A social service office (SSO) was officially opened in Jalan Besar on Friday. It is one of 20 such offices to be progressively rolled out by the Ministry of Social and Family Development in the next two to three years. Since July, six others started operations.

The SSOs bring help closer to residents and work with voluntary welfare organisations and community partners in their areas to provide more coordinated social services.

Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim, who is also an MP in the Moulmein-Kallang GRC, said at the opening on Friday that the SSOs can provide a more holistic solution to the needs of residents as there is greater coordination with other agencies.

There is one SSO at Kreta Ayer, and five others which are co-located with the Community Development Councils (CDCs). Another three - in Boon Lay, Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Merah - will open by the end of the year.