Helping Hands:
Our latest on volunteer opportunities
What’s the mission of the Children’s Aid Society?
Through two of its services – Melrose Home (35 Boon Lay Avenue) and Melrose Care (Woodlands Drive 53, #01-63 Blk 557) – the Society aims to provide a holistic range of residential care, specialised therapy and psychological services to support and empower the most vulnerable in our community through challenges of family violence and child neglect. The idea is to help young persons in need so that they succeed and contribute to family and society.
What do you do there?
I’m a member of the Australian and New Zealand Association (ANZA) and I run one of its sub-groups, The Secret Men’s Business Group (SMB). Our SMB members, through ANZA’s charity arm, ANZA Action, have worked with Melrose Home in various hands-on volunteering and fundraising projects since 2017.
The SMB group primarily comprises trailing male spouses. Our main activity is golf, which we play twice a week, and we leverage this opportunity to fundraise amongst members; we then donate the funds to Melrose Home on an annual basis.
We also get together one Wednesday a month for lunch and a few drinks, as well as spontaneous gatherings for different reasons and events. Sometimes, we participate in hands-on home improvement projects for Melrose Home. In 2018, we helped demolish old outdoor structures and spruce up the Home’s garden terraces; in 2019, we assisted with fencing repairs to improve the environment and safety for young children. It’s been very meaningful to see the tangible improvements to the Home’s façade and facilities for the betterment of the children’s lives.
SMB has members from all over the globe, some of whom work full-time. Basically, if you’re male, you’re welcome to join us for volunteering activities, a round of golf or a few beers from time to time. Settling into a new country can be difficult if you don’t know too many people, so this is one way we can help.
Why did you choose Children’s Aid Society to donate your time to?
It’s a wonderful organisation with fantastic people doing great work for Singaporean children in need. Melrose Home provides a supportive environment for children aged between six to 18 who require care and protection in a residential setting. These are children whose parents or family members are unable to provide care or supervise them, so they’re referred to Melrose by the Child Protection Service.
What do you get out of volunteering for this place?
A warm and fuzzy feeling inside! Seriously though, giving back a little to our adopted home is very satisfying.
How can somebody get involved? What kind of help do they need?
Melrose Home is open to collaboration with volunteers in different areas – from home improvement tasks and enrichment and recreational activities, to mentorship programmes and fundraising projects. See childrensaidsociety.org.sg for more info, or get in touch at 6466 5758 or ask@childrensaidsociety.org.sg. They’ve also launched a Friends of Melrose Village campaign (bit.ly/melrosevillage) to raise funds for a major redevelopment project that will provide care and support for a broader range of age groups and needs.