Ms Nadira Bte Abdullah, 38, a mother of three and resident of Ang Mo Kio since 2014, discovered her passion for community service through a chance invitation from her neighbour. Inspired by the opportunity to give back, she started volunteering in 2022 at Allkin Community @ Ang Mo Kio 643, and hasn’t looked back since.

Allkin Singapore, formerly known as AMKFSC Community Services, was established in 1978 as Singapore’s first family service centre. Through various services and community initiatives, it aims to build a thriving and connected community and inspire others to create positive change.

Aligned with this mission, Ms Nadira has become an active contributor, dedicating her time to volunteering once a week, while also working part-time as a community enabler for Beyond Social Services. “What motivates me is seeing the smiles on people’s faces and the satisfaction I get after helping someone,” she said.

Prior to volunteering at Allkin, she was already active in her neighbourhood at Blk 125, where she helped organise grocery distributions for needy families. While distributing food daily to elderly residents through her involvement with non-profit organisation Willing Hearts, she noticed that some seniors were living in isolation with little to no social interaction. “I couldn’t bear the thought of them feeling so alone, especially in their later years,” she said.

Determined to make a difference, Ms Nadira gathered a few neighbours to initiate the “Golden Years Together” (GYT) community initiative in 2024. The initiative brings vulnerable seniors together to socialise and build meaningful relationships, so they don’t feel forgotten. The first GYT event saw participation from 27 seniors, and she is planning more to strengthen community bonds, such as the recent Chinese New Year gathering. “It’s about helping them enjoy their golden years with dignity and warmth,” she added.

To further develop the GYT initiative, Ms Nur Hazirah Bte Salehudin, 28, a community worker with Allkin Singapore, advised Ms Nadira and her team to submit the initiative for the Allkin-Dr Vasoo Community Innovation Award in 2024, which recognises community-driven initiatives. Their efforts paid off. They won the award and secured funding to organise more events under the initiative.

Ms Hazirah plays a crucial role in guiding residents to take charge of issues that matter to them. Rather than offering ready-made solutions, she helps them identify their own strengths and abilities, fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration within the community. 

Through mentoring and support, she empowers them to step up and develop their own initiatives, such as the GYT initiative, which supports isolated seniors. “It’s about giving them the tools and the confidence to make a difference in their own way,” she explained. Her advice to others in social work? “Don’t see yourself as a saviour – focus on humanising the process and letting the community shine with its strengths.”

Aside from individual initiatives such as the GYT initiative, Allkin Community @ Ang Mo Kio 643 serves as an open space where residents can drop by to make friends and support each other. “We often use the community hub for gatherings and discussions. This allows residents to meet more neighbours, increasing their social support, which indirectly improves their mental well-being as part of a holistic approach,” said Ms Nadira.

Ms Nadira’s efforts have led to meaningful change, as one of the seniors she helped has now joined as a volunteer at Allkin. Ms Hazirah also shared that the seniors in the GYT initiative have expressed interest in more arts and crafts workshops that allow them to explore their strengths and passions. “Initially, we thought health talks would be useful, but the seniors told us they prefer hands-on activities and would like to invite more seniors to join them on outings,” she explained. With their input, the team is working to create more engaging and enjoyable experiences for everyone.

[Chinese]

Allkin Singapore协助居民发挥潜能，推展各种爱心计划，营造更加关爱与互助的社区。

[Malay]

Allkin Singapore memperkasakan penduduk bagi mendorong perubahan positif, memupuk sebuah masyarakat yang lebih prihatin dan terhubung.

[Tamil]

“Allkin Singapore” அமைப்பு, குடியிருப்பாளர்கள் ஆக்ககரமான மாற்றத்தை உண்டாக்க ஆற்றலளித்து, அதன்வழி மேலும் பரிவான, இணைவான சமூகத்தை எவ்வாறு வளர்க்கிறது என்பதைத் தெரிந்து கொள்ளுங்கள்.