FOR over eight months, counsellor Sheena Jebal and her team searched the Internet, called numerous organisations, and got bounced around from person to person, trying to get contact information of social service providers.

Finally, they managed to put together a social service directory with contact details of agencies including legal clinics, shelters and community development councils.

Ms Sheena admitted that even though she had been a counsellor for 14 years, she did not know of all the services available in Singapore, so the book is meant to plug knowledge gaps and increase someone's chances of finding the right help.

'For example, after 14 years, I knew of only three temporary shelters. But there are actually eight around,' said the founder of Nulife Care and Counselling, which provides youth with tuition services integrated with counselling.

The 154-page directory, which was launched on Sunday at Tampines West Community Club, aims to provide grassroots leaders, teachers, members of the public and social workers with a one-stop reference for numbers and addresses of agencies.

But while helpful for those in need or from the lower income bracket, the directory - produced by Nulife Care & Counselling - still costs $11.90.

Ms Sheena said this was the cheapest she could get the directory down to, even with corporate sponsors on board.

When asked if cost and the language barrier might prevent those seeking help from using the book, she said it was not necessarily for those with low income or the poorly educated.

Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.