The most precious gift you can give someone is your time. As shared by Council for Third Age (C3A), senior volunteerism has many benefits such as improve family bonding, enhance social interaction and maintain physical and mental well-being.
So why not consider volunteering to make your retirement years more meaningful? Here are some programmes you can lend a helping hand.
Share-a-Pot Programme
Spend your time cooking up a storm and serving soup to other seniors. You will also conduct simple exercises to strengthen bones, brawn, brain and bonds. The programme aims to improve the welfare of other seniors through good nutrition and physical exercise. Nothing is more meaningful than being there for others when they need you. Sign up as a volunteer at www.shareapot.sg or email your enquires to shareapot@ktph.com.sg.
Kopitiam Diaries
What better way to pass time than over a cup of coffee with other ‘kakis’? Coffee and friends make the perfect blend. At Kopitiam Diaries, a group of seniors get together to brew coffee and belt out oldies with the residents of Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital. Retire well by befriending residents in a coffeeshop setting to improve their well-being. Contact Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital at 6422 1291 or email volunteer@kwsh.org.sg.
Episodic Volunteering Programme
Not sure whether you ready to commit to volunteering? This is the perfect programme for you. RSVP Singapore - The Organisation of Senior Volunteers is a non-profit organisation that actively engages seniors in volunteerism by providing one-off opportunities. You can find more about becoming a volunteer with RSVP Singapore.
RSVP Singapore offers a wide range of programmes that you can contribute to:
Life is better with friends. For the amiable, you can offer your IT expertise and companionship to others through Cyberguide Programme.
In MyBuddy Programme, you will pay visits to patients and boost their lives with your sunny outlook.
Make friends with rehabilitating mental patients in the Mentally Disadvantaged Outreach Programme (MDOP).
You can also mentor at-risk youths and underprivileged school children to help nurture our next generation with the Mentoring Programme.