Striving towards a common cause

Social Service Scholars Florence Phoon and Ngawang Chime view every challenge as a stepping stone, transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth. Their daily inspiration comes from their colleagues and the broader social service community, fueling their commitment to making a meaningful impact.

Florence is a Speech and Language Therapist with Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore. She works in the Early Intervention setting, where she assesses clients, plans and implements therapy interventions.

Ngawang Chime is a Social Worker at the Samaritans of Singapore, where he supports individuals struggling with suicidality and those grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide through crisis and grief counselling.

Both Chime and Florence are recipients of the Social Service Scholarship, a prestigious award designed for outstanding individuals with a deep passion for social service and strong leadership qualities. Administered by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), the scholarship empowers recipients to drive positive change in the community.

We chatted with them to learn more about their passion and commitment to empowering the lives of others in their respective fields.

What drew you to this line of work? 

Florence: During my schooling years, I volunteered with various beneficiaries. Though they comprised of people from different demographics, there was one thing in common: the joy they experienced simply by engaging in conversations with us volunteers.

My understanding of the value of communication deepened through my volunteering, especially at a dementia daycare centre. Although I often struggled to comprehend what the elderly were saying, I witnessed their joy in expressing themselves and interacting with others—whether through words, gestures, or facial expressions. What initially felt challenging and intimidating became a rewarding experience that inspired me to pursue a career in speech and language therapy.

Chime: My father has been my biggest motivation. Growing up as a refugee in rural India, his diligence, creativity, and conscientiousness shone through every job, every day, until a heart condition, unfortunately, forced him into retirement.

This taught me how much a person’s journey is shaped by their access to opportunities for learning, healing and growth, and I wanted to provide those opportunities to others in similar situations. Being part of a growing profession that offers both purpose and challenge, I am privileged to witness firsthand stories of resilience and inspiration.

How has the scholarship supported your personal and professional development?

Florence: When I was entering university, the bachelor’s degree for Speech and Language Pathology/Therapy was not offered locally. The scholarship enabled me to pursue my degree at a recognised overseas university, which was instrumental in developing my theoretical knowledge, clinical and research skills as an entry-level speech and language therapist.

At the start of my scholarship journey, NCSS provided the opportunity for scholars to connect, especially those studying abroad. Now, following my emplacement, I cherish the opportunities to connect with other Social Service Scholars and learn from their unique experiences.

Prior to my graduation, NCSS also facilitated the dissemination of my resume to Social Service Agencies (SSAs) that I was interested in, including my current workplace. This support enabled me to work with the demographic of clients I am passionate about while gaining opportunities to advance my learning and career goals!

Chime: One of the aspects of the scholarship I am most grateful for is the flexibility it offered me as I explored various educational opportunities as an undergraduate. Whether it was sponsoring an enrichment course on Impact, Strategy, and Evaluation at INSEAD, supporting my internship in Indonesia, or supporting my student exchange programme in the United Kingdom, the scholarship gave me the autonomy and trust to pursue diverse experiences. Each opportunity has shaped the perspectives I bring to my practice as a social worker today.

What does a day in your life at work look like? 

Florence: I assess and provide intervention for students up to six years of age who face difficulties in speech, language, literacy, social communication and feeding. This includes students who have complex communication needs or poor speech intelligibility, requiring the use of an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system.

I work with students either in one-on-one therapy sessions, or group therapy sessions with a class of about four to five students. During these sessions, I conduct both formal or informal assessments to gauge their current level of abilities and provide intervention to meet their functional goals as outlined in their Individual Education Plans.

Chime: My role primarily involves providing crisis counselling for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviours, bereavement counselling for those grieving the traumatic loss of a loved one to suicide and facilitating in-person or online support groups for suicide attempters and survivors of suicide.

How do you stay inspired and motivated?

Florence: As speech and language therapists, we are constantly challenged in our work with clients of diverse abilities and needs—this can be daunting yet exciting. It drives me to continue expanding and honing my skills to provide the best evidence-based practices for my clients and their families.

Chime: Knowing that I am part of a collective that strives to improve lives and reduce the stigma around mental health keeps me motivated, even during challenging times.

The incredible strength shown by the people I work with, even in their most vulnerable moments, is also a big source of inspiration. As a client once shared, “Grief comes in waves, and even with the passing of time, you can’t always stop them. Learning to float with each wave is what allows healing to begin.” Similarly, I strive to maintain a curious mind and stay afloat, even in the face of inevitable setbacks.

Any advice for our readers with similar aspirations? 

 Florence: Determining if a career in social service interests you takes exploration—not just within the sector, but in other settings too. Engage in job shadowing, internships, or volunteering to gain firsthand experience. If hands-on opportunities are limited, speak to professionals in the field.

Understanding both the virtues and challenges of working in social service, as well as other settings, will guide you in ascertaining what aligns best with your strengths, values, personality and working style.

Chime: Go for it! My education in social work and the early years of my career have given me so much. One of the biggest takeaways has been to develop a different worldview—one that is analytical yet still compassionate. The skills and insights I’ve gained—such as empathy, problem-solving, and an understanding of social systems— are invaluable and transferable across many fields. If these align with your values and motivations, social work not only shapes your career; it also influences how you approach life’s complexities.