Helping Hands, Lasting Change: Why Volunteers Matter More Than Ever
• Volunteers are the backbone of charities, transforming lives from vulnerability to empowerment and helping build a more resilient, caring Singapore where no one is left behind.
• Through efforts like tutoring underprivileged students and supporting low-income families, volunteers bridge gaps and pave brighter futures for those they serve.
• Nurturing a spirit of giving from an early age encourages lifelong volunteerism, especially when early experiences are meaningful, autonomous, and relationship-driven.
• Volunteering changes not just the lives of beneficiaries, but also the volunteers themselves, offering a pathway to personal and professional growth and fulfilment.
“I was a teacher. English and Math,” the resident said softly, his voice coming alive for the first time – a striking change from his earlier detachment and moodiness. For Eugene Toh, a volunteer with Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) and trained in reminiscence therapy, it was a breakthrough he would never forget.
What began as a stilted, strained exchange turned into a heartfelt conversation as Eugene gently encouraged the resident – now in his 70s and living with dementia in an MWS nursing home – to share his fondest memories from his teaching days.
“That was the moment everything changed,” Eugene recalled. “His eyes lit up. He leaned forward. He told me about his students – how proud he was of them, how one became a Member of Parliament, how others blossomed in language and in life. His voice gained strength and there was a quiet fire in his eyes.”
“For those few minutes, he wasn’t just a patient or a senior – he was a teacher again, reliving memories that had meaning. It was no longer about cheering him up. It was about holding space for someone to reconnect with dignity, purpose, and joy. In that moment, he came alive in his memories — and I, in the quiet gratitude for all that I still have.”
Eugene is one of nearly 6,000 MWS volunteers – a growing community of individuals contributing to uplifting lives and bringing hope and joy to those in need. From befriending lonely seniors in nursing homes to tutoring children from underprivileged backgrounds and supporting families in overcoming debt and building savings, volunteers play a critical role in extending the reach and capacity of social service agencies like MWS. In the past financial year alone, their contributions translated into almost $280,000 in man-hour savings – resources that could be redirected toward direct care and critical services for beneficiaries.
Bridging Gaps, Changing Lives: From Vulnerability to Empowerment
Volunteers form the backbone of organisations like MWS, contributing their time, energy, and resources to uplift those in need.
According to the NCSS’ Volunteer Development Guide: Building Stronger Volunteers for Greater Impact, volunteers play a vital role in Singapore’s refreshed social compact – one that embraces a more inclusive definition of success, strengthens support for the vulnerable, and fosters a renewed spirit of solidarity.
It notes that as the demand for social services continues to grow, volunteers will be increasingly relied upon to help deliver programmes and meet the evolving needs of service users.
In Singapore’s journey toward greater social integration, volunteers are not only advocates of inclusivity and empathy – they are also catalysts for community-led change. Through their consistent acts of service, they build trust, foster connection, and inspire a culture of care – laying the foundation for a more resilient and caring nation where no one is left behind.
Their impact is evident across MWS’ services. At our Family Service Centres, Student Care Centre, and Girls’ Residence (GR), volunteers provide one-on-one tutoring to students from underserved backgrounds, helping to level the playing field in education and open the doors of upward mobility. Many of these students have shown good progress in their academic performance.
Similarly, MWS’ debt clearance and savings matching programme relies on volunteer befrienders to support low-income families in achieving financial stability. With their guidance, many families have successfully cleared their debts, developed positive saving habits, and begun paving brighter futures for themselves and their children.
At MWS GR, which supports vulnerable young women with histories of trauma and adverse childhood experiences, volunteers play a therapeutic role through carefully designed programmes that support healing and recovery.
One example is the Animal-Assisted Activities and Interventions, facilitated by volunteers from Human-Animal Bond in Ministry, which aim to promote emotional regulation and meaningful engagement through interaction with animals like rabbits, lovebirds, and cats.
Held monthly, the programme has led to noticeable change in the young residents. Through curated activities – each with specific learning objectives – they develop soft skills such as empathetic communication, conflict management, and self-awareness.
These animal interactions offer a safe space for the young women to practise skills essential for building healthy relationships with people.
