Press Release: NRCS partners the community to step up befriending initiative

Activating community volunteerism to alleviate mental health issues among the seniors in Joo Seng.

Singapore, 15 March 2021 - To alleviate social isolation and loneliness among seniors in the Joo Seng community, Neighbour Ring Community Services (NRCS) have joined with members of the public step-up befriending efforts. The initiative aims to potentially benefit over 1500 seniors in the Joo Seng community through house visits and engagement over simple do-it-yourself projects that the seniors can participate at home.

Social isolation has become a prominent issue especially with the safe distancing guideline imposed to counter the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Since February 2020, NRCS has conducted twice weekly check-in calls following the cessation of activities at senior activities centres. NRCS have observed that distress calls and suicide alerts among the seniors have gone up at least 1-fold during the ‘circuit breaker’ period. NRCS on-going befriending efforts experienced a shortage of volunteers in the face of increased need for senior’s engagement.

Said Mr Lock Chee Peng, President NRCS, “The need for engagement have been getting more intense since the beginning of COVID-19. Nevertheless, we are determined to continue to attend to the needs of our seniors by first tapping on our community for assistance.”

NRCS appealed for help with the Joo Seng Residence Committee to reach out to Joo Seng residence to volunteer their time to augment the existing volunteers. The response has been promising and this partnership paves the way forward for the Joo Seng community to step up volunteerism. This initiative will improve senior mental health issues as well as increase community involvement.

The need for engagement have been getting more intense since the beginning of COVID-19. Nevertheless, we are determined to continue to attend to the needs of our seniors by first tapping on our community for assistance.

About Neighbour Ring Community Services (NRCS)

Established in 2003, Neighbour Ring Community Services NRCS, sets out to promote active community living and healthy lifestyle among the seniors in the Joo Seng community. Situated at Blk 8 Joo Seng Road, its elderly wellness centre have been providing outreach services to the seniors in Joo Seng and those in its vicinity.

The Centre provides a variety of active ageing programs like arts and craft, dancing, board games and outings to name a few. Health and fitness programs are also organized regularly to encourage healthy living and promote awareness of common chronic diseases. NRCS also provides outreach and befriending services with the aims to reach out to the socially isolated seniors, helping them find relief from their loneliness and social isolation.

For more information, please visit www.nrcs.com.