A new social service hub which caters to senior citizens was officially opened on Sunday morning in Bukit Batok East.

Set up by Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities and Bukit Batok East Citizens Consultative Committee, the centre at the void deck of Block 235 will provide courses and programmes for the elderly. There are also facilities such as a jamming studio where the seniors can learn to play music. They can borrow books provided by the National Library Board at the hub as well. It is opened from 8am to 6pm on the weekdays.

Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob, who is an MP for Jurong GRC, said at the official opening of the centre that about 30 per cent of residents in Bukit Batok East are above 50 years old and she encouraged them to make full use of the hub.

She said: "This prevents isolation. Isolation is a growing problem among the elderly, especially when their children go to work and they are alone at home."

This is the second social service hub targeted at the elderly run by Thye Hua Kwan. The first one was opened two years ago in Chong Pang.