Volunteering Opportunities For Kids And Adults In Singapore

WILLING HEARTS: Chai Chee, Off Bedok *Volunteering In Singapore

A secular, non-affiliated charity, Willing Hearts operates a soup kitchen that prepares, cooks and distributes about 11,000 meals daily, all year round. They need all the help they can get, and you can get involved by participating in tasks like preparing ingredients, packing lunchboxes or cleaning and washing. It’s a low-commitment and flexible volunteering experience since they have several timeslots you can choose from per day.

Willing Hearts, 11 Jalan Ubi Blk 6, #01-51 Kembangan – Chai Chee Community Hub, 409074, +65 6476 5822, www.willinghearts.org.sg

RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION - EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPY

The Riding For The Disabled Association (RDA) welcomes volunteers both as groups and individuals! They are a registered charity that provides equine-assisted therapy to children and adults with physical and mental disabilities, free of charge. No horse experience is needed, and training will be provided for those who’d like to volunteer as sidewalkers. As a sidewalker, you’ll be providing both physical assistance and emotional support during the therapy sessions. RDA also welcomes volunteers who are interested to help with barn work and fundraising. Volunteers need to be at least 16 years old, and applicants under 21 years old will require parental consent.

RDA, 5 Jln Mashhor, Singapore 299174, +65 6250 0176, www.rdasingapore.org

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - ELIMINATE POVERTY HOUSING

In the fight against poverty, Habitat For Humanity was established to eliminate poverty housing worldwide by building simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner families themselves and volunteers. In Singapore, Habitat For Humanity runs Project HomeWorks, where they clean up houses of the impoverished elderly population and provide adequate household furnishings for needy families. There is also the StarBuilders program, which empowers the disadvantaged and marginalized youth to give back to society by participating in varied activities.

Habitat Housing, www.habitat.org.sg

NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD - KIDSREAD VOLUNTEER

Make a difference through the kidsREAD program at National Library Board, which provides reading sessions for underprivileged children. If you love books and want to spread the joy of reading, this is an ideal volunteering program as long as you’re able to commit an hour per week for at least six months. Volunteers should be at least 15 years old and have a good command of the English language.

National Library Board, www.nlb.gov.sg/BeakidsREADVolunteer

IT’S RAINING RAINCOATS - SPREADING KINDNESS TO MIGRANT WORKERS

It’s Raining Raincoats is a simple initiative that spreads kindness to migrant workers in a variety of different ways! Their aim is to improve the lives of migrant workers in Singapore through imaginative and authentic strategies. You can get involved via volunteer programs that they run from time to time, including their Singapore Flyer Tour, collection and distribution of goodies, helping out during festival celebrations, and more. 

It’s Raining Raincoats, itsrainingraincoats@gmail.com, www.itsrainingraincoats.com

MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION - GRANTING CHILDREN'S WISHES

What could be more meaningful than granting wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions? That’s exactly what the Make A Wish Foundation has set out to do since its establishment in 2003. You can simply make a monetary donation, volunteer to be a ‘Wish Granter’ or assist with the foundation’s administrative work. It's a really fulfilling cause that will help put a smile on many kids' faces.

Make A Wish Foundation, http://makeawish.org.sg

THE FOOD BANK SINGAPORE - FOOD DISTRIBUTION

The Food Bank’s mission is to end food insecurity in all forms in Singapore. Besides helping to reduce food wastage by rescuing food before it goes to waste, they also distribute food for several food relief efforts. Volunteers can help by sorting their inventory and packing food donations, or even help out with food delivery if they have a driver’s license. The Food Bank also has a Juniors Club for kids aged 5 to 12, where young kids can participate in ad-hoc volunteering opportunities and activities during the school holidays!

The Food Bank Singapore, volunteer@foodbank.sg, www.foodbank.sg

HOPE CENTRE - IMPROVING THE WELLBEING OF PEOPLE IN NEED

Committed to improving the overall wellbeing of all people in Singapore and worldwide, Hope Centre runs a regular food distribution program called ‘Breakfast with Love’ for seniors as well as tuition program, ‘Tuition with love’, for underprivileged children. You can bring hope to these people as well by befriending the elderly, accompanying them during their exercise or activities or tutoring students in their schoolwork.

Hope Centre, www.hopecentre.org.sg

TRASH HERO - CLEANUPS AROUND SINGAPORE

Trash Hero hosts weekly cleanups around Singapore to clean up beaches and streets islandwide. There’s no age limit for their programs, so you can sign up as a family and bring the kids along! All you have to do is simply show up at the designated time and place; the rest, like gloves and trash bags, will be provided. It’s a good initiative to support and a great way for kids to start their volunteering journey.

Trash Hero, www.facebook.com/TrashHeroSingapore

CHILDREN’S WISHING WELL - SUPPORTING STUDENTS FROM LOW INCOME FAMILIES

Children’s Wishing Well supports students from low income families, and runs various programs such as FRESH, granting wishes and tutoring.

Besides providing groceries to low income families, the FRESH program also organizes supermarket trips for children from these families. During these trips, they can shop for what they really like and need within a budget. Volunteers also teach them about nutrition and budgeting along the way so that they’re better able to make value-for-money grocery decisions in future.

You can find out about their many other volunteer programs via their website.

Children’s Wishing Well, www.wishingwell.org.sg

SMILE ASIA - TREATING CHILDREN WITH FACIAL DEFORMATIES

Be a part of a global network by volunteering for Smile Asia, an organization catered to treat children with facial deformities. Not a medical professional? Not to worry! You can still make a difference by signing up as a non-medical volunteer where you can lend a hand in administrative areas or raise funds through events and networks. In Singapore, areas in need are project-based (development and administrative) and also to raise awareness of Smile Asia’s cause.

Smile Asia, www.smileasia.org

ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN FOR ACTION AND RESEARCH - REMOVE GENDER-BASED BARRIERS

AWARE is dedicated towards removing gender-based barriers and believes in equal opportunities for all. From being help-liners to legal clinic lawyers, you can get involved in their many projects, activities or even initiate volunteering opportunities of your own. What’s more, you can choose to work from home or be stationed at the AWARE office or both. Training is even provided for certain voluntary positions.

AWARE, www.aware.org.sg

ACTION FOR SINGAPORE DOGS - ANIMAL WELFARE

Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD)'s main objective is to improve the welfare of stray and abandoned doggies in Singapore. As a volunteer, you can assist in fostering needy pooches, raising funds for the foundation, and helping out at their Adoption and Rescue Centre. If your family can afford the time and finances to foster dogs before they find their forever home, your kids will definitely love the idea of having a furry friend running around the house!

Action For Singapore Dogs, http://asdsingapore.com/wp/

HOUSE RABBIT SOCIETY - REHOMING UNWANTED RABBITS

Devoted to rabbit welfare and awareness, House Rabbit Society (Singapore) seeks to reduce the number of unwanted rabbits in Singapore and improve the lives of rabbits through education. You can choose to re-home abandoned rabbits for their fostering program. Check out their website for information on bunny care to see if adopting a bunny is something you and your family have confidence in managing.

House Rabbit Society, www.hrss.net