Five opportunities to volunteer and help others in December

2020 has been rough for everyone. However, if there is one positive to be had, it may be that the global pandemic has heightened our sense of social responsibility and that everyone truly has a part to play in society. 

With options to spend the time limited this year, this holiday season may be the perfect opportunity to kickstart a lifelong commitment to go further in our service to the community with these volunteer opportunities.

The only of its kind in Singapore, Make-A-Wish Singapore is motivated by the power of wishes. The organisation and its wish granters are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children with critical illnesses by granting their wishes. 

Those looking to be wish granters will have to commit to the entire wish journeys, which will be a fulfilling six to eight months. The organisation is also on the lookout for office, events and skill-based volunteers for their events and programmes. 

One of such is the annual Santa Run For Wishes event. This year’s edition will bring the charity fundraising run online, with the aim for participants to collectively cover 21517km (the distance from Singapore to the North Pole) from 2 to 19 December. 

Find out more about the event here, with more information on volunteer opportunities here.

The COVID-19 pandemic has reemphasised the need for conversations regarding mental health. Beyond The Label, a campaign by the National Council of Social Service, looks to reaffirm these conversations by advocating for the acceptance and inclusion of persons with mental health conditions. 

Those looking to join in the movement and play their part in reducing mental health stigma can do so as a Beyond the Label volunteer, helping out in its many events and programmes. Opportunities to create a more inclusive environment don’t stop there. 

Non-profit organisation Campus PSY focuses on youths in schools and workplaces, while the Silver Ribbon (Singapore) is another avenue for general support.

Part of an international organisation, Habitat for Humanity is a charity dedicated to helping low-income and elderly households to transform their living spaces into homes by decluttering and cleaning up houses. 

They have recently launched the #HomeThisChristmas campaign, looking to bring the holiday cheers to as many as they can. 

There are many ways to volunteer for the cause. Its key programme, Project HomeWorks, has rehabilitated up to 400 households a year since 2006, mainly with the help of volunteers. The organisation has recently put up a call for volunteers as part of its Christmas special.

The circuit breaker and COVID-19 have brought out both the best and worst in Singaporeans, especially with our attitudes towards transient workers. They have, by far, been the worst hit by the pandemic, and non-profit organisation Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) has been one of the key organisations in providing support through both advocacy and direct services.

Although the difficulties and challenges faced by transient workers are no longer in the headlines, that does not mean that the issues have disappeared. Volunteering for the TWC2 will mean continuing the organisation’s goal of improving conditions for these migrant workers, with various programmes and roles based around different skillsets and commitments.

Since 2014, Youth Corps Singapore has sought to empower youths eager to serve the community. The national institution champions youth volunteerism by providing opportunities through ad-hor, regular and project-based service projects. 

As long as you have the passion for community work, there are plenty of opportunities to make a difference with the Youth Corps Singapore regardless of your skill-set and period of commitment. 

Help seniors get up to date with technology through the Digital Learning Circles initiative or meet the needs of home-bound elderly through meal delivery programme Meals-on-Wheels. 

With the Youth Corps, you could even bring your service across borders with the Youth Expedition Project, which has recently moved online in lieu of the pandemic.

All these opportunities and more can be found here. For more information on Youth Corps Singapore, visit its website here.