Through our Innovation and Productivity projects, we help social service agencies create innovative solutions, tackle complex issues, and make a lasting social impact.
These Innovation projects form the backbone of the commitment to driving new ways of working. Initiatives like the Design Ethnography projects "The Path to… Better Life by Design: Designing for persons with disabilities in Singapore" and "Who Cares? Transforming the Caregiving Experience in Singapore," along with the Sector Design Challenge (SDC), propel a continuous shift in mindset and culture towards innovation and productivity.
For those intrigued by the idea of innovation but unsure where to start, the Social Innovation Starter Kit is tailor-made for exploration. Packed with innovation and design thinking tips, tools and frameworks contextualised for the social service sector. This kit also offers insights and learnings from the Sector Design Challenge 2019 participants.
Discover more about these impactful projects and unleash your creativity!
For inquiries, reach out to pumpkinlab@ncss.gov.sg.
Productivity projects are initiatives crafted to empower social service agencies, elevating their organisational capabilities and productivity through the infusion of technology and innovation.
Explore the details of these projects below!
Sector Design Challenge
The Sector Design Challenge (SDC) was a dynamic platform that emerged from the Social Service Summit 2019. Designed for participants from People, Private, and Public (3-P) organisations, the SDC sparks new partnerships, cultivates human-centred design skills, and crafts innovative solutions to address the needs of social service users. Thus far, there have been two Sector Design Challenges, in 2019 and 2021.
In 2019, over 100 participants engaged in a transformative 4-month journey, attending 4 workshops and 2 mentoring clinics. They collaborated to scope, understand user needs, and co-create solutions with tri-sector partners. In November 2019, 13 teams pitched their ideas, with three earning up to $30,000* in seed grants to pilot their solutions. The "People's Choice Award" recognized one team, as voted by the audience.
Drawing from the rich experiences of SDC 2019, NCSS has gathered insights to be shared across the social sector through Innovation Learning Journeys and the Social Innovation Starter Kit
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Highlights from SDC 2019 Workshop 3 |
Highlights from SDC 2019 Pitch Day |
Design4Impact
Design4Impact is a collaborative initiative led by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and the MOH Office for Healthcare Transformation (MOHT). This initiative is supported by the DesignSingapore Council (Dsg) and the Institute of Systems Science at the National University of Singapore (NUS-ISS). Design4Impact was proudly sponsored by Prudential Singapore.
The first Design4Impact event, targeting COVID-19 challenges, involved over 180 participants of various professions. 31 teams were formed, guided by facilitators well-versed in Design Thinking and healthcare professionals, brainstormed and co-created solutions that aligns with the needs of service users. Eight teams pitched their ideas to a panel of judges and the top three winning teams received seed grants to bring their solutions to life.
Moving forward, NCSS plans to organize regular design challenges for more social service sector participants.
Social Innovation Starter Kit
Embark on a journey of creativity and social impact with NCSS's Social Innovation Starter Kit. Designed to inspire the broader social service sector, this co-created kit features guiding principles and mindsets of the human-centred design process, along with a plethora of specific methods, tools, and case studies contextualised for the social service sector.
| Social Innovation Starter Kit Click here to download and kickstart your innovation journey! |
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The Path to... Better Life by Design: Designing for persons with disabilities in Singapore
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In January 2016, NCSS collaborated with the DesignSingapore Council to gain a deeper understanding of the needs and concerns of adults with
disabilities. Employing an ethnographic approach, we interviewed 25 individuals and shadowed their daily routines. This project provided invaluable insights into the lives of the participants, complementing the 2015 Quality of Life study and other initiatives rolled out by NCSS to better address the needs of adults with disabilities. Research data and life stories from this project have been incorporated into the 3rd Enabling Masterplan. In March 2017, we published our learnings, including 15 recommended solutions. View the full publication here. |
"Who Cares" Publication and "We Care" Toolkit
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"Who Cares? Transforming the Caregiving Experience in Singapore".This was NCSS' first project utilising the design ethnography process to understand the needs, values, hopes, and fears of caregivers. 10 caregivers, aged between 21 and 78, were interviewed and shadowed as they went about their daily lives. Explore our "Who Cares?" Publication for nine key insights shaping the future of caregiving. Uncover actionable design strategies through seven concept ideas and experience caregivers' emotions with embedded QR codes. If you're involved in caregiving support, download our "We Care" Toolkit. Tailored for healthcare workers, social service professionals, volunteers, and those who care for caregivers, it provides tools to spark conversations and aid in caring for caregivers. For more details, explore the publication and toolkit. |
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