Latest news with #NCSS
Business Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Shaw Foundation Hong Kong ties up with NCSS to house social service agencies at upcoming Shaw Tower
[SINGAPORE] The upcoming Shaw Tower is set to house various social service agencies when its redevelopment is completed in mid-2026. The development's community spaces will focus on mental wellness, as well as the arts and heritage. The Shaw Foundation Hong Kong is also establishing its own non-governmental organisation (NGO) to run programmes for beneficiaries at the property. Raymond Chan, chairman of Shaw Foundation Hong Kong, said at Shaw Tower's topping-out ceremony on Tuesday (Jul 29): 'In our commitment to giving back to the community, we are collaborating with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) in dedicating space for social service agencies in Singapore such as Montfort Care.' The effort comes under the Community and Sports Facilities Scheme by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). This scheme allows developers additional floor space of up to 2,000 square metres or 10 per cent of the maximum allowable floor area for the site – whichever is lower – for community use. The agencies will not pay rent to Shaw Towers Realty, the owner of Shaw Tower, but instead pay a service fee – in accordance with URA's requirements. 'This supports the broader push to integrate community facilities into commercial developments, supporting non-profit community service providers,' Chan added. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Shaw Tower, located in Beach Road and the Central Business District, will have 435,000 square feet (sq ft) of Grade A office space. It will also house community-centric facilities, including a multi-purpose hall, which will take up 21,500 sq ft. Highlighting mental wellness In an exclusive interview with The Business Times, Alfred Yeung, general manager of Shaw Towers Realty, said the tie-up with NCSS aligns with Shaw Foundation Hong Kong's philanthropic efforts, with the dedicated spaces focusing on mental wellness. 'This is highly appropriate in this kind of commercial environment, with office workers in the neighbourhood. It will serve not only the building's users, but also (those) within the larger radius,' he added. NCSS noted that Shaw Foundation Hong Kong first approached it in 2021 for the collaboration. NCSS then took the lead in turning the space into an integrated social services hub, which is 'a collaborative effort by the sector to create a seamless and comprehensive support system in caregivers' service journey', it said. Besides Montfort Care, which serves vulnerable children, families and seniors, Shaw Tower will also house mental health charity Brahm Centre and Children-At-Risk-Empowerment Association, which helps at-risk youths. Montfort Care will take the lead in co-creating the one-stop support hub for caregivers. 'Beyond caregiver support, the hub will feature integrated mental health services and arts and heritage programmes, developed in collaboration with Shaw Foundation (Hong Kong),' NCSS added. This initiative is part of NCSS' plans to develop three themed social service hubs across Singapore, alongside JiaYou Centre at Chinatown Point and an upcoming site at City Square Mall. New NGO Yeung said that Shaw Foundation Hong Kong will be establishing its own NGO called Shaw Studios – which stands for 'Shaw, Heritage, Arts and Wellness' – to serve various beneficiary groups. However, it will focus on early childhood and new mothers. The NGO will 'run and devise programmes linking arts, music and heritage with mental wellness', he said. Operations of the NGO will start in 2027 – six to nine months after Shaw Tower's redevelopment is completed. Shaw Towers Realty sits under Shaw Foundation Hong Kong. Lendlease is the project and development manager in Shaw Tower's current phase, and will become the property manager at the operational phase.
Business Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Shaw Foundation ties up with NCSS to house social service agencies at upcoming Shaw Tower
[SINGAPORE] The upcoming Shaw Tower is set to house various social service agencies when its redevelopment is completed in mid-2026. The development's community spaces will focus on mental wellness, as well as the arts and heritage. The Shaw Foundation is also establishing its own non-governmental organisation (NGO) to run programmes for beneficiaries. Raymond Chan, chairman of Shaw Foundation, said at Shaw Tower's topping-out ceremony on Tuesday (Jul 29): 'In our commitment to giving back to the community, we are collaborating with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) in dedicating space for social service agencies in Singapore such as Montfort Care.' The effort comes under the Community and Sports Facilities Scheme by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). This scheme allows developers additional floor space of up to 2,000 square metres or 10 per cent of the maximum allowable floor area for the site – whichever is lower – for community use. The agencies will not pay rent to Shaw Towers Realty, the owner of Shaw Tower, but instead pay a service fee – in accordance with URA's requirements. 'This supports the broader push to integrate community facilities into commercial developments, supporting non-profit community service providers,' Chan added. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Shaw Tower, located in Beach Road and the Central Business District, will have 435,000 square feet (sq ft) of Grade A office space. It will also house community-centric facilities, including a multi-purpose hall, which will take up 21,500 sq ft. Highlighting mental wellness In an exclusive interview with The Business Times, Alfred Yeung, general manager of Shaw Towers Realty, said the tie-up with NCSS aligns with Shaw Foundation's philanthropic efforts, with the dedicated spaces focusing on mental wellness. 