Contributed by Lim Zheng Hong Bryan, Journalist @ WSC Publicity & Publications
It is no surprise that the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the traditional ways of volunteering. Efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 such as country-wide lockdowns and social distancing measures prevent volunteers from leaving their houses or visiting centres to be with the community. However, this has not deterred enthusiastic volunteers from engaging in their activities! In this article, we will explore the various ways Singaporeans have been supporting and showing care and concern towards others.
Video Calling
NTU WSC RSPDC members participating in their online activities via Zoom
With the advancement of technology and the exponential increase in in adoption rate of online applications, Singaporeans are able to take advantage of video call applications such as Zoom or Skype to continue their volunteering activities. Social organizations have been implementing this method to continue their activities, normalising online sessions. For example, AWWA’s Health and Senior Care Services invited volunteers to befriend and engage with seniors through activities such as Bingo and Zumba virtually. The friendship and camaraderie did not end after the Zoom call. Volunteers also sent seniors gifts such as e-cards and snacks as the bonds forged through the sessions extend outside of cyberspace.
Even social engagement clubs in local institutions are making use of video call applications to serve the community. Regular Service Project for the Deaf Community (RSPDC) is one of NTU Welfare Services Club’s (NTU WSC) regular volunteering clubs, where members normally visit designated centres to interact with and tutor kids. Despite the restrictions and inconveniences of the Circuit Breaker period and social distancing measures, the club members have been using Zoom to continue their sessions with their service users.
Help within Your Neighbourhood at Your Convenience
NTU WSC Members delivering care packs to families and elderly in Boon Lay
While restrictions have eased with the decrease in COVID-19 cases in Singapore, large gatherings are still restricted and social distancing is still imperative. You can choose to avoid large-scale events and simply help out around your neighbourhood by engaging in online services such as GoodHoodSG. Service users who require assistance will post their requests on the platform and volunteers in the vicinity will be notified. This service provides opportunities for volunteers to serve their immediate community through simple tasks such as offering free tuition services and delivering groceries to the elderly.
If you do not mind travelling outside of your neighbourhood, you can input your location on VolunteerMatch, a free online service that recommends opportunities to serve the community based on your location. While the recommended activities may not be as conveniently located compared to those listed in GoodHoodSG, they are still within a comfortable travelling distance.
Donate and Repair Laptops for Students
Photo source: Engineering Good Facebook Page
As home-based learning becomes an integral part of the secondary and Junior College curricula, students require computers now more than ever. Engineering Good is a non-profit organisation that leverages on their expertise in engineering to help disadvantaged communities. Their initiative, Computers against Covid, provides tech accessibility to students from lower income families. Volunteers have been collecting old laptops from kind donors and restoring them into working conditions for students to access school work at home and attend online lessons. If you have a knack for engineering and enjoy fixing electrical equipment, you can volunteer to repair the laptops. This will give you an opportunity to to put your skills to good use for a greater cause!
The Future for Volunteering
While the pandemic had disrupted volunteering activities for many, it has also served as a catalyst for the evolution of new and innovative ways for volunteers to continue serving the needs of the community. This imaginative spirit will surely be key in helping the volunteering community move forward – to redefine volunteering in the New Normal.
Sources:
https://thesmartlocal.com/read/volunteer-opportunities-singapore/