“I hope to uplift the girls by being a listening ear and a friend who points them in the right path and encourages them to pursue their aspirations,” shared 43-year-old Loo Hwei Kwin, one of the volunteers.
Research in Singapore shows that individuals who begin volunteering in their youth – especially when those early experiences are meaningful and well-supported – are more likely to continue giving back as adults.
A 2024 study titled “Narrowing ‘Bathtub Volunteerism’ in Singapore and Beyond” by Jin Yao Kwan and Laura Wray-Lake explores this phenomenon. The term “bathtub volunteerism” describes the trend where volunteer participation is high during school years – due to compulsory programmes like the Community Involvement Programme and Values in Action – but declines in young adulthood, often resuming later in life.
The study found that when adolescents and young adults had high-quality volunteer experiences – characterised by autonomy, empathy development, personal meaning, and strong interpersonal relationships – they were more likely to continue volunteering beyond their school years. This research suggests that enhancing the quality of volunteer experiences during adolescence can foster sustained civic engagement into adulthood.
Nurturing a Spirit of Giving from Young
For Mdm Toh Peck Yin, the value of volunteering took root early, grounded in her Christian faith. At just 14, she answered the call to serve as a pianist in her church. Now in her 70s, and up until health setbacks in 2024, she continued to play faithfully – once a month for Christ Methodist Church, and weekly for seniors at MWS Senior Care Centre – Eunos.
“Growing up in church, there was always a culture of service,” Mdm Toh shared. “I’ve always seen the value in giving back to society and others, rather than focusing only on myself. The idea of giving – whether it’s our time, talents, or money – was instilled in me from a young age. We were taught that these are gifts from God, and we should always be ready to use them for the good of others.”
Volunteering isn’t just about giving back – it’s a powerful catalyst for growth and fulfilment. By stepping out of their comfort zones and connecting with people from all walks of life, volunteers broaden their perspectives, develop soft skills like empathy and communication, and find deeper purpose that enriches both their personal and professional journeys.
For some, volunteering even sparks new career paths.
Changing Lives – Starting with Your Own
Take Melissa Teo, for example. After two decades in the corporate world, she decided to pursue a degree in guidance and counselling. While exploring her next steps, Melissa began volunteering at MWS Active Ageing Centre – GreenTops@Sims Place (GTAAC). There, she honed her event planning and befriending skills, applying her counselling knowledge to support seniors in need and build a more connected and respectful community.
Her volunteering experience opened doors to a full-time role at MWS GTAAC, where she now mentors volunteers, runs programmes, and offers befriending and counselling support.
Reflecting on her journey, Melissa shared, “I never knew I had such endless patience and empathy for seniors. It was through volunteering that I realised I truly love the seniors – including those who could be challenging – and I wanted to continue engaging with them.”
This journey of self-discovery is one that Eugene also experienced. From befriending nursing home residents to serving on the MWS Board of Governance as Chairperson, volunteering gave him opportunities to connect, grow, and contribute meaningfully.
“Volunteering isn’t just about what we do – it’s about creating space for others to feel seen, heard, and valued. And along the way, we often uncover something about ourselves too, ” he shared.
“Each act of service stretches our empathy. Each encounter sharpens our awareness. Each moment we choose to listen, rather than instruct, makes us better – not just as volunteers, but as people.”
Through these everyday moments of care, Eugene, who is a key policymaker in a public sector agency, learned that real change often begins with the simplest human gestures. “Yes, there’s a time for action and decision-making,” he reflected. “But volunteering taught me that some of the most powerful moments happen when we simply pause to listen – and in doing so, help someone else feel alive again. If you are looking for growth, start by volunteering. You may begin by giving – but you will walk away changed.”
Join the Movement. Heal a Nation.
When volunteers step forward, entire communities are lifted. Whether it’s co-teaching English classes or befriending a homebound senior, every small act of service brings us closer to a more caring and resilient Singapore.
This year, as we celebrate SG60 and The Methodist Church in Singapore marks its 140th anniversary, Methodist Welfare Services invites you to be part of The Healing Nation – a movement to mobilise 1.4 million volunteer hours of care, connection, and hope.
Visit https://thehealingnation.sg/ to find out how you can get involved.
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