Shaping Our Sector’s Next Chapter, Together

People and partnerships are at the heart of a stronger Singapore social service sector.

Over the past two months, since assuming the role of Chairman, I have had the privilege of listening to colleagues across our social service sector. I have been deeply and greatly moved by the compassion, resilience, sacrifice and unstinting devotion that social service professionals bring to their work. This despite the service needs growing more complex and at times, the challenges growing more difficult. These conversations have strengthened my firm conviction that our sector’s greatest strength lies in our people and in our shared determination and focus to make a difference to those we serve.

As the new NCSS Council begins its term, we do so at a pivotal moment for social services. Our FY2025 Annual Report (opens in new tab) evidences the progress we have made together: from strengthening outcome measurement and capacity building to developing the funding, data and platforms that help social service agencies create greater impact. This progress belongs to all of us. It is built on the trust, generosity and shared purpose of a sector working together to improve the lives of the people and families we serve.

Our social service professionals are at the heart of this progress. At the recent Social Service Professional Awards, I was inspired by many individuals and teams who empower the people they serve, nurture leadership and nascent talent, transform and innovate services and reach across organisational boundaries to achieve better outcomes. Their dedication serves as a powerful reminder that behind excellent outcomes, innovations and partnerships are people who choose, every day, to serve others with care, compassion, courage, character and conviction. As I have shared before, each of you are serving in a high calling.

As we look ahead, this same spirit of service and solidarity must guide our next chapter. The new NCSS Council brings together diverse expertise, perspectives, lived experiences, and deep connections with the sector. We have started seeing the richness of collective counsel in our meetings and engagements so far. As NCSS steps more fully into its strengthened role as Sector Developer, we want to build and shape the future for the sector with you. We will listen closely, connect people and ideas together, and work alongside agencies, professionals, partners and communities to shape what comes next.

The challenges cannot be understated or underrated. Rising costs, an ageing population, evolving workforce needs and rapid advances in AI and technology are reshaping our operating environment. They are also opportunities (in disguise) to rethink how we work: facilitate people getting help they need and fast, support agencies as they adapt and transform, and harness technology in ways that strengthen, rather than diminish, the warmth of the human touch. Most importantly, they call for re-imagining lasting and trusting partnerships that bring together our collective strengths and sustain impact for the long term.

In the months ahead, one of our priorities will be to shape together our transformation roadmap for the next phase by the sector, with the sector and for the sector. I invite you to share your perspectives, challenge our assumptions and contribute your ideas. By listening to one another and creating solutions together, we can build a social service sector that is more connected, sustainable and fit for purpose for the future.

The metaphorical bright blue skies ahead can be “haze”-free as we look onward and outward to shape and build together!

Warmest regards,
Gregory Vijayendran
Chairman
National Council of Social Service