“We recognise that many elderly and retirees remain capable to serve as useful members of society. We only need to restore the seniors’ confidence by bringing them together and showing them ways in which they can volunteer and serve other members of society.”
The doors of Charis Activity Centre for Elders (Charis ACE) were officially opened on 29 Nov 2014 by Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC (MacPherson Division), Ms Tin Pei Ling, and Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore, the Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup.
Located at Geylang East Block 125, Charis ACE is a joint community outreach of Methodist Welfare Services and Charis Methodist Church. It serves as a one-stop social, recreational, wellness and referral hub to lower-middle and middle-income seniors living in the neighbourhood. The centre fills a gap in catering to this group of seniors.
Apart from providing a place for the elderly to converge, and engage in activities that promote social, emotional and physical wellness, Charis ACE also provides opportunities for elderly to volunteer and give back to the community.
A special feature of the centre is “Empowering Elders to Help Elders”, which aims to reaffirm seniors as contributing members of society. Charis ACE will encourage members to make home visits and befriend other elderly people who are alone at home, who have been recently discharged from hospitals, or have to visit polyclinics regularly.
The members will be trained to make home visits in twos or in threes as volunteer health befrienders. Initially, they will be supervised by a health care worker. Subsequently, they will visit elderly residents on their own with occasional support from a health worker.
Having started operations since March 2014, Charis ACE has served more than 130 seniors to date. The seniors come in for workshops to pick up new skills and hobbies, morning exercises that keep them active, as well as go on volunteering trips to help others in need together.
Professor Lionel Lee, Chairman of Charis ACE Centre Governance Committee, said: “We recognise that many elderly and retirees remain capable to serve as useful members of society. We only need to restore the seniors’ confidence by bringing them together and showing them ways in which they can volunteer and serve other members of society.”
Said Ms Tin Pei Ling: “It’s essential for elderly to stay active and connected with the community to enjoy a better quality of life. Charis ACE also plays an important role in providing healthy activities and services for elderly from the lower-middle and middle-income groups.”
To DONATE please contact us at fr@mws.org.sg
To VOLUNTEER at Charis ACE, please contact us at MelissaGoh@ charis.mws.org.sg
Unveiling the plaque during the official opening of Charis ACE are: (L-R) The Rev Dr Daniel Koh, Vice-Chairman of Methodist Welfare Services (MWS); Mrs Jenny Bong, Group Executive Director of MWS; the Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup, Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore; Ms Tin Pei Ling, Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC (MacPherson Division); Professor Lionel Lee, Chairman of Charis ACE Centre Governance Committee, and Mr Teo Khoon Seng, Centre Manager of Charis ACE.
Photo courtesy of Methodist Welfare Services
Wee Kit Lei is Assistant Manager (Communications & Fundraising) at Methodist Welfare Services.