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Read what SG Cares volunteers have to say about their volunteering experiences.

I had no regrets at all participating in the 'Cardiac Arrest Response' activity. Knowing now that a device such as the AED exists, I hope to spread the word so that others can know about it too. It won't be easy educating the public about the AED but I feel it is essential that the public know about such an important life-saving device. I'm really glad to have a great recap on performing CPR and learning how to take advantage of the AED to increase the survival rate of a cardiac arrest victim by a huge margin. - Andrew

I really enjoyed myself at IMH. Before attending the activity, I didn't know what to expect (and I admit I had some preconceived notions of how 'mental' patients would be like) but I realised some of them are just like us 'normal' people. If you met them on the streets you wouldn't know they were such patients. It's important for them to know that not everyone stigmatises them & that there are people who care about them & treat them with respect & dignity. - Norrizan

I was so glad that I attended Toss the Ball last Friday. I could see from their eyes the happiness we had given them even in such a short time only. Even though we just stayed there for few hours, the fulfillment and joy we had bring them made it worthwhile. There's a saying that we will only be young once, but the joy I saw on the elderly's faces last Friday made me think that Yes, we will only be young once, but the activity we had with them felt like that they were YOUNG once again. - Lovely

Just wanted to say that it feels great to be able to contribute to the commumity, a contrast to the boring routine life I lead. As an university student, CIP is not a requirement and there's very little chance for me to participate in such event (partly because I'm lazy to look for them and the changing time table). I really miss the days in JC where I was a member of Interact Club and was able to help out the less fortunate on regular basis. SG Cares provides such a opportunity for me to help out whenever I am free and I'm really glad to have join the organisation. - Le

It was my first time volunteering at ACRES and I found this activity meaningful. I did not know that recycled bottles could be use to make beautiful structures for the tortoises and also save the environment too. At the same time, I made new friends. I am so looking forward to participate in the same activity. - Evonne

I enjoyed the opportunity to socialise and dance with the patients from the Institute of Mental Health. I grew in confidence and lead the dances for a few weeks. It was sometimes difficult to interact but we tried to encourage them all to participate. I learned that I can express myself, help others and take on a leadership role. This activity made me more aware of the wider community here in Singapore and made me more sympathetic, open-minded and friendly towards all people. - Monica

I enjoyed helping to entertain the people who stay at the Institute. I found that I was less shy than I thought I was and that I can bring happiness to others with a small effort. I became more appreciative of the people who take care of the patients in the institute. It is a lot of hard work and I also realized how blessed I am to be healthy. - Caitlin

I enjoyed interacting with the people around the Institute of Mental Health and learning about them. I learned how to adjust the pace and rhthym of our dance moves so that the patients would be able to join in. This activity has shown me how to appreciate the small things and to accept people with special needs for who they are and not to judge them." - Danielle

I had a good time last Saturday. It was the first time volunteering for this activity. Honestly, I didn’t know how I should communicate with the elderly because I am Japanese. I cannot speak Chinese, Cantonese, etc, and my English is not good. However, I gradually understood how to interact with them by learning from other volunteers’ behaviour. I observed how they made contact and followed them. I tried to keep smiling and talked to them politely and in return, they smiled and some even held my hand. I was really happy and wanted to make them even happier! It was not easy for some elderly to actively speak but when we talked to them, they looked so happy. So, I think they need someone to talk to them like friends and that’s how volunteers help. They look forward to meeting us and I want to meet them again. - Megumi

I will go back to IMH again as I want to communicate with the patients and build up a long-term relationship with them. I have asked my boss to give me a day off every month (when time permits) to volunteer for this activity. - Jerry

I am glad to be able to make a difference... I feel great - great that I had made good use of my Saturday morning and making someone happy. – June Soon

Regular volunteers (including staff at SG Cares and NVPC) are the rocks; part-time volunteers are the sand. Without having both, the bottle can never be full. - Leong Foo

I learn a lot about myself through volunteering. I'm actually not a sociable person by nature so the sessions also benefited me. It takes so little to bring a little cheer; just 2 hours and an open heart and mind. I thank the beneficiaries for being open to my presence and for sharing their stories. I hope more people participate in SG Cares as it gives one a chance to relax and reflect; and a chance to be a better person. - Ida

