This year, Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) celebrates 40 years of empowering life to the full. This is one of a series of stories from people who felt empowered to empower others through MWS over the years. Get involved and join MWS in empowering lives. Learn more by visiting https://mws.sg/mws40th.
“Hello, how are you? Can I get you a cup of coffee or tea?” asked Madam Loo Jo Lee as she pointed to the menu.
50-year-old Jo Lee is a resident at MWS Bethany Nursing Home – Choa Chua Kang. She is also the cashier-cum-front service staff of Café Joy, which is located within the Home.
Rising from challenges for self and service
“I serve as a cashier here once every two weeks. The staff trained me on how to greet customers, take orders and use the cash register,” shared Jo Lee as she cheekily waved a stash of ‘play money’ in different denominations. “I really enjoy serving at the café, meeting and chatting with people. It feels good to contribute. Sometimes, I’ve even found myself cheering up another resident!” Jo Lee said.
Jo Lee came to MWS Bethany Nursing Home – Choa Chu Kang about six years ago. She had suffered a stroke and just woken up from a three-month long coma.
“I was struggling with my health. My marriage was falling apart. My daughters were teenagers then. I shut myself in and did not want to speak with anyone,” she recalled. “Up till 2019, I refused to accept that this was going to be my life. But the MWS Bethany team really cared for me. Slowly, I turned to Christianity and, with the help of the clinical and pastoral team, I began to see life more positively and feel hopeful again,” Jo Lee said, her radiant face a picture of calm and peace.
Empowerment in all aspects of care
This sense of empowerment—through its physical care environment, programmes and care approach—is precisely what MWS hopes to bring to its beneficiaries.
Café Joy, one of the major additions of the recent Care Remodelling of MWS Bethany Nursing Home – Choa Chu Kang, is an example. Apart from providing a cosy communal space for residents and visitors, it is designed to be run by residents, empowering them with a sense of independence and purpose. This is in line with the care philosophy at MWS Nursing Homes, which is resident-directed. The Homes are also designed to provide a home-like and dementia-friendly environment so that residents’ care needs are addressed in an integrated and holistic manner.
“Serving as a cashier at the café has been meaningful and fulfilling. Who knows, I may be able to return to work in future! I thank God and the MWS Bethany staff for their love, care, concern and patience. It feels like my heart is blooming with hope again,” said Jo Lee.