TOUCH Community Services

How can we build a stronger ecosystem of support for persons with disabilities (PwDs) in the community? For Mr Fong Chong Meng who was diagnosed with mild intellectual disability, he found a home in TOUCH Ubi Hostel (TUH), a residential training hostel that aims to help PwDs improve their life and readiness skills, maximise their potential and integrate into the community, reducing their reliance on caregivers. Situated in a housing estate, TUH allows trainees to can experience communal living in a natural environment, providing an excellent training ground for them to improve their independent living skills as they apply them in a real-life setting. TUH also actively engages community partners in the vicinity, including coffee shop stallholders, supermarket and store holders, general practitioners and more, to create greater awareness on how to communicate with its trainees and build an ecosystem of support. Ms Ang Chiew Geok, Group Head of TOUCH Special Needs Group shares, “With increased positive exposure or interaction with the trainees, some people have also changed their attitudes, making the effort to care and support them, building inclusiveness in the community. We are truly encouraged to see the community embracing PwDs and taking the effort to learn to communicate with our trainees.” Read more at: https://lnkd.in/enmgTKY4 Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction

Here’s what happened at JOURNEY's latest Stenciling Workshop with TOUCH staff! From befriending the JOURNEY Special Artists to learning stenciling techniques from them, our staff had a wonderful time unleashing their creativity through art. Watch on to check out their finished stencil artworks! Want to learn from our talented Special Artists too? Drop an email to enquiry@journeyspecial.com for more information!

Behind the scenes of NDP magic! ✨ Follow Xioa Hui Neo, Social Worker from TOUCH Family Support, as she volunteers as a Motivator Mentor at the National Day Parade for the first time.   As a Motivator Mentor, Xioa Hui guides a group of youths from ITE College Central during their dance practices and encourages them to press on to deliver their best at the NDP. Find out how she empowers and inspires lives through NDP!

This National Day, we ask four JOURNEY Special Artists what they love most about Singapore. 💓 From dancing to their favourite National Day songs to enjoying the fireworks with their loved ones while watching the National Day Parade, watch on to find out what makes Singapore home. 🏠

How Singaporean are YOU? 🤓 Test your knowledge with our TOUCH Motivators and share your score in the comments below! 

Meet Daryl Badera from TOUCH’s Day Rehabilitation Centre (DRC)! As a former professional dancer, Daryl also taught dance classes at a fitness centre before joining DRC. Find out how Daryl helps seniors to stay fit and active through his passion for dance, and how he integrates rehabilitation to help them regain their strength and independence.

Ever wondered about the services offered at TOUCHpoint@AMK 433?     Come follow Xiu Ping, our Senior Occupational Therapist, as she brings us on a tour of the services and activities available to seniors. Our day rehabilitation services, Gym Tonic, Musculoskeletal sessions, as well as caregivers training build seniors’ independence and help delay frailty.

Results from this year’s Online Safety Poll on Social Media Services, conducted by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) has shown that more people encountered harmful online content such as cyberbullying and violence in 2024 compared to 2023. Despite this, six in 10 respondents took no action against it. Ms Anita Low-Lim, Chief Transformation Officer at TOUCH shares that desensitisation to harmful content like sexually explicit materials can “lower inhibitions and encourage the creation and sharing of increasingly harmful materials”. In addition, Anita also suggested that social media companies can consider engaging with local media authorities to understand cultural norms and acceptable content when setting community standards. At TOUCH, we hope to empower parents on their digital journey, enable them to be more aware of their child’s online activities, and engage in open and effective conversations with their children on their online behaviour. TOUCH Cyber Wellness conducts parenting workshops and has produced parent-child resources under its First Device Campaign, which is based on the defining milestone in a child’s life when they receive their first device and embark on their digital journey. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/gRTezDby

TOUCH is proud to be a recipient of the People's Association Community Spirit (PACS) 2024 Merit Award! This award recognises TOUCH Young Arrows for its efforts in nurturing children from lower-income families in the Braddell Heights Division through weekly programmes consisting of academic coaching and values-driven activities.   At TOUCH, we believe that every child has the potential to be nurtured to make a positive impact in society and become future leaders in the community. With a committed team of staff and volunteer mentors, we aim to meet children’s social, emotional and educational needs to bring out the best of their potential.

Last weekend, over 70 of our special needs clients had a wonderful time exploring River Wonders with their loved ones at TOUCH Special Needs Group’s Family Day.   The day was filled with exciting new discoveries, and our clients got the opportunity to explore creatures from the land and sea. From playful otters to adorable giant pandas, there was something to spark curiosity and learning in everyone.   At TOUCH, we are committed to creating lasting bonds for individuals with special needs and their families. Through events like Family Day, we hope to provide a platform for families to spend quality time together and build a stronger and more inclusive community!