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Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth
Speeches

REACH Charity Golf Dinner 2026

Sectors

Charities

13 May 2026

Speech by Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Manpower, at REACH Charity Golf Dinner 2026 on 13 May 2026

Mr Lam Kun Kin, Chairman of REACH Community Services; 

Mr Michael Lai, Chief Executive Officer of REACH Community Services; 

Sponsors, Donors, Golfers, and Distinguished Guests,

Good Evening.

Introduction

  1. It is a pleasure and honour for me to be here and to meet several familiar faces. I hope you had a good golf session.

  2. I must first and foremost highlight that REACH has a special place in my heart.

    1. When I was serving as CEO of AIC, I worked closely with REACH and had the opportunity to see the good work that you do.

    2. You have expanded into many different domains. But expansion alone is not sufficient – what matters is the ability to do it well, and that is exactly what REACH has done.

 Mental Health: A Community Priority

  1. In 2024, the Ministry of Health’s National Population Health Survey reported that 25.5% of younger adults aged 18-29 have poor mental health, the highest among all age groups. That is one in four young adults. This was a significant increase from 16.5% in 2017.

  2. Many of you are supporters of REACH and have contributed generously.

    1. I want to say thank you. Your contributions towards REACH will go towards a truly worthy cause – supporting people with mental health needs.

    2. REACH does not just provide a service. They provide lifelines to people. Sometimes, simply having someone to talk to, or receiving a phone call at the right moment, can make the difference between life and death. This is not an easy area of work, and I must commend REACH for their wonderful work.

Transforming Lives Through Donor-supported Programmes

  1. Let me give you some examples of what REACH has been doing.

  2. Firstly, REACH runs Youth Community Programmes such as weekly tuition for students who may be from less privileged backgrounds. These are young people who need more than academic help – they need mentors and safe spaces.

    1. REACH has also partnered with TP ICAP, and together with them, they have been serving our very young people.

  3. There are also other examples, like partnering the Singapore Island Country Club for its annual charity golf event, so that many people can access the support they need without the burden of cost.

Conclusion

  1. To REACH, I hope you will reach your fundraising target, and continue reaching even greater heights in serving the community through the work that you do.

  2. To all the donors who have supported today’s event, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are donating to a wonderful cause, and I look forward to seeing you at future events as well.

  3. Thank you very much.

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