Support for caregivers: A key service priority area for NCSS
Caregiver support is one of the key service priorities of NCSS. Aligned with this service priority, Minister of State (MOS) Ms Low Yen Ling shared 3 caregiver
support initiatives led by NCSS and our partners during the Motion on Singapore Women’s Development. Through these initiatives, we hope to create an ecosystem of holistic support for caregivers and strengthen their access to available resources
within the community. View MOS Ms Low’s speech
during the Motion.
Launch of caregiver support networks across 6 pilot sites
One of the initiatives is the pilot of WIN Caregivers Network - a community-based peer support network where NCSS has been partnering People’s Association
and Caregivers Alliance Limited, to create an ecosystem of holistic support for caregivers and strengthen their access to available resources within the community.
The pilot was officially launched by Senior Minister of State (SMS)
for Sustainability and the Environment and Transport, Dr Amy Khor, who is the Adviser to PA WIN Council, Dr Amy Khor on 10 April 2022 and will focus on caregivers of persons with mental health conditions for a start before expanding to more caregiver
groups and other regions in Singapore. The 6 pilot sites are: Henderson Dawson, Bukit Gombak, Hong Kah North, Tampines Central, Nee Soon East and Fengshan.
Through WIN Caregivers Network, we aim to:
How can I help or refer caregivers?
Reach out to the following contacts if you know of any caregivers or volunteers who are keen to join us in this network.
If you know of any caregivers caring for persons with mental health conditions, you can direct them to Caregivers Alliance Limited or email at e2e@cal.org.sg
Interested volunteers in supporting our caregivers (can be from any region) can contact Andy_Teo@pa.gov.sg.
The Caregiver Community Lab
The Caregiver Community Lab is an initiative by NCSS in partnership with Montfort Care. It aims to improve the caregiving experience and enhance caregiver support in local communities.
Launched in 2019, the Lab adopts a locale-based approach and targets different groups of caregivers in Radin Mas. Observing that caregivers often sought help only when they could no longer cope and that services were under-utilised, the Lab journeys with caregivers while they carry out their caregiving duties to uncover the barriers faced in accessing services. With the insights gathered, caregivers and community partners are proactively engaged in co-creation sessions to develop, pilot and refine solutions. The Lab also recruits volunteers to provide informal support and signposting to caregivers as Community Ambassadors.
The Lab has expanded to another locality, Tanjong Pagar, in 2021. NCSS and Montfort Care will continue to explore the synergy between the two communities to improve navigation of services for caregivers.
Through the Caregiver Community Lab, we aim to:
How can I help or refer caregivers?
If you know of any caregivers residing in Radin Mas or Tanjong Pagar, you can direct them to Montfort Care’ webpage or call the Caregiver Hotline at 8343 3224.
If you are interested to support caregivers in Radin Mas and Tanjong Pagar as a Community Ambassador, you can also call in to the Caregiver Hotline at 8343 3224 to enquire.
Alliance for Action for Caregivers of Persons with Disabilities
NCSS and SG Enable formed an Alliance for Action (AfA) in 2021 to address the needs of caregivers of persons with disabilities. The Alliance seeks to co-create solutions addressing service gaps and challenges that caregivers of persons with disabilities experience. At present, the Alliance partnered CaringSG to work on Project 3i, connecting, enabling and empowering caregivers to find timely and appropriate support. The project also aims to build inclusive communities by enhancing caregivers and their families’ participation and access to support within the community. “3i” is characterised by the following key characteristics: (i) Integrative – taking a holistic perspective on the biological, psychological, and social needs of individuals and families, (ii) Individualized – customizing service delivery for each unique person, family and community, and (iii) Intentional – being outcomes-focused and strategically engaging relevant partners.
This is done through the three tiers of the programme:
If you are interested to be connected with Project 3i, you can contact CaringSG.
Caregiving support
Caregiving can be challenging, but it is also greatly fulfilling. There are community support and resources to help caregivers and care recipients on their caregiving journey.
Enabling Masterplan 2017–2021: Caring Nation, Inclusive Society
The Enabling Masterplan is a five-year roadmap that guides the building of a more inclusive society. The 3rd Enabling Masterplan will guide initiatives for the period 2017-2021, building on the progress of the 2nd Enabling Masterplan (2012- 2016) in fostering a caring and inclusive society for persons with disabilities. Find
out more about the recommendations by the Steering Committee for the 3rd Enabling Masterplan announced on 20 Dec 2016.
Caregiving
To think about how we might design a better future for caregiving, NCSS set out on a user-centric design ethnography process to unearth the needs, wants and challenges faced by caregivers. The culmination of the process is a publication consisting of thought-provoking concepts that are ripe for further development and a prototype toolkit to help spark conversation and aid in caring for caregivers.
Find out how we, as a community, can contribute to support our caregivers of today and tomorrow.
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