor from Telok Blangah
Dr Gerard Ee, Chairman of the Charity Council and Agency for Integrated Care
Board members and advisors of CaringSG
Distinguished guests, colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening. Thank you for joining us at CaringSG’s “i care!” Charity Gala Dinner. Your presence tonight is an immense encouragement to the team at CaringSG, and I believe to all the caregivers and families of persons with disabilities.

In 2021, CaringSG was born out of the fire of COVID pandemic. Despite the unprecedented challenges we faced, I am deeply grateful that when we caregivers stepped forward, YOU, came behind us.

For the Project 3i pilot programs, the CAREconnect, CAREbuddy and CAREwell, we received strong support from the Temasek Foundation, NCSS, and the Enabling Lives Initiative (ELI) Grant funded by Tote Board, managed by SG Enable. Project 3i is also the key pilot project under the SG Together Alliance for Action for Caregivers of Persons with Disabilities, formed by NCSS and SG Enable.

In addition, we matured as a charitable organization through the support of the Majurity Trust’s Maybank Momentum Grant, the Tan Ean Kiam Foundation, the ONERHT Foundation, Micron Technology, William Blair International and many generous donors and supporters. Many of you are here among us today. We are now an Institution of Public Character.

CaringSG is here today, because you believe in caregivers, you believe in a Singapore who says “i care!” Thank you for caring together with us!

As we exit the pandemic and settle into this new era of Caring Together, I am excited to share that the CaringSG team has lined up amazing new programs this year.

To name a few, we will be scaling up our flagship Project 3i programs to reach more caregivers and better support them. We will also be launching the STEP ONE program in July. This is a training and support program for new caregivers of young children with developmental needs.

It is funded by SG Enable, and we aim to reach 400 caregivers in 1 year. The program will provide caregivers with knowledge and skills about early intervention, so that they are better equipped to help their children develop and grow. This will help more caregivers to be more effective as equal and collaborative partners with the early intervention teams for their children.

In addition, the STEP ONE program will connect caregivers to other caregivers through support group sessions. In addition to STEP ONE, in November’s caregiver month, we will re-start our signature CAREcarnivals again. The first CAREcarnival at Enabling Village was a huge success in 2019 before the pandemic hit us.

This November, we will be collaborating with the Agency for Integrated Care, the National Council of Social Service and SG Enable to organise a National CAREcarnival and Conference. So stay tuned to our CaringSG channels as we will have more exciting news for you!

For now, let me bring you back to tonight’s exciting program! To help us to care for more caregivers and their loved ones, the “i care!” campaign aims to raise $500,000 by 31 March. So tonight, we really need you to be extra extra extra generous.

The CaringSG team has put together a wonderful program for you tonight. I am sure you have enjoyed the piano recital by Dr Patrick Ang in the Auction gallery during the cocktail earlier, and the heartwarming opening performance by our Very Special Choir. Please give Dr Patrick and the VSC families another round of big applause again!

In addition, tonight you will also enjoy a guitar duet, vocal solo, guzheng and piano duet lovingly put together by our CaringSG youth, families, and friends. In between the performances, we will also have lucky draws with big prizes generously sponsored by the Carlton Hotel, so please remember to drop your lucky draw tickets in the box if you have not done so.

There’s also something exciting happening in silence behind the stage! That’s our Silent Art Auction. I am sure you have seen the amazing artworks displayed outside the gallery. If you have not done so, please feel free to pop out to have a good look and put in your bid either through the online bidding form or the hardcopy form available at the auction desk in the gallery.

Each of these specially curated art pieces is the one and only unique piece of its kind. You cannot find them anywhere else and there is no reproduction. They have been generously donated by our artists, whom you can read more about in our Project i care! microsite. Please support and bid generously. Winners will be invited to take pictures with our guest of honor, Minister Desmond Lee and artists at the presentation later.

Last but not least, if this is still not enough to show how big your hearts are for caregivers of special needs children and people with disabilities, please donate through our giving.sg “i care!” campaign page. You can also donate via cheque donation.

Please feel free to scan the QR codes on your table to access the gala dinner microsite, auction, and donation information.

Last but not least, thank you for being part of this “i care!” family. Please enjoy yourselves thoroughly tonight. Let the shows begin!

Other Updates

Categories
Our Blog

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).

Other Updates

Categories
Our Blog

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

Other Updates

Categories
Our Blog

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. 

Other Updates

Categories
Our Blog

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.

Other Updates

Categories
Our Blog

CaringSG Forum on Social Support and Residential Needs

CaringSG Forum on Social Support and Residential Needs

CaringSG held a physical form on social support and residential needs on 20 Aug 2022 at Boon Lay Community Club. Twelve special needs families with three children attended the event.

Caregivers learnt about various forms of social support from Ms Chloe Huang (Deputy Director, Service Coordination and Advice, SG Enable).

Childminding activities were also provided for children who attended. The event was organised by three CAREkakis, two CAREambassadors, and four CaringSG staff and volunteers.

This event was also supported by the Enabling Lives Initiative Grant by SG Enable and Tote Board.

Visit our FB post to see more photos of the event.

Other Updates

Categories
Our Blog

Family Bonding – Discover With Me @ Singapore Discovery Centre (11 June 2022)

Family Bonding - Discover With Me @ Singapore Discovery Centre (11 June 2022)

CaringSG and Centre for Fathering organised a family bonding event for 45 participants from 12 special needs families at the Singapore Discovery Centre.

Families enjoyed activities such as Amazing Race, Black Laser Battlefield, Free & Easy Pedal Boat Ride, and XD Ride. There was also a talk on fathers’ roles in special needs caregiving by Centre of Fathering.

This event was supported by two CAREkakis, one CAREchampion, and 12 CAREambassadors (three William Blair CSR volunteers, 3 student volunteers and 5 youth volunteers), together with four CaringSG staff and volunteers.

Special thanks to our supporters Centre For Fathering, the Enabling Lives Initiative Grant by SG Enable and Tote Board, Temasek Foundation, and Boon Lay CCC!

More photos of the event can be viewed at our Facebook page

Other Updates

Categories
Our Blog

Forum on Future Care Planning – Legal Aspects (14 May 2022)

Forum on Future Care Planning - Legal Aspects (14 May 2022)

CaringSG’s CAREconnect Programme organised a forum on Future Care Planning – Legal Aspects, for special needs caregivers at Boon Lay Community Club on 14 May 2022.

During this two-hour session, seven caregivers learnt how to prepare for their dependent’s future planning with speakers Mr Tan Shen Kiat (Director of KITH & KIN Law Corporation) and caregiver Mrs Koh Soek Ying (Founder of Mustard Tree).

With support from two CAREkakis, two CAREambassadors and three CaringSG staff and volunteers, caregivers could fully focus on the sharing as childminding was provided for the four children who attended.

Special thanks to the Enabling Lives Initiative Grant by SG Enable and Tote Board, Temasek Foundation, and Boon Lay CCC for their support as well!

Other Updates