Ensuring that Singaporeans are active and connected through their senior years

1. Mr Speaker Sir, MCCY believes that our seniors’ golden years should be fulfilling ones, where seniors can continue to pursue their aspirations and also give back to society. We agree with suggestions made by many honourable members that seniors should be involved in the wider community – be it through volunteerism, sport, or the arts.

Volunteerism

2. Our seniors may have transited out of the workforce, but they continue to have much to offer due to their wealth of life experiences and skillsets. Through volunteerism, seniors can also reap benefits such as sustained social and mental wellness. At the same time, they will serve as inspiration and role models for future generations, and strengthen our society through norms and values.

3. According to the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre’s (NVPC) Individual Giving Surveys, volunteerism rates among those 50 years and older have been growing steadily over the years – from 13% in 2008, to 29% in 2016. In fact, our seniors have been shown to be far more avid and consistent at volunteering than younger age groups!

4. We agree with the recommendation made by members to provide more support for seniors’ volunteer efforts. We will continue to grow partnerships with community partners to engage more seniors.

5. MCCY has already been working alongside a number of organisations that help match seniors to volunteering activities, according to their interests, availability and preferred locations. One such organisation is RSVP Singapore, which has been actively training and matching over 2,500 silver volunteers for the past 20 years. We will continue to support RSVP and similar groups.

6. NVPC has been exploring partnerships with learning institutions and community organisations that run courses for older PMETs. Through such partnerships, older PMETS can be connected to volunteer opportunities where they can apply their newly acquired skills, such as community gardening or befriending.

7. As Mr Ang Wei Neng has raised, senior volunteers can provide valuable advisory services to VWOs. We agree that the Centre for Non-Profit Leadership’s, or CNPL’s, BoardMatch Programme is doing good work in reaching out to committed and highly qualified professionals across various industries and sectors, and identifying candidates who are able to serve non-profit organisations in a leadership capacity. There are many opportunities for such volunteers to help with building up governance capabilities and bringing fresh perspectives to a non-profit sector.

8. Senior volunteerism is an integral part of the larger SG Cares movement where we want to grow care and inclusivity in Singapore. We hope to identify more champions from various walks of life, who can rally fellow seniors to serve in their communities.

Sport

9. We also support the recommendation to encourage seniors to take greater ownership of their health. We will continue to dedicate more resources to cater to their needs in the area of sport and exercise.

10. Beyond the ActiveSG Masters Programme mentioned in the report, we also have Active Health. It is a national social movement that goes beyond healthcare to health, to celebrate living.

11. To kick-start their journey, seniors can visit an Active Health Lab for a free onboarding session to assess their health status and fitness level. Active Health experts will then work with them to set personal health and wellness goals. Seniors can then get active by participating in programmes at our ActiveSG centres and Sport-in-Precinct facilities. To-date, two Labs have been opened at Our Tampines Hub and Heartbeat@Bedok, with another four more scheduled to be opened in Bishan, Jurong East, Sengkang and Woodlands by end-March 2019. There are also Active Health Mobile Labs deployed across the island for those who do not live near an Active Health Lab.

12. Living better through sport is not limited to physical activities. It includes community roles for seniors who can sign up to be Team Nila volunteers at ActiveSG centres. They can serve as sport or Active Health champions, where they have opportunities to meet like-minded volunteers while they galvanise the community to get active.

13. MCCY is also working with SportSG to ensure that our sporting spaces are designed to cater to our seniors. For example, at the upcoming ActiveSG gym in Ang Mo Kio Community Centre, seniors can participate in elder-friendly exercise programmes when it opens later this year. We will make sure all our ActiveSG gyms provide an environment that is safe and accessible for our active agers, and furnished with equipment that is suitable for their usage. There will also be qualified staff on-site to provide any assistance.

Arts

14. It is important to involve our seniors in our arts and heritage too. This can improve their quality of life, while enriching our cultural offerings. As pointed out by Mr Terence Ho, the arts can play an important role in building social bonds and increasing mental well-being as we age. MCCY, NAC and NHB are working very closely with the arts community, and other partners from the social service and healthcare sectors, on programmes that are accessible and relevant to our seniors.

15. For instance, NAC has organised an annual Silver Arts Festival since 2012 to showcase the creativity of our seniors and promote inter-generational bonding. The 2018 Festival featured a community arts project between youths and seniors from NTUC Health Active Ageing Hub at Kampung Admiralty, which included an installation and performance on the theme of ‘happiness’. In addition, our Heritage Institutions serve as Silver Hubs to promote active ageing. For example, seniors and their families, friends and caregivers can engage one another through a Conversation Starter Kit co-developed by NHB and the National Council of Social Services, Care Corner, SAGE Counselling Centre, TOUCH Community Services, and Yong-En Care Centre. This kit includes images of significant landmarks and artefacts, prompting the exchange of personal memories and inter-generational dialogues.

16. MCCY, NAC and NHB will continue these efforts. We want to ensure that our seniors have ample opportunities to participate in our arts and culture landscape. Sir, allow me to say a few words in Mandarin.

Conclusion

17. 议长先生：新加坡社会结构正在迅速改变，人口平均年龄持续提高，如何让国人的乐龄生活过得更活跃、充实、健康、精彩，是文化、社区及青年部的工作目标。我们计划创造更多的机会与渠道，让年长者充分参与志愿服务、体育以及艺术活动。我们正积极地与不同机构合作，根据乐龄人士的兴趣、时间和地点帮他们配对相关的义工活动，鼓励他们投入社区服务。此外，艺术与文化不但能促进年长者多沟通交流，也能够提升他们的生活素质。文社青部、新加坡艺术理事会和国家文物局便与艺术团体、社工与医疗保健组织紧密合作，构创适合银发族的艺术活动，让他们乐享黄金年华。当然，拥有健康的体魄也非常重要。文社青部与新加坡体育理事会密切配合，建设更多亲乐龄的体育设施，尤其是由新加坡体育理事会管理的公共健身房，都会陆续安装适合年长者使用的健身器材，协助他们保持身心活跃健康。

18. Let me now conclude in English, Mr Speaker. Many of our seniors want to continue making a positive impact to society, and remain active and connected throughout their silver years. We recognise that they have much to offer for future generations. Hence we must support them as best as we can, and involve them in the community in ways that are meaningful and fulfilling. Mr Speaker Sir, I support the motion.