On the ground reflections: Youth, community, and the work behind the work

Kimberly: The work behind the work

I am truly grateful for my time with SHINE's Schools and Communities Group. Coming in without a social work background, I expected mainly to support and observe, but from the very first meetings, debriefs, and drafting sessions, my opinions were genuinely sought and my voice was heard. There was no pressure, only encouragement and a real openness to every perspective at the table. Feeling that sense of ownership and belonging extended so freely to someone here to learn for such a short time, is a culture I hope to carry forward in my career.

The most valuable moments of my attachment were the conversations about the work that the social workers do, hearing their reflections and considerations during huddles and training sessions. I had the privilege of sitting in on group work sessions and watching them deliver the intention behind a programme while adapting, in real time, to what was needed in the moment.

What stayed with me was the quieter work: quick check-ins with teachers, greetings to the security guard, the students who lit up seeing familiar staff walking by. I learnt that relationship-building isn't a step in the process, but is the process itself. Seeing this so close to the ground, alongside the honest reflections social workers were willing to share, gave me a respect for their craft that no framework could have taught.

It also made me realise that informal work and functional roles need to be recognised, from casual corridor conversations to the full scope of backbone, or indirect work requiring broad skillsets that too often rests on just one or two people. Behind every client is an ecosystem that holds together through intentional partnership. Getting it right means bringing schools, SSAs, policy owners, professional associations, and the workers themselves into genuine, sustained conversation.

True collective impact needs a dedicated support, sustained funding, and someone to carry the work that fits no neat scope. Serving people well is a shared undertaking, and strengthening the connection between everyone involved is some of the most important work there is.

Tazkeen: The space between intention and impact

I was attached to grovve, Singapore’s first integrated wellness centre, for youths by youths, which is managed by SHINE. It was an eye-opening experience that serves as a reminder: young people must be at the heart of spaces built for them.

grovve runs a cool "YAP session" (yes, that's its real name!), short for Youth Action Panel, where nominated youths share their thoughts and ideas. Sitting in on one taught me how much it matters to give young people a real seat at the table.

Every last Friday of the month, grovve hosts its signature programme, Pause and Play, a space for reflection and connection. Seeing the space come alive, with youths interacting and engaging with one another, was such a fun experience and a reminder of what good programming can make possible

Being part of grovve meant I had the opportunity to interact with various stakeholders, such as  at the Action Groups, where all parties brainstormed how to make the space more youth-friendly and service-integrated. I was struck by how everyone naturally built on each other's ideas to shape a better experience for youths than any one party could have arrived at alone.

During my attachment at grovve, I learnt that designing spaces starts with understanding your audience: knowing their needs, listening to your partners, and adapting when things don't go as planned. Good spaces don't just happen, they are shaped, iteratively and intentionally, by people who are willing to keep listening.

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