AWE VOLUNTEER GET-TOGETHER & NETWORKING
With the further easing of mask restrictions, the Age Well Everyday Programme will be getting ready to restart its community activities. As a volunteer-driven programme, our passionate volunteers are the key to ensuring that our programme continues to impact more people.
In August, the team took the first step to re-engage our volunteers who have been intently waiting for the programme to get back on its usual run.
AWE Volunteer Get-Together Sessions were held on 24 August, 25 August and 2 September respectively at the Mind Art Experiential Lab (MAELab) to accommodate as many volunteers as we can. We were glad to have a total of 72 volunteers from our community partners – NTUC Health. Bukit Timah Community Centre, Marymount Community Centre, RSVP, Eunos Community Centre, Queenstown Community Centre, Tampines Changkat Community Centre, Bishan Community Centre and Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery.
Note: Scroll to the end of the article for more information about the upcoming events.
Prof Kua took the stage at the start of the session to introduce the Therapeutic Rainforest Walk Training, which is scheduled to take place in October, with a mix of Zoom sessions and an onsite walk at Hort Park. Beyond that, the team collaborated with PhillipCapital to roll out the new AWE Financial Health Webinar Series. The webinars will be sharing insightful content about how one can take active steps to ensure one’s financial health, which is an essential part of active ageing too.
Apart from providing updates about the programme, the team brought the volunteers on an experiential journey through the ongoing curation ‘Teens & Kin’ at the exhibition space of MAELab.
The exhibition, which spans over about 1,650 square feet of floor space, offered a nuanced take on the mental health challenges affecting youth and their potential to find resilience as they grow into a young adult, ready to take on societal and individual responsibilities.
Click HERE for more information about the curation
Many volunteers voiced that they are intrigued by the holistic concept of youth mental health showcased by the themed sections. Particularly, the volunteers spent the most time on the artworks created by the students from the West Zone schools. The students participated in a 6-Week workshop with the commissioned artist – Mary Bernadette Lee, which guided them to express their emotions through various art mediums. Through one-on-one reflections during the sessions, the students were able to unravel their self-perception, interpersonal struggles and family relations. The stories behind the artworks stirred various emotions from the volunteers.
The exhibition, which spans over about 1,650 square feet of floor space, offered a nuanced take on the mental health challenges affecting youth and their potential to find resilience as they grow into a young adult, ready to take on societal and individual responsibilities.
With newly-gained insights about the state of youth mental health and how a supportive family unit can greatly help with the challenges of adolescence, the session ended with a quick sharing session between the volunteers, taking the opportunity to reconnect with one another.
AWE Financial Health Webinar Series
As seniors live through their golden years, active ageing is the key to maintaining a good quality of life. Engaging in active ageing requires a holistic approach, where multiple aspects like physical, mental, social and financial health come into play. Having financial security allows seniors to have the freedom to choose how they want to spend their retirement years. Join our webinar series to take the important step towards ensuring your financial health!
UPCOMING: The Importance of Will & Estate Planning
Happening on 22 October, Saturday, 10am to 11am
Engaging in active ageing requires a holistic approach and financial health is one of the key components MSC hopes to raise awareness of in our AWE Financial Health Series. This webinar will place the spotlight on the sensitive topic of Will & Estate Planning.
Writing a will is an important yet neglected part of financial planning. Some of us are unaware of the adverse consequences of not having a valid Will when we pass on, whereas the rest are simply procrastinating. Increasingly, people are more aware that it is crucial to make some arrangements in case we cannot make decisions on our own. Making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is absolutely important but still, there are some confusion and concerns about this.
Join our webinar to find out more!
Register HERE
6th Tow Tiang Seng Distinguished Lecture: The View in Autumn
Happening on 6 October, Thursday, 1pm to 2.30pm
Mental health research is both science and humanities. Mind Science Centre has explored the frontiers in basic science, epidemiology and clinical practice, in search of what constitutes mental resilience. In this seminar, we have invited two eminent colleagues – Prof Wang Gungwu and Mr Abdullah Tarmugi – to share their thoughts, perspective and values on the ecology of resilience. We can learn from their rich experiences as they traverse the long and winding road of their illustrious careers.
Register HERE
Living with Dementia Webinar Series: Memory and Medications
Happening on 17 Nov, Thursday, 2.30pm to 3.30pm
Elderly people have often been prescribed too many medications. Over-prescription or polypharmacy can lead to a confused state, falls, accidents and other disabilities. This webinar will discuss common complications and dangers of polypharmacy, including over-the-counter drugs. It is important to avoid such complications and dangers. We have a pharmacologist, Prof Tan Chay Hoon, and pharmacist, Dr Yap Kai Zhen, to discuss the issues.
Register HERE