THE HEALING NATION:
BUILDING A MOVEMENT OF CARE
Launched in 2025, The Healing Nation (THN) is Methodist Welfare Services’ response to a growing challenge facing Singapore: how can we build a stronger, more sustainable care ecosystem to meet the growing community needs amid an ageing population and shrinking workforce?
Inspired by the 140th anniversary of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) and aligned with the spirit of Forward Singapore, THN seeks to mobilise individuals, communities, and organisations to give back to the community.
The national initiative which also marked the Methodist community’s contribution to Singapore in commemoration of SG60 had two ambitious goals:
- Mobilising 1.4 million hours of volunteer service
- Raising $1.4 million to support vulnerable individuals and families served by MWS, other charities and social service agencies, as well as Methodist partners
To make volunteering more accessible, MWS partnered with Give.Asia to develop TheHealingNation.sg, an artificial intelligence enabled platform that connects individuals with volunteering opportunities based on their interests, skills, and availability.
It also collaborated with Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and SG Cares Volunteer Centres to bring together volunteering opportunities across charities and social service agencies. By making it easier for people to discover meaningful ways to serve, THN aims to foster a more connected and volunteer powered community care ecosystem.
Alongside volunteer mobilisation, THN also provided practical support to individuals and families facing hardship. Through the generosity of donors and supporters, the initiative surpassed its fundraising target, helping vulnerable individuals and families meet urgent needs and navigate difficult circumstances with greater stability and dignity. At its heart, THN is an invitation to reimagine community care as a shared responsibility. Across Singapore, individuals have stepped forward to contribute in ways both large and small – from giving their time and skills to supporting those facing difficult circumstances.
Together, we are building a more compassionate and resilient society where no one has to journey alone.
The stories that follow offer a glimpse of this growing movement – of lives uplifted through timely support, and volunteers who have chosen to make a difference, one act of care at a time.
Answering the Call to Serve
From offering a fresh haircut to checking in on isolated seniors, these THN volunteers are making a difference in simple yet meaningful ways.
A bad haircut inspired him to give back
As a child, Alvin Foo was troubled by the poor haircut his grandmother received at a nursing home. Decades later, that memory inspired him to become a volunteer hairdresser, offering free haircuts to seniors, patients, and inmates across Singapore. Through the THN platform, Alvin signed up to be a volunteer barber at Green Avenue Home for the Elderly. For the 56-year old, each haircut is more than grooming – it is a way to restore dignity, offer human connection, and help people feel cared for.
I want to help them feel more comfortable staying in the nursing home, to lighten up their spirits, and to look more refreshed and energised, so they have the will to continue living and even bring cheer to those around them.
She makes sure no senior slips through the cracks
For more than a decade, Valerie Ng has dedicated her time to supporting seniors, driven by a natural rapport with older adults and a desire to live out her faith through service. Through THN, she found an opportunity to volunteer with Goodlife Studio (Bedok), an Active Ageing Centre operated by Montfort Care. As a senior outreach volunteer, Valerie makes regular door-to-door visits to connect with older residents, encourage participation in centre activities, and link those in need to practical support and community services. For Valerie, each visit is a chance to remind seniors that they are seen and cared for.
I feel truly enriched when I volunteer because it reminds me of the joy and blessing in giving to others.
When Help Arrived
From mental health challenges to single parenthood, these stories show how support from THN helped individuals and families through some of life’s most difficult moments.
Their bank account had only $2 left
When 70-year-old widower Woo Hong Liang’s son was
diagnosed with schizophrenia and subsequently lost his job,
the family was left without a stable income. With savings
exhausted and bills mounting, Hong Liang resorted to
borrowing money for food and basic needs. By the time his
social worker sought support through THN, the family’s bank account had just $2 left. The grant provided immediate relief,
helping to clear urgent bills and giving his son the breathing
room to focus on recovery and finding employment.
Now that the bills have been cleared, I don’t have to worry so much anymore.
She worked two jobs to keep her family afloat
When Aisyah’s* husband walked out on her in 2023, the 31-year-old was suddenly thrust into single parenthood with two young children. To make ends meet, she worked 12-hour night shifts while taking on a part-time cleaning job during the day. The strain deepened when her elder child developed a chronic lung condition requiring frequent hospitalisation, while her
own nerve condition worsened and eventually led to job loss. Support from THN enabled her to meet a significant school-related expense while rebuilding stability for her family.
*Not her real name
I went all around asking for help, but no one helped us the way MWS did.
Legal fees mounted as her income disappeared
When Shannon* sought legal protection for her
children from her husband’s harsh discipline,
the decision ultimately led to an acrimonious
divorce. As she was pursuing further studies
to improve her employment prospects at the
time, she was without a steady income. A THN
grant helped offset some of the legal costs
arising from the divorce, reducing her stress
and anxiety.
*Not her real name
Receiving this support during the most difficult period of my life feels like a blessing.
Overnight, she became the sole breadwinner
Widowed in 2022, Yvonne Lai returned to work after more than a decade as a homemaker to support her three children. As the family’s sole breadwinner, she juggled work and caregiving responsibilities while managing rising household expenses. The support from THN helped ensure her eldest son could receive the educational support he needed.
It shows me that there is still love in society and reminds us that we are not alone.
At 80, he is still working to support his family
For more than four decades, Ng Ah Hock
has run a kway chap stall alongside his wife.
But changing dietary habits and a decline in
customers following the pandemic has made it
increasingly difficult to sustain the business.
At the same time, the couple helps support
their daughter’s family, including an autistic
and non-verbal granddaughter whose care
needs make it difficult for her mother to
work full-time. A THN grant helped to
lighten the financial pressures on the
household as Ah Hock continues
supporting three generations.
I was very grateful to receive the grant. It has helped lighten my load.