Our History
how it began
The seed for the formation of Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) was sown by Mr Peter Joe Chia in June 1976. It took root in 1977 when the board of social concerns of the Trinity Annual Conference, under the leadership of Mr Lee Liat Cheng, appointed Dr Chia Lin Sien to draft a constitution for its formation. This was subsequently presented to the Council of Christian Social Concerns in September 1980 for further action.
A pro-tem committee under the leadership of Mr Richard Tambyah, the chairman of the Council of Christian Social Concerns, subsequently formed to register MWS under the Societies Act. Registration was approved in October 1981, leading to the formal establishment of MWS.
From a humble starter project of a small nursing home for 24 sick elderly, MWS has grown to 24 centres and programmes islandwide, serving over 22,000 families and individuals across age groups, ethnicities, and religions.
Key Milestones
1980s: The Early Years
1980
The Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) was formed by the General Conference of The Methodist Church in Singapore.1981
MWS was officially established.1982
MWS was first granted Institution of Public Character (IPC) status.
1983
The Methodist Home for the Aged Sick admitted its first 6 residents.
1986
MWS made its first presentation of Bursary Awards to students in need.
1987
MWS partnered Kampong Kapor Methodist Church to set up its first Family Service Centre at Blk 640 Rowell Road.1990s: An Era of Rapid Expansion
1990
Our first hospice ministry, the Agape Fellowship, was formed. This was subsequently renamed Methodist Hospice Fellowship.
1991
MWS' Tampines Family Service Centre was set up at Blk 470 Tampines St 44 in partnership with Pentecost Methodist Church.1993
The Bukit Batok Senior Citizens' Activity Centre, a joint project with Bukit Panjang Methodist Church, began operations.
1994
Charis Student Care Centre was opened.
1996
MWS signed an MOU with Paya Lebar Methodist Church for a community outreach partnership with Covenant Family Service Centre.
1997
Christalite Methodist Home, a partnership with Christ Methodist Church, officially opened.1999
MWS signed an MOU with Barker Road Methodist Church for Methodist Children & Youth Centre; and with Hinghwa Methodist Church for D‘Joy Children’s Centre. Daybreak Family Service Centre was also officially opened.2000s: MWS Expands into Preventive Care
2000
Bethany Methodist Nursing Home opened at Choa Chua Kang and residents of the Methodist Home for the Aged Sick relocated to the new nursing home.
2001
Wesley HomeJoy Service began operations, providing home-based help to the elderly living in the Northwest region. Sembawang Family Service Centre opened, in partnership with Covenant Community Methodist Church.2003
Methodist Children & Youth Centre for Parenting was launched to better equip parents through Triple P (Positive Parenting Program).2010
Wesley Senior Activity Centre, a partnership with Wesley Methodist Church, opened in Jalan Berseh.2010s: A Period of Growth and Review
2011
MWS established Residence@St George's, a girls' hostel for youth aged 16-21 years old, a first of its kind in Singapore.
2014
Charis Activity Centre for Elders, a community outreach partnership with Charis Methodist Church, started in March.
2015
MWS created the Getting Out Of Debt (GOOD) Programme, a one-off debt relief scheme, in conjunction with Singapore's Golden Jubilee and the 130th Anniversary of The Methodist Church in Singapore.2016
MWS launched the Family Development Programme, and opened three new Senior Activity Centres (SACs): MWS SAC - GreenTops@Sims Place in partnership with Geylang Chinese Methodist Church; MWS SAC - Teck Ghee Vista with Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church; and MWS SAC - Fernvale Rivergrove with Sengkang Methodist Church.
2017
MWS Nursing Home – Yew Tee opened. MWS set up two more Senior Activity Centres (SAC): MWS SAC - Golden Lily@Pasir Ris with Pentecost Methodist Church; and MWS SAC - Kebun Baru with Ang Mo Kio Chinese Methodist Church.
2019
MWS Family Support Programme was launched.2020s: MWS Further Expands as the Social Service Sector Evolves
2020
MWS took over the running of Christalite Student Care Centre, in partnership with Christalite Methodist Chapel.2021
MWS celebrates its 40th anniversary.
2022
MWS Senior Care Centre – Eunos officially opened.2023
MWS announces partnership with ACS to launch ACS Academy, a special education (SPED) school.