'This is highly appropriate in this kind of commercial environment, with office workers in the neighbourhood. It will serve not only the building's users, but also (those) within the larger radius,' he added. NCSS noted that Shaw Foundation first approached it in 2021 for the collaboration. NCSS then took the lead in turning the space into an integrated social services hub, which is 'a collaborative effort by the sector to create a seamless and comprehensive support system in caregivers' service journey', it said. Besides Montfort Care, which serves vulnerable children, families and seniors, Shaw Tower will also house mental health charity Brahm Centre and Children-At-Risk-Empowerment Association, which helps at-risk youths. Montfort Care will take the lead in co-creating the one-stop support hub for caregivers. 'Beyond caregiver support, the hub will feature integrated mental health services and arts and heritage programmes, developed in collaboration with Shaw Foundation,' NCSS added. This initiative is part of NCSS' plans to develop three themed social service hubs across Singapore, alongside JiaYou Centre at Chinatown Point and an upcoming site at City Square Mall. New NGO Yeung said that Shaw Foundation will be establishing its own NGO called Shaw – an acronym for 'Shaw, Heritage, Arts and Wellness' – to serve various beneficiary groups. However, it will focus on early childhood and new mothers. The NGO will 'run and devise programmes linking arts, music and heritage with mental wellness', he said. Operations of the NGO will start in 2027 – six to nine months after Shaw Tower's redevelopment is completed. Shaw Towers Realty sits under Shaw Foundation. Lendlease is the project and development manager in Shaw Tower's current phase, and will become the property manager at the operational phase.
Business Times
27-07-2025
- Health
- Business Times
Income Insurance, NCSS launch S$10 million grant to support caregivers
[SINGAPORE] Janet Yeo was a caregiver to her mum, who had dementia, and faced a double whammy when her husband was diagnosed with cancer. That was the breaking point, as she had to care for both of them, said the partner at an interior architectural firm. 'Caregiving is tiring and difficult, as there is the emotional attachment as well to the patients.' To give caregivers more support, Income Insurance and the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday (Jul 25) to launch the Income OrangeAid Caregiver Support Accelerator Grant. The grant is worth S$10 million and is part of Income Insurance's commitment to invest S$100 million in Singapore communities by 2030 via Income OrangeAid. The initiative will comprise two grant calls over five years from 2025, and will support up to 20 caregiver programmes run by SSAs. Each grant call will fund up to 10 programmes, with up to S$200,000 per programme in the first two years and S$100,000 in the third year. Giving a boost The move is to uplift the capabilities of the social service agencies (SSAs) ecosystem, said Tan Li San, CEO of NCSS. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up 'Firstly, it will foster innovation by guiding SSAs to employ design-thinking methodologies, enabling SSAs to develop creative and impactful solutions for caregivers. This approach will help SSAs enhance their existing services with targeted support in crucial areas such as psychological well-being and financial adequacy. 'Secondly, it will build a sustainable ecosystem by providing SSAs with multi-year support to develop and implement holistic caregiver support programmes, while requiring SSAs to demonstrate how their initiatives will continue beyond the funding period. This emphasis on sustainability ensures that the support systems we build today will continue to benefit caregivers in the long term.' NCSS' 2024 Quality of Life Study revealed that caregivers in Singapore report a lower quality of life compared with non-caregivers across the physical, social relationships and environment domains. Andrew Yeo, CEO of Income Insurance, said: 'We recognise that the SSAs are the primary touchpoints for caregivers in Singapore. By partnering NCSS, which channels resources to SSAs in Singapore, we are coupling deep sector expertise with strong financial support to uplift the SSA ecosystem to develop targeted support for caregivers to improve their quality of life, especially in the areas of physical, mental and financial well-being.' Tan Li San (left), CEO of NCSS, and Andrew Yeo, CEO of Income Insurance at the MOU signing ceremony. PHOTO: INCOME INSURANCE Shannen Fong, vice-president and head of strategic communications and sustainability at Income Insurance, concurred, adding: 'Caregiving in Asia is linked to filial piety, and some may not even know they are caregivers.' Singapore society is projected to become super-aged by 2026, and by 2030, one in four people in Singapore will be aged 65 and above. Yeo of Income Insurance said: 'This means that caregivers, who are often the spouses and close relatives of an aged person, are likely seniors themselves, and may also be facing health or other related challenges that are compounding this urgency for support.' The initiative, which he described as 'groundbreaking', is built on a more sustainable public-private partnership model. 'Our support can go a longer way in bringing about a multiplier effect as more SSAs can stand to benefit and be empowered to support more caregivers over the long term,' he added. 'To unlock the annual seed funding, grantees must demonstrate tangible outcomes, programme scalability and impact, as well as financial sustainability of the programme.' The CEO of Income Insurance added that the last point is critical given that funding in the third year will be stepped down to ensure that grantee programmes are in a good place to thrive beyond the grant period. Janet Yeo agreed that such initiatives are helpful as they fill a gap. She herself benefited from caregiver education by the Mindfull Community – formerly known as Caregivers Alliance Limited – which 'equipped me with knowledge, coping skills, self-care strategies'.