Since the day I started volunteering for communities back home in the Philippines when I was still young, until today that I am already in a foreign land, I've never been to a supreme & real bliss of giving myself to others until I met SG Cares and had my first volunteering experience with them at the Institute of Mental Health. The moment I stepped out of the IMH building after the activity, something changed in me. From that day on, I realized...as long as there are words like "LOVE" & "CARE"...no one will be left alone - me, you, THEM!" - May

A quote: Volunteering is an enjoyable and meaningful activity to do whenever you see a smile on the people's face whom you are helping. - Pauline

Volunteering has allowed me to reveal my compassion towards the needy people so that their life and my life will be filled with colour and hope every single day. - Han Jun Yuan

I found the session meaningful. It gave me the chance to understand more about special students. - Candy

I truly enjoyed the volunteering session. Initially I thought it wouldn't be very meaningful. I wouldn't have thought this service would mean so much to the people at the AWWA Resource Centre if not for what Teresa had said. I've come to realise how budget is a huge factor to consider in VWOs. - Stephanie

My first volunteering experience has been fantastic and fruitful. We will never know there are really so many people who are in need of help until we take up volunteering and we see and hear from the beneficiaries and organisations themselves. This has been a really a meaningful experience for me! - Meiqi

Thank you, SG Cares, for caring enough to spin off something like this for those of us out there who wanted to do something good but not sure how & where to start. And I am so glad I have finally started my journey of discovery. I am looking forward to more interesting "do-good" opportunities coming from SG Cares! - Jaclyn

SG Cares offers a humbling reminder each week for me that there is place in the world for kindness and goodness that we too often forget in our stressful and materialistic lives. Every volunteer and worker I met is a role model. - Elaine

It's a real eye opener for me and an opportunity to do what I enjoy, which is working with people and helping those less privileged enjoy their lives as much as possible. I was not aware IMH would be so big an institution and knowing what activities are available for the patients and getting involved is an inspiration for me and hopefully for them too. I will definitely attend again if my shift permits, as I am someone who really enjoys helping others and can hopefully have a positive impact on their lives going forward. I feel privileged to be a part of SG Cares and find the web portal to be very user friendly. Hopefully there will be more activities available over time. - Simon

Thank you for facilitating sports at IMH. The experience has been absolutely enjoyable and meaningful and I would be back again if time permits. Last but not least, thank you for setting up SG Cares! Wish it was up earlier while in school when community involvement projects were compulsory and I had to source for volunteer opportunities for the class as the representative. But it is definitely not too late as this is a wonderful initiative to encourage more people to be involved in volunteering. - Ellen

It was absolutely enjoyable! And absolutely a meaningful and humbling experience for me, especially when I see the patients smiling and having a good time playing with each other and with us. I'm glad I signed up for the session because it allowed me a peek into life at IMH, for which otherwise has always been foreign to me. - Huda

I always find that I take more away from these volunteering activities than what I have to give. - Shuhuai

The drive behind my repeated volunteering participation in ‘BINGO with Elderly’ is simply seeing the happy faces of different ‘winners’ emerge out from every session! The positive response from elderly means a lot to me as these happy moments are something that money can’t buy. All it takes to share is barely 2 hours of my time” - Lillian

I ventured out little knowing the influence it would have on me. It turned out to be the best thing I have ever done. Thank you SG Cares for opening my eyes to the needs of others. - Judy Han

I really enjoyed it and may sign up to go there as regularly as my shift allows because I get as much out of it as the benficiaries do. It was my first volunteering assignment and I hope to do a lot more! - Simon

This is the first time that I am volunteering with SG Cares and I have enjoyed myself interacting with the elderly. Seeing the smiles on their faces when they have won something just makes my day. I will definitely continue to volunteer for other activities that SG Cares has to offer. - Evonne

The SG Cares activity with SAVH not only gave me the opportunity to interact with the beneficiaries but also to learn about the visually handicapped community, their vision and services. It offered a meaningful and convenient way of exploring volunteering. - Hui Hui