Restorative Neighbourhoods

To nurture neighbourhoods which adopt a restorative problem-solving approach that emphasise involvement and cooperation among family members, friends, and volunteers. We will form strategic partnerships with grassroots organisations, the police, schools, healthcare providers and other stakeholders to bring about a restorative climate.

The crux of restorative practices is the restoration of positive relationships among people, which is an important resource for issues such as crime, conflict, marginalisation as well as health challenges resulting from social determinants.

Investing in local leaders who have the mandate from their community to effect changes.

  • 6 fellows from 3 neighbourhoods elected
  • 4 projects addressing neighbourhood health concerns; older persons at risk of
    isolation; supporting families with milk, diapers and other practical support
  • 8 Capacity & Capability Training Sessions completed
  • 35 local volunteers involved
  • 113 participants involved in community events

Recognising members who support our community development efforts as valuable assets.

9 Community Enablers oversaw the following programmes:

  • Learning programmes: 113 children
  • Monthly Savings (Tabung): 200 children
  • Distribution of food & essentials: 100 families
  • Learn & Earn activities: 20 mothers
  • The Community Theatre: 45 youths

Building the capabilities and capacity of communities based on the view  that “health” and “care” provided by family and friends are an important protective factor against social determinants of health.

Self-organised, resident-led Groups set up:

  • Benefited over 540 residents across 13 rental blocks in 2 neighbourhoods
  • Active group “ Healthy You & Me”, comprising 8 leaders and 33 members; website launched
  • Neighbours looked out for each other’s health and wellbeing

Skills Acquired

  • 60 residents learned to monitor own blood pressure; 7 gained competency to
    train others how to use the kit;
  • 30 children taught eyecare, dental & general wellbeing health
  • 1 resident trained as a SingHealth ESTHER-Network Person-Centred carer
  • Breathwork & Mindfulness workshop; Mental health photovoice workshop for youths

Enabling a community that takes ownership in preventing sexual violence.

  • 67 residents pledged to support efforts to keep their neighbourhood safe
  • 5 mothers offered their homes as safe houses
  • 10 parents and 8 youths underwent training in bystander intervention training
  • Community watch group formed; Support groups for girls, boys and mothers established
  • Conversations on how parents can talk to their children about sexual safety held
  • Continued partnership with Whampoa FSC in support of the initiative

 Youth Voluntarism 

Social and recreation activities provide a context for holistic non-formal education where youth pick up life and leadership skills from the experience and the presence of caring adults.

We encourage voluntarism among youth with a view of nurturing community leaders for the longer run. Youths are challenged to co-create the neighbourhood they would like to live in as well as to self-organise around issues that matter to them or simply what they care about.

Safe and brave space for youth mental health; co-created and led by youth for mutual support and assistance.

Social support & mutual aid

  • WhatsApp Group formed connecting and engaging 20 youths

Learning

  • Youths deepened understanding of trauma and acquired self-regulation techniques over 10 sessions, including mindfulness walks and workshops.
  • All youth have gained confidence in giving emotional support to peers
    and became more receptive to receiving help from external field experts.

Students from institutions of higher learning who share resources, encourage each other, and serve as role models for children in their neighbourhoods.

  • Peer support group has grown to 25 youth members who have identified strongly with the group’s purpose.
  • Organized Human Library; peer tutoring; explored financial literacy support of the initiative.

Using theatre craft as a medium to engage and activate neighbours to understand and act on their shared challenges.

  • Reached out to 45 youths in the neighbourhood
  • Core group comprising of 15 members emerged, led by a youth who was a former participant
  • A forum theatre performance showcased in May 2023 

Youth-led social network that enhances employability among members.

  • 30 youth assisted with the study of work-related challenges faced by low-income youth in Singapore. The study surfaced their challenges, aspirations, and motivations among low-income youth securing work in Singapore.
  • Completed study will help to generate further conversations around work

Facilitating participation in sports, arts, and other activity-based experiential learning programmes.

  • Expenses for sports and outdoor events: $4,524

 

 Culture of Learning 

We want to impress on parents that all children can learn and that their families and the community play an important role in encouraging their progress. We will work together with strategic partners and volunteers to provide learning activities, facilitate family involvement, and celebrate learning achievements of the community. 

Our role is to help young people and their families discover their motivation to learn and to support them to act on it.

Early childhood programme for children whose developmental and learning needs have been hindered by their social disadvantages.

  • Served a total of 33 infants and preschoolers
  • All eligible children signed up for a Child Development Account (CDA) collecting $4,448 from the children, as of 31 Dec 2022. Together with matching grants, a total of $26,685 was contributed towards their CDA

Facilitating initiatives that promote digital inclusion for an individual, family or a community.

  • 25 Laptops distributed
  • 41 Broadband sponsored/subsidised
  • Community Printers housed at 4 households
  • 2 Void Deck WiFi set up

Enabling children, youth and adults to further their education and skills.

  • Community Tabung: 248
  • School Expenses: 65 Children & Youth
  • Skills Upgrading: 1 Adult

 Livelihood Opportunities

Economic success reduces isolation and caregivers who are gainfully employed are more likely to meet basic needs of children and youths in their households. As such, where we can, we link members to resources, programmes and relationships that enable them to secure employment. 

However, with several employment matching programmes and agencies having dedicated resources to fulfil this role, we focus on providing those who are unable to hold down fulltime employment because of caregiving responsibilities and other reasons, opportunities to hone their skills for a livelihood.

A “learn and earn” programme where mothers secure a food handling licence, learn baking skills, and draw an income by participating in seasonal baking projects supported mainly by our corporate social responsibility partners. 

  • Introduced training in non-violent communication and sociocracy in direction of self-governance
  • Seasonal orders amounting to $70,500
  • Strong relationships with long time corporate partners ensured continued support and more orders 

A “learn and earn” programme for those with sewing skills or an interest in sewing for income generation.

  • Skills training in baking; food hygiene; sewing techniques
  • Confidence gained through hands-on experience selling their products
  • Training in non-violent communication and sociocracy in direction of self-governance

 Family Stability

Families are strong and stable when breadwinners achieve economic success, relationships among members are mutually nurturing and there is a sense of support from the community. Hence, we encourage families to address issues that may disrupt aspects of stability. We facilitate decision-making in a peaceable way where relationships are restored and strengthened among members, extended family, and friends.

Mutual help among lower-income facilitated by information and opportunities around their skills, interest & motivations

   • 5 circles eventually reduced to 4 Circles with 28 regular members
   • Cohort analysis based on Dec 21 to Nov 22 period data:
            i. Household income (excluding CPF)
                • 34% increase in median income
                • 25% increase in mean income
            ii. Total cumulative savings
                • 100% increase in median savings
                • 82% increase in mean savings
            iii. Debt
                • 27% decrease in median debt
                • 11% decrease in mean debt

Providing a sense of stability for families who are over-stressed, undersupported and experiencing financial hardship

   • Short-term financial assistance: 38 families
   • Food & Essentials: 2,524 families
   • Total amount disbursed: $311,881