From organising online reading sessions to raising funds for families in rental flats, Bringing Love to Every Single Soul (BLESS) decided that disruptions due to COVID-19 would not affect their good work. Read about how Gillian Peck, BLESS’ Managing Director, got creative with their ComLink @ Marsiling programmes: https://msfcaresblog.com/2020/08/31/strengthening-community-partnerships-to-better-serve-families/

#LetsMeet Brian Monteiro, from Catholic Welfare Services, who partners us in reaching out to rough sleepers.

"I recall a memorable heart-warming interaction with a rough sleeper who shared with me that being able to sleep on a mattress after many years on a cardboard box got him thinking more seriously about the present circumstances in his life.

Our colleagues and volunteers conduct weekly night walks (also known as Friday Night Mission) to reach out and befriend rough sleepers on the streets.

One of our collaborators, Masks for All SG joined us on a recent night walk, and even provided some 6500 masks and other supplies to Catholic Welfare Services and also to the rest of the PEERS Network, to help keep these vulnerable groups safe. I would like to thank them for all their hard work in supporting our homeless friends during this challenging period.

I hope that the community can also be compassionate towards the homeless, and encourage them to seek shelter or return home."

Being more cooped up at home, along with job insecurity and dwindling income, can result in an “environment where tempers flare and stress takes its toll”. This may lead to an uptick of family violence.

With fellow members of the Taskforce on Family Violence, Georgette Tan, President of United Women Singapore, hopes to empower victims to break the cycle of violence. Find out how they have been working together to combat family violence during this pandemic: https://msfcaresblog.com/2020/08/31/say-no-to-family-violence/

#LetsMeet Mr Rosswira Bin Ismail, 49, a freelance stagehand worker, whose perseverance shone through when COVID-19 affected his income. He now does ad-hoc delivery to supplement his income. 

“I still have some savings but if I don’t receive enough work and keep taking from my savings, it will slowly become zero.

I told myself I cannot give up, so I’m still looking out for jobs. The COVID-19 Support Grant has given me some relief and I plan to apply for another three months of assistance.”

Find out if you are eligible for the CSG too: go.gov.sg/msf-csg-faqs

As we celebrate International Day of Sign Languages today, #LetsMeet counsellor for the deaf community, Tina Li.

“I first learnt sign language in secondary school through interacting with my fellow hard-of-hearing friends, and joining activities that included the deaf.

As a counsellor now, sign language helps me to communicate clearly with my deaf clients, and understand their needs to provide suitable help. It allows me to express myself better, compared to gesturing or writing, and has also brought me closer to the deaf community.”

When was the last time you chatted with your grandparents or paid them a visit?

Spending time regularly with our extended family is just as important as bonding with those around us. Here are six ways to forge closer ties with your grandparents and build warm memories along the way: https://www.familiesforlife.sg/discover-an-article/Pages/How-Well-Do-We-Understand-Our-Grands0914-7282.aspx

#CelebratingOurGrands #FFLShareTheCare

Not long after her first child was born, Diana’s (not her real name) once loving and patient husband started losing his temper easily, and abused her.

Although she felt trapped in her marriage, Diana thought that bearing the abuse was her duty as a wife. One day, she realised that the abuse could impact her children’s safety and emotional well-being, and decided to pluck up her courage and seek help from social service organisations. She then filed for a Personal Protection Order to protect herself and her children.

Today is the International Day of Non-Violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, reach out for help and break the silence. Find out more at www.msf.gov.sg/breakthesilence.

#LetsMeet Ronnie Ma, Kampong Glam Citizens’ Consultative Committee Chairman, who coordinates food support activities in the area.

“During the Circuit Breaker, the demand for food tripled, as more families were having meals at home. My team and I worked tirelessly with volunteers and coordinated the distribution of food packs – donated by various food charities – to families in need.

It was very encouraging to see an influx of volunteers stepping forward to serve the community when we put up a notice asking for more help.”

This Saturday, 10 October, join Families for Life in #CelebratingOurGrands to show appreciation to your grandparents or granduncles and grandaunts! Design a personalised book cover for your Grands to let them know how special they are to you, and stand to win a weekend staycation and other attractive prizes for your family.

Read on to find out more: https://www.familiesforlife.sg/unite-at-an-event/Pages/Celebrating-Our-Grands-2020.aspx

#FFLGrandStories2020

This World Mental Health Day, #LetsMeet Bringing Love to Every Single Soul (BLESS)' Managing Director, Gillian Peck, who promotes art-making as a way to sustain mental well-being.

“5 years ago, my struggle with depression and an eating disorder led me to drop out of university. I visited an art therapist who helped me work through my issues, and taught me to express my emotions through art. I set up an Instagram account (@he.artnotes) to share my artworks, and spread hope and positivity to others, which helped me get my life back on track.

Now, I am also reaching out to youths from rental households through BLESS’ upcoming mental health workshops.

I hope that my story can inspire people to take charge of their mental health, and seek help early.”

If you need emotional and psychological support, call the National CARE Hotline at 1800-202-6868 from 8am to midnight daily or visit go.gov.sg/mentalwellnessresources.

On World Food Day today, #LetsMeet Sim Bee Hia, Chief Executive Officer of Food From the Heart.

“During the Circuit Breaker period, we had to ensure that the provision of food rations was not disrupted for families in need. Although we faced several logistical challenges, we are thankful to volunteers who came forward to help with packing and delivering the food packs to our beneficiaries.

We have also expanded Project Belanja!, our charity meal programme that allows beneficiaries to scan a card and redeem meals at selected hawker stalls. We now have more partner hawkers, so we can serve more beneficiaries.”

“There are multiple messages in all the tracks of the 10-song cycle. But the one message that I hope will stay with listeners, especially those with mental health conditions, is that they are not alone.”

Together with the other members of 3am Music Collective, guitarist Ivan Lim turns his lived experience with mental health conditions into music that connects with others in a special way, and performed selections from their album at the virtual Beyond The Label Fest 2020. Read on to find out what motivates them: https://msfcaresblog.com/2020/09/30/beyond-the-label/

The pandemic has made many of us think about the uncertainties we face. Planning ahead and making your Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) will give you and your loved ones peace of mind that there will be a trusted person to make decisions on your behalf if you lose your mental capacity one day.

To make it more convenient for Singaporeans, we are proposing to amend the Mental Capacity Act to allow for digitalisation of the LPA.

Share your feedback on our proposed amendments from now to 18 November 2020 at go.gov.sg/mcapublicconsultation and help us serve you better!

#LetsMeet Monica Datta from DBS, who has been working with The Food Bank Singapore to develop a nationwide virtual food banking platform that aims to provide support to families in need and reduce food waste at the same time.

“We believe that no one should go hungry, and wanted to do something to help vulnerable individuals and families who are struggling with basic food needs. Over the past year, we have been working on an app that allows food support organisations to submit requests from their beneficiaries directly to food donors. I’m looking forward to the app's launch later this year, as I hope it will help to reduce one of Singapore's largest waste streams, food waste, and lead to a more food secure world in the future.”