“My family is the main driving force in my life. They are very supportive when I decide to volunteer or pick up new skills.” - Mdm Lim Suan Heoh, 63

"As I live my life actively with a whole new mindset, it has made me more resilient. I also feel happier and more fulfilled now,"

I’ve always wanted to bring joy to the elderly with my talent. So, as long as they are happy, I feel very fulfilled and satisfied.

I’ve made a lot of new friends and expanded my social circle. [In addition to providing makeup services,] we would rehearse and sing and dance together, and present entertainment programmes in nursing homes. Sometimes we would go to nursing homes to chat and joke with the elderly. I am really very happy to be able to bring joy to the elderly.

It didn't take long before I started to feel that I should devote my time to contribute back to the community instead of spending 24 hours on myself. That would make my life more meaningful.

Many of us are moving towards digital (services) today as it is a good alternative to minimise social interactions during the pandemic. It is therefore good for me to keep up with the times.

You will discover that going digital not only provides convenience to our daily activities, but it also ultimately improves our quality of life.

Lifelong learning is important because it helps keep me and my mother mentally and physically active, and allow us to enjoy the things that we like doing.

Volunteering makes me feel young at heart because I’m hanging out with the younger generation and it gives me the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life.

We attend the same courses so that my wife and I can discuss and provide suggestions to each other, building a closer relationship. In addition, we can help each other when we encounter any difficulties during the course.

Not only do I get to learn new skills, I also get to meet like-minded people.

When beneficiaries feel happy with our companionship, we as volunteers also gain in intangible ways.

Volunteering provides me with a sense of fulfilment and keeps me connected to society, even after retirement. I believe that learning never stops. I am humbled to receive as much as I give back to society.

Since I have much free time in my retirement years, I would like to make use of it to pick up different skills. Some of these skills that I learnt have also helped me in my volunteering journey!

Just by sacrificing a bit of my family time, I have been able to be a blessing to others in way that I couldn’t previously imagine. I am truly grateful for this.

When we were younger, we were busy with work and struggled to find time to attend classes. Now that we have retired, this is the best time to learn something new and expand our knowledge. Just go for it!

The world is constantly changing; there’s plenty of new knowledge we can acquire even at our age.

Equipping seniors with digital skills to go cashless

Now that I have learnt Chinese, I understand my roots better. Besides that, learning Mandarin can also help to keep my mind stimulated, boosting my intellectual wellness.

I enjoy acquiring new skills. Having the knowledge to impart to other seniors in the community is such a great joy to me. It’s like my life has just begun.

I am treating it as a ‘rehearsal’ before I retire. This (circuit breaker) period gave me an opportunity to see how I can cope and stay active at home and I am happy to say that I don’t find it hard to adjust to this new routine.

Semi-retired from the IT industry, 56-year-old Mr Ang Eng Siong was motivated to learn more about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on how it can benefit himself and his loved ones, as well as being able to make use of TCM to help others in need.

Having worked in the newspaper editorial industry for more than 40 years, after his retirement, Mr Ng had a desire to pursue his childhood interest and what he had always wanted to do.

Currently working full-time in the manufacturing industry, 60-year-old Mdm Tan Lai Fong decided that she did not want to wait till retirement to discover her true passion in life.

If we are willing to be open-minded to try new experiences and hone new skills, we will discover so much more potential about ourselves than we ever knew.

I have gained many positive things by volunteering and giving back such as developing more compassion and patience towards others and in return receiving love and friendship from staffs and other seniors.

It was at that moment, I realised I had made the right decision to volunteer.

Retired software engineer Mr Sng Aik Pong, 65, finds himself living a more fulfilling life after retirement, and had signed up for a variety of courses, which enabled him to gain new learning experiences.

Witnessing how mobile phones have become incredibly advanced in just a relatively short period of time, 73-year-old Mr Winston Sum concluded that it was essential for him to learn how to maximise the use of his smartphone.

Mr Anthony Goh Tee Kow may be 82 years old this year, but his mind remains as sharp as ever. Although retired, he currently keeps himself busy with reading and learning new things.

Joining the sunshine industry
Being a legal secretariat for 35 years, 74-year-old Mr Chan Seng Wee was thinking of what to do next after his retirement.

62-year-old Mdm Saroja has always been a curious individual. Simply knowing the basic functions of a smartphone wasn’t enough for Mdm Saroja’s inquisitiveness.

I learnt to communicate better and be more patient and understanding towards my family and friends.
It was a memorable experience for 65-year-old Madam Susan Teo when she dressed up as Marilyn Monroe at her Chingay gig last year. After all, her passion for the arts and learning is undeniable.

Ms Rebecca Tan, 60, had always like animals since young and wanted to be a veterinarian. However, due to her family’s financial situation, she had to start work after completing secondary school and was unable to pursue her dream job.

Dr Tan Thiam Soon is a strong advocate of lifelong learning and its benefits. A retired NUS professor, the 75-year-old has a wealth of teaching experience under his belt.

Minds are like parachutes. They only function when they are open.―James Dewar
This quote resonates strongly with Mr Lee Ah Kow’s life philosophy, whom at 81 years old, is still leading an active and fulfilling lifestyle.

Helping others makes them happy and that makes me happy too.
Having worked for several years, Mdm Jong Syn Chun felt that it was time for her to take a break. The formal aerospace executive decided to retire and engage in activities that she was interested in.

Knowing how to manage your finances and having a good understanding on financial matters is becoming increasingly vital in today’s fast-advancing world.

I have reached the stage where I realised there’s more to life than just working and I want to help the less fortunate within my abilities.
Seeking fulfilment in life, realising that there is more to life than working,

Learning a new language in her silver years
Despite identifying as ethnically Chinese, Ms Tracy Heng did not have proficiency in her mother tongue. Since young, her family predominantly communicated in Teochew and the children were English educated.

Passionate about sewing
Florence has always been passionate about sewing and making clothes. So when she visited the National Silver Academy (NSA) website and came upon the Fashion Design and Textiles Pattern Making and Sewing:

Age is not an issue when it comes to learning
Gency Ong has been a diligent housewife for 17 years, taking care of her family before she re-joined the workforce in 2013 after obtaining a certificate in social service.

Retirement is not a phase of life that we should feel apprehensive towards. Given proper planning and a positive attitude, senior years can be both fulfilling and empowering.

While art can serve many different purposes and functions, Fiona Tham uses art in an interesting manner - to understand herself better.
Fiona, 51, managed to learn how by attending the ‘Exploring Art Therapy’, a short course conducted by LaSalle College of the Arts under the National Silver Academy (NSA).

When Teresa Chin had a heart bypass surgery in 2004, she struggled in her recovery.
One of the side effects of her heart medication caused her hands to tremble so much, she had trouble gripping a pen.

Ms Tan Guek Kew, 61, overcame depression and is now happy to live life to the fullest. She took up the Transformation course at the age of 60. Today she has become a cheerful lady who thinks positively, presents confidently to fellow senior volunteers in the community,

Age is no barrier. You can do anything you want if you have the right mindset. Just believe in yourself.
She is, currently, the chairperson in the Indian Activity Executive Committee at West Coast CC.

Mr Tan felt that his physical and emotional health have both improved since he started the Community Befriending Programme.

Having moved to Commonwealth only in February 2016, this programme had certainly widened Madam Ratty’s social circle in her new community.

Since I still have the ability, I should help the others.

I enjoy being a volunteer. Many people just need someone to talk to, and it is good to see what I can do for them.

Madam Ng Geok Thuay and Madam Wong Yoke Hun, both 64, are not only friends but also volunteers from the Community Befriending Programme under Presbyterian Community Services.