This is a Forum About the Community, For the Community, By the Community. The purpose is to showcase initiatives that have the potential to unlock the collaborative and collective power of community organisations and informal
groups. There will be an opportunity to hear from veterans of community development as well as a younger generation that have voluntarily mobilised to address unmet needs in Singapore. We will also hear from existing networks of community partners who
are involved in an Open Collaboration Initiative to map out social needs in Singapore, and participants are free to join or form their own networks to do this if they are keen.
We adopt an inclusive definition of the community and regard all non-governmental organisations (NGOs), voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs), cooperatives, mutual benefit organisations, community artists, grassroots organisations and other civil society
organisations to be relevant participants and audience for this Forum. We also want to actively encourage under-the-radar groups such as caregivers or peer support groups and other informal or ground-up initiatives to come and learn from one another.
If the community sees value in such a platform for dialogue and opportunities for collaboration, then we will invite interested parties to be on a working group to plan subsequent Forums.
Please view the programme here.
Panel I - What is a strong community?
Panel II - Open Collaboration to Understand Social Needs in Singapore
Panel III - Ground-Up Ways of Generating Sector Data
About
Beyond Social Services is an organisation dedicated to helping children and youths from less privileged backgrounds break away from the poverty cycle. It provides guidance, care and resources that enable families and communities to keep
their young people in school and out of trouble. Beyond has reached out to over 10,000 rental units in government rental blocks in Bukit Ho Swee, Lengkok Bahru, Henderson, Whampoa, Ang Mo Kio, Lavender, Stirling, Jalan Bukit Merah and Ghim Moh.
In February 2017, Cassia Resettlement Team was formed by volunteers to help elderly residents relocate from Dakota Crescent to Cassia Crescent as part of the Government’s plans to redevelop Dakota Crescent under Mountbatten's estate renewal
plans. From helping them move their possessions into their new homes, volunteers now continue to keep them company, be it helping with chores, offering free haircuts or bringing them to medical appointments that they may otherwise skip or find difficult
to arrange.
Established in 2006, the Lien Centre for Social Innovation is a partnership between the Lien Foundation and Singapore Management University to advance the thinking and capability of the social sector. Its mission to catalyse innovative
responses to social needs through applied research and capacity building in collaboration with the public, private and social sectors. Some of its partners include Tote Board, AWWA, Ashoka U as well as various embassies, schools and social enterprises
in the region.
Trampolene is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to develop technological solutions and services for charities, voluntary welfare organisations, social enterprises, social institutions and other social sector organisations, cultural
and arts organisations and sports organisations. One of its initiatives, Smart BFA, is a navigation app that provides up-to-date information on barrier-free environments, facilities and routes for wheelchair users, families with prams and elderlies
using walking aids.
The Disabled People’s Association advocates on behalf of and with persons with disabilities to engage with stakeholders, policy makers and other interested parties and ensure that persons with disabilities are involved in the consultation,
implementation and evaluation of policies and programmes that affect them. It aims to create awareness about as well as engage people, with or without disabilities, in discussions about disability through public education, training, consultative services,
research and advocacy.
Based in Singapore, Just Cause Asia aims to promote excellence in the non-profit sector through research, consulting and practical support for donors and non-profits. One of its projects, Giving Guides, aims to help potential donors choose
charities to give to through detailed reports that inform on a charity’s activities, impact, reputation, finances, governance, staff & volunteers and overall strategy and character.
Inspired by the Malay word for “help”, bantu is social enterprise that bridges volunteers to social causes through a volunteer matching platform. It helps social service organisations manage volunteer projects and volunteers, while providing
accessible, meaningful and engaging volunteer experiences to the community. It currently has around 20 organisations registered on its platform, and aspires to engender sustained volunteerism through good volunteer management.
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