CNA
02-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
S$7.5m fund launched to help social service agencies track impact of programmes, refine offerings
Social service agencies can tap a new S$7.5 million fund to improve expected outcomes of their programmes and refine services. The National Council of Social Service said this will attract sustained funding as sponsors can better track the progress of the programmes. The fund was announced at the NCSS Social Service Summit. Around S$34 million has been invested into technology capabilities within the social service sector since 2022. These aim to improve operational efficiency and help alleviate manpower challenges amid a shortage of social workers. Chloe Teo reports.
Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
New $7.5m fund to encourage social service agencies to track impact of their programmes
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli speaking at the Social Service Summit on July 2. SINGAPORE - Social service agencies can now tap a new $7.5 million fund by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) to assess their programmes, refine services and better support clients. The SG60 Towards Sustainability Fund will provide a special one-off grant of $30,000 to eligible agencies. This move to strengthen the capabilities of agencies wil l help them attract sustained funding from donors, ensuring that their programmes can continue to thrive, said Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli on July 2. He was speaking at the Social Service Summit held at Sands Expo and Convention Centre. About 2,000 industry professionals and foreign delegates attended the two-day event. Social service agencies which are NCSS members can apply for the new fund. Mr Masagos laid out three moves to bring the social service sector forward: tapping technology for greater impact, developing social service agencies' capabilities and uplifting professionals in the sector. He said the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) is implementing various digital tools to support the social services sector. It will roll out a new system for the sector, CaseCentral, which uses artificial intelligence to streamline case management processes, automate workflows and provide insights on clients and their families. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Developed by Open Government Products, the tool was made available to eligible social service agencies in January. In his speech, Mr Masagos also touched on the benefits and risks of technology advancements. This includes its potential to connect people, but also lead to increased social isolation, as well as the impact of social media on mental health, especially among the young. And while technology greatly facilitates the sharing of information, poor cybersecurity can lead to data leaks and misuse, he said. 'These are just some of the very real issues that face our society and our clients. As part of the social service sector, we must become familiar with them,' he said. He said social service agencies can reach more people with their services with the prevalence of AI chatbots, virtual assistants, and remote services such as online counselling. 'Ultimately though, we are a sector built on heart and soul,' he said. 'Our use of data, technology and AI can allow us to provide more personalised and targeted care. But the human touch and empathy with which we deliver our services can and must be evident even as we leverage technology for service delivery.' Ms Petrina Tan, head of corporate communications and partnership at Care Corner Singapore, said the new fund would help the agency to measure 'meaningful progress' for initiatives where impact can only be seen over a long time, to know a programme is on track. 'It's important for us to understand early on whether the programme design needs any adjustments, so we can stay responsive and ensure it delivers the best outcomes,' she said. At Care Corner Singapore, over 100 of its social workers have used Scribe, in counselling and casework sessions with clients - which include low-income parents, seniors and couples going through divorce - since January. This has cut down the time taken for them to prepare case notes from one hour to 30 minutes, said Ms Gina Lin, design lead in Care Corner's Innovation Squad. Previously, social workers took notes on paper during the sessions or relied on their memory to put reports together. 'Now that the worker doesn't have to write notes to remember or just try to recall what the client has said, it has allowed them to be a lot more present and just to focus on the client during the session,' she said. To support their digitalisation efforts, agencies can also tap NCSS' Transformation Sustainability Scheme, which provides funding for human resource functions and talent attraction, among other aspects . Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli touring the exhibition at the Social Service Summit 2025 on July 2. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI To recognise the more than 20,000 professionals in the social service sector, MSF has also designated this SG60 year as the Year of Celebrating Social Service Professionals, said Mr Masagos. 'This year, we have publicised the meaningful work of social service professionals on various channels, to raise awareness of the different roles in the sector and inspire greater appreciation for their many contributions.' The inaugural Social Service Professional Awards will also be presented on July 2 to honour the work of professionals from social work to therapy and corporate services, he said. Salary ranges for the sector are also constantly reviewed to ensure it continues to draw talent, he said, adding that about 80 per cent of employees in the social service sector are paid according to the guidelines.
