Early next year, Bedok residents will have a new Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) centre in their neighbourhood.

The Bedok centre will be Singapore's 13th CDAC location and will house community outreach programmes, which are now held in void decks, as well as tuition and enrichment classes, and activities for senior residents.

The new centre was announced yesterday by Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, who is also chairman of the CDAC board of directors.

"Senior programmes will become a very important part of our outreach," he said. "We hope that our senior programmes can keep seniors active, as well as provide opportunities for our senior residents to also volunteer themselves."

Mr Gan was at CDAC@Bukit Panjang yesterday where Jubilee packs - containing a $100 grocery voucher and an umbrella - were given out to low-income households.

Some 4,000 low-income families identified by community development councils were invited to collect their packs from five CDAC centres yesterday. About 6,000 were also given out earlier this month to CDAC beneficiaries. Beneficiaries also took part in activities such as reading and IT classes.

Mr Tan Cheng Yan, who lives in Yishun, collected his pack from CDAC@Bukit Panjang yesterday.

The 60-year-old divorcee lives alone and does not work due to a heart condition. He survives on monthly payouts from his Central Provident Fund account and financial aid for his heart medication.

"The doctor said that I shouldn't work, so I retired in 1998," he said. "Even travelling here is tiring. But this $100 voucher will be useful. I can buy rice and other household goods with it."