People’s Association pledges $250,000 to President’s Challenge
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President Halimah Yacob received a cheque from People's Association at Hong Kah North Community Club on July 2.
PHOTO: HALIMAH YACOB/FACEBOOK
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SINGAPORE - The People’s Association (PA) has pledged $250,000 in support of the President’s Challenge, which is targeting support for caregivers in 2023.
On Sunday, President Halimah Yacob received a cheque from PA at Hong Kah North Community Club, during an event organised for 50 caregivers.
In a statement, PA said it has worked with community partners to better support caregivers of persons with mental health conditions, and strengthen caregiver support in local communities.
Among other things, the PA’s Women’s Integration Network (WIN) worked with the National Council of Social Service and Caregivers Alliance Limited to launch the WIN Caregivers Network in 2022 in six pilot sites, including in Hong Kah North.
“This network facilitates community-based peer support for caregivers and aims to provide social and emotional support, as well as bridge the gap between caregivers and resources in the community,” said PA.
Since 2022, over 150 caregivers have attended training programmes organised by Caregivers Alliance Limited. PA said more than 80 caregivers have joined the support groups.
At the event, Madam Halimah and Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor, who is also MP for Hong Kah North, interacted with the 50 caregivers, who took part in activities organised by PA staff.
PA said caregivers in Hong Kah North who joined the network have become trainers who help to run and administer the programme.
They include Ms Vidya Nair, 42, who is taking care of her mother. The 67-year-old suffers from depression.
Ms Nair told The Straits Times that when she was asked to join the network in 2022, she agreed right away.
“I needed more support. As the sole caregiver to my mum, who has very little support, I wanted to be back in a room with caregivers who understood and with facilitators who could help,” she said, adding that the support she received while going through a tough period in 2022 helped her. “Only fellow caregivers going through similar journeys would get each other.”
Despite her busy schedule and caregiving duties, Ms Nair also joined Caregivers Alliance Limited and now coordinates the caregiver programme.
President’s Challenge 2022 raised a record $16.9 million
The amount has gone towards supporting 82 social service agencies, including Fei Yue Community Services and Pertapis Halfway House.
