Advisory COVID-19 I National Council of Social Service

The Beyond COVID-19 Taskforce was set up to support the sector in responding to COVID-19, and to propose directions and plans for a stronger social service sector in the longer term. Download the guide here.
Watch and be encouraged by these SSAs who overcame the various challenges brought about by COVID-19. Beyond COVID-19 Video series here.
If you would like to contribute resources, innovative ideas and useful tips to help other SSAs deal with COVID-19, please share them here. Please note that each contribution will be assessed by a case-by-case basis. Featured contributions are meant to make it easier for SSAs to find the necessary resources.

The pandemic has highlighted the pressing need for SSAs and the sector to adapt through technology. Watch here. SSAs interviewed:

WE CARE Community Services adopted a telemedicine solution, Doxy.me, to complement their corporate Zoom solution to provide online counselling therapy for service users.
Metta Welfare Association leveraged Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) to integrate various corporate functions such as CRM, financial operations etc., in a consolidated platform.
Fei Yue Community Services adapted digitally through upskilling staff and seniors in video conferencing technology, as well as setting up an I.T. hotline support to facilitate online courses.

Beyond COVID-19 Re-opening Guide for SSAs: Fundraising & Funding/Financial Support
oscar@fund supports ground-up initiatives responding to significant and/or urgent community needs in Singapore arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for details on funding support.
Lew Foundation Seed Grant Programme supports Institution of Public Characters (IPCs) in their efforts and initiatives to drive positive social impact and support the community. Click here for details on funding support.

Social service agencies were deeply impacted by the pandemic. But for some like YMCA, REACH Community Services Society and En Community Services Society, they carried on in new ways to raise funds for the people they serve. Watch here.
SSAs interviewed:
- YMCA
- REACH Community Services Society
- En Community Services Society

The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) of Singapore organised the 'Wok the Talk' fundraising campaign to serve vulnerable groups through the provision of meals and essential care packs.
St Luke's Eldercare organised the #FoodWithLove Campaign where it partnered 20 F&B partners to raise funds and supported businesses at the same time.
Care Corner is working with local artiste Tosh Zhang to raise funds through its #HereWithYouSG online campaign to support low-income households.

17 May 2021

14 May 2021

24 Apr 2020

Inter-agency Advisory on Supporting Mental Well-being of Workers under COVID-19 Work Arrangements

Three organisations share with us on how they rise above the trying times of COVID-19. Check out insights from AMP Singapore on caring for staff well-being, while RSVP Singapore tapped on technology so seniors, staff and volunteers could adapt and connect meaningfully. As part of their Computers Against COVID initiative, Engineering Good synergised with our SSAs and volunteers using an interesting logistic system to collect, refurbish and distribute used laptops to families in need. Watch here. SSAs interviewed:
- AMP Singapore
- RSVP
- Engineering Good Ltd

New Life Community Services introduced the hour bank initiative to allow staff to store unused working hours in a time bank and transfer them for future use should their workload increase. This is to prevent staff from taking forced leave.

Persatuan Pemudi Islam Singapura (PPIS) created the Days of our Lives – Season Work (Work from Home) online site for staff to stay engaged with each other. Staff could post about their week and posts with the most “likes” would win prizes sponsored by their senior management.

Care Corner organised weekly learning sessions for staff, Friday Coffee Talk sessions where staff gathered virtually to share non-work related updates to encourage one another. It also conducted online staff polls to gather staff concerns to ensure their well-being.

Filos Community Services added health and activity info sheets into the food delivery packs for seniors during the Circuit Breaker period. Filos’ staff and volunteers subsequently followed up with the seniors via phone calls and guided them through the activities.

Care Corner organised a volunteer recruitment drive, CARE Acts Initiative to support more than 2000 seniors to cope with COVID-19.

SHINE Children & Youth Services launched a series of six interactive digital story sessions called ‘Reading Odyssey: Stories at Home’, where children viewed videos of stories being read aloud, and are guided by volunteers in follow up discussions and activities.

01 Feb 2021

Engaging Adults & Families

Engaging Caregivers

Caregivers Alliance's Support for Caregivers

Engaging Persons with Mental Health Issues

Every crisis presents an opportunity. Here’s a look at how our SSAs, like Care Corner, Blossom Seeds and St Luke’s Eldercare, have adapted to engage service users in creative ways during COVID-19. Watch here.
SSAs interviewed:
- Care Corner Singapore
- Blossom Seeds
- St Luke's Eldercare
MINDS developed person-centric home based learning kits and activities for service users’ continued training and development, supported by caregivers during the Circuit Breaker period. It also organised virtual Yoga and Zumba sessions and online quizzes to engage service users. With the support of allied health professionals, MINDS’ staff regularly checked in on caregivers and conducted when necessary, survey-based assessment to ascertain their stress and isolation levels.

Care Corner engaged youths through various social media platforms such as through Telegram Bots and conducted one to one online video sessions for children with learning difficulties. It also embarked on systematic phone engagements with checklist questions, to connect with seniors.

To engage with seniors, Blossom Seeds and St Luke’s ElderCare connected with them through LIVE videos. Watch Blossom Seeds' videos and St Luke’s Stay Home with #SLEC on YouTube.