TOUCH Community Services

From counsellors to therapists, Singapore’s mental health practitioners play different roles and use tailored approaches to provide support and guidance to individuals facing emotional or psychological challenges.   Mr Daniel Wong, Counsellor from TOUCH Mental Wellness shares that besides providing a listening ear, counsellors employ talk therapy to guide clients through specific challenges and help them devise strategies to move forward.   At TOUCH, we believe in empowering individuals to rise above their circumstances through personalised therapy and counselling programmes. Together with community partners and your support, we can enable others to overcome their challenges.   Read more at: https://lnkd.in/gU7XtXcx

As we commemorate World Mental Health Day in October, let’s hear from Charmaine Jalleh, Senior Counsellor from TOUCH Mental Wellness, who shares three effective ways to care for our mental health at work so that we can better help others.   Read more at: https://lnkd.in/gt_pN48f

We are thrilled to be part of #AFullPlate, Singapore’s largest food donation drive by FairPrice Group!   #AFullPlate will help support some 200 vulnerable families and 500 seniors under TOUCH’s care through the provision of food vouchers and curated gift packs comprising fresh and healthy food items.   At TOUCH, we believe that access to healthy meals is the start to a healthier lifestyle and would enhance the wellbeing of our beneficiaries. A big thank you to FairPrice Group for partnering us to support communities in need! 

When Mr John Loh found out that a senior under his care had died by suicide, he was shocked and heartbroken.   As the lead driver for TOUCH’s Medical Escort and Transport service team, this incident was a turning point in John’s career. It also marked the start of his proactive approach to reach out to other lonely seniors and encourage them to find new friends and support through community activities.   On top of shuttling seniors to their medical appointments daily, John also invites them to join him for lunch and accompanies them for their consultations.   John is one of five individuals from TOUCH who received the Healthcare Humanity Awards 2024, which recognises outstanding healthcare and community care professionals who have gone beyond their call of duty to offer care and comfort to those in need. We are so proud of our colleagues who have gone the extra mile for our clients!   Read more at: https://lnkd.in/gvzT27x7

We are honoured to share that five of our staff have won the Healthcare Humanity Awards (HHA)! The HHA recognises outstanding healthcare workers who are inspirational role models for going the extra mile to offer care and comfort to those in need.   A huge congratulations to: • Chai Kim Yoke, Home Care Assistant from TOUCH Home Care • Ong Wee Ying, Senior Nurse from TOUCH Home Care • Loh Tuck Poh, Lead Driver from TOUCH Home Care • Cheong Sook Peng, Senior Social Worker from TOUCH Community Case Management • Ooi Chai Hong, Programme Executive from TOUCHpoint@Geylang Bahru   Your dedication to our clients and community is truly commendable. Thank you for all that you do!

Did you know that 17 October marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP)? It reminds us of our commitment to empower lower-income groups to break out of poverty.  Due to lack of financial resources and support networks, lower-income households are more susceptible to external shocks like inflation and retrenchment. Compounded with internal circumstances like limited savings and chronic health issues, these households have become more vulnerable and lack the capacity to improve their circumstances on their own. From November 2024 to March 2025, join seasoned practitioners from TOUCH, with decades of experience working with lower-income families, for a series of Empowerment Workshops conducted in partnership with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS). The workshops are recommended for professionals and volunteers working with lower-income families. Interested participants can find out more at: https://lnkd.in/gE2M-3Mr Please note that our second workshop will be held on Jan 2025, not 2024.

What does inclusivity in the workplace mean? For Loh Sau Kuen, who received the Enabling Buddy Award by SG Enable, it is about being intentional in embracing people with special needs and engaging a community of likeminded people to come alongside and provide support.   As the Senior Art Facilitator for the TOUCH SpecialCrafts programme at TOUCH Centre for Independent Living, she develops the centre’s art curriculum and supervises two employees with intellectual disability as they develop and produce handcrafted products for sale.   By creating a culture of understanding and empathy at the workplace, she has helped these two colleagues gain confidence and succeed in their jobs.    We are grateful for staff like Sau Kuen who have shown that it is possible to break barriers and adopt more inclusive workplace practices for persons with intellectual disabilities! 

TOUCH is pleased to be a part of the 15M social movement for residents in communities to connect and act together for each other’s health. We encourage our seniors to stay active and mentally well through our five Active Ageing Centres in Ang Mo Kio, Geylang Bahru, Yishun and Wellington. Special thanks to National Healthcare Group for this inspiring video which also highlights how our seniors in Geylang Bahru are making a healthy lifestyle their shared journey and doing their part in building a caring community. Watch more at: https://lnkd.in/gN6Jxdxk

This World Mental Health Day, we’re reminded of the power of community. Here’s a sharing from our CEO about how a caring community can make a difference in the journey of healing.

TOUCH has partnered LG Electronics Singapore to provide better living conditions for beneficiaries under our care. This partnership aims to support families in Singapore by replacing faulty or outdated fridges, washing machines or televisions with newer LG appliances.   A total of 70 appliances and TVs will be donated to 45 families this year to improve their immediate living conditions.    “We are grateful for LG’s generous donation of essential home appliances which would benefit the families we serve. Access to these home appliances provides these families with greater convenience and enhances their daily living. This partnership reflects our shared commitment in uplifting the lives of the vulnerable in the community, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our families,” said Mr James Tan, CEO of TOUCH Community Services.   A big thank you to LG Electronics Singapore for partnering us to uplift families in need!   Photo credits: LG Electronics Singapore