Helen Lim, 63

Volunteering in MDOP and Mentoring Programme

How did you get into volunteering and why?

I got into volunteering after I attended the Active Ageing Carnival at Suntec City last year. While at the exhibition, I visited the RSVP Singapore booth and got to know more about the organisation. I later joined them and my first volunteering experience was with the Changi Senior Ambassador Programme. I have a lot of spare time since I retired and wanted to do something with my time rather than doing nothing at all.

Could you share where you volunteer currently and what your responsibilities are?

I currently volunteer with the Mentally Disadvantaged Outreached Programme at the day centre at Bukit Batok. Here I teach the patients exercises and patchwork. At the  two schools in the Mentoring Programme (Punggol and Unity) I teach the students origami (making paper rabbit and paper ball).

How often do you volunteer each week and how many hours?

I volunteer a total of 12 hours per week, twice a week in each programme.

What satisfaction have you gained from the experience? Can you share a touching volunteer experience?

The satisfaction I get is when I see the mental patients improve in their social skills and when they are more forthcoming in joining in the activities like drawing and colouring and for some, acknowledging my presence whenever I am there. 

In the Mentoring Programme, I get most satisfaction from students who make you feel wanted and show that they care for you in their own way.

What would you say to other seniors about volunteering?

When you have the spare time, do not stay at home and do nothing. Come and do some voluntary work. It is rewarding.