Inter-generational Programme

The Dialect Programme brings together seniors from our Day Centres for Seniors and the younger generation from My First Skool and PCF Sparkletots to teach and learn Chinese dialects - Hokkien, Teochew, and Cantonese. Through these regular sessions, children learn simple phrases through interactive activities and form friendships with the seniors.

NTUC Health has partnered the National Museum of Singapore to organise regular heritage-based programmes that encourages seniors and children to learn about the past by viewing exhibits and doing activities together.

Four seniors shared their personal stories and how they experience joyful living after joining programmes at our Active Ageing Centre (Care) (Jurong Central Plaza), in a booklet, “Presenting the Past, Inspiring the Future”. The booklet was written and produced by students from the Singapore University of Social Sciences, with support from GenLab Collective and the South West Community Development Council.

Rooted in design thinking, Designing Together brings youth and seniors together at our Active Ageing Centres to co-create solutions to the challenges of ageing. Supported by the GenLab Collective, the programme fosters meaningful intergenerational collaboration through shared problem-solving and dialogue.

In this initiative designed by two student volunteers, seniors from our Active Ageing Centres and their grandchildren team up to build LEGO® cars and learn coding using the block-based platform Scratch 3.0. They then showcase their new skills in an exciting LEGO® car race at the end of the programme. Through learning in a fun, collaborative setting, the seniors and children form deeper bonds with each other. This programme is also conducted with preschoolers from our partner schools.

Seniors from our Day Centre for Seniors (Toa Payoh) return to the classroom at CHIJ Toa Payoh to learn about vertical farming. Learning alongside the students, the seniors pick up horticultural skills such as seeding and harvesting, and bond over these hands-on activities.

Seniors from our Active Ageing Centres in the west dance to music and heartwarming songs alongside students at Hua Yi Secondary School at their annual Musical Montage. Our talented seniors, who are part of the main cast, join rehearsals as early as four months before the actual performance.

Seniors pair up with preschoolers by matching one ‘grandparent’ to one to two ‘grandchildren’. Together, they engage in expressive activities such as storytelling, crafting, games, exercises and sing-alongs. As part of our partnership with National Museum of Singapore, the pairs have also completed guided tours and art activities at the Museum, where they bonded over their shared interest for national history and identity.

Mdm Quek and Arthur Leong are two volunteers who have fostered inter-generational bonding by sharing their creative passions.

Mdm Quek, a retired teacher, has a passion for storytelling. Through her captivating storytelling sessions, children discover the magic of imagination and learning.

Arthur Leong is a young volunteer who was recognised in the “Inspirational Partner” category at the 2024 Singapore Health Inspirational Patient and Caregiver Awards (IPCA) for his dedication to volunteering with seniors. His efforts include tailoring cognitive games such as table-top puzzles to each senior to enhance their mental stimulation.

In the annual Inter-centre Sports tournament, seniors team up and come together to compete in modified sports, such as badminton and floorball, with enthusiastic support from students from Nanyang Girls’ High School. The seniors participate in months of training, rediscovering the thrill of competition, and renewing an appreciation for active living.

Seniors from our Active Ageing Centre (Care) (Jurong Central Plaza) pick up a new sport, dragon boating, from students from National Junior College (NJC)’s Canoeing and Dragon Boat Team and learn about teamwork and resilience from a fun day out in the sun.

Students from the Diploma in Sport & Wellness Management at Nanyang Polytechnic run a series of fun activities at our Day Centres for Seniors. These include modified sports and adapted table-top games designed to get everyone moving. These sessions not only promote physical activity but also create opportunities for students and seniors to connect and share joyful moments through play.