More than 16,000 seniors in Singapore will be able to join a programme — Channel NewsAsia
In Singapore, more than 16,000 seniors will be able to take part in sports, social and digital activities under Harmony, a new active ageing programme by Methodist Welfare Services (MWS). As reported by Channel NewsAsia, the initiative will guide the work of the charity’s seven active ageing centres.
The programme focuses on maintaining social connections, physical activity, cognitive development and empowering seniors. According to MWS Director of Healthcare Services Raymond Leong, the framework is intended to ensure a unified approach across all centres while allowing visitors to choose activities based on their own interests.
Sports and social gatherings
Harmony was developed together with staff and senior visitors at the centres. It includes three main areas: adaptive sports for people with different physical abilities, monthly social gatherings, and activities for older men, who may be more prone to social isolation.
Since 2023, the MWS centre in Sims Place has held weekly Men-Only Happy Hour sessions. Older men socialise there over coffee and snacks, play games and exercise. One participant, 70-year-old retiree Thomas Chung, later became a volunteer and helps lead short exercise sessions, including activities involving tapping out rhythms to music.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Adaptive activities
MWS adaptive sports programmes provide modified activity formats so that people with different physical abilities can participate. During the first Senior Olympics Day, held by the organisation on 1 October at Fernvale Community Centre, around 280 participants tried bocce, seated volleyball, beanbag tossing and drone football, and also learned about artificial intelligence.
Other adaptive sports available at MWS include boccia, badminton and basketball. Another initiative, Ling Ling Time, has operated at the Sims Place and Kebun Baru centres since 2024: senior volunteers help plan monthly exercises, cognitive games and shared meals.
It is projected that by 2030, one in four Singapore citizens will be aged 65 or older. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Ng Chee Meng said that support for the older population should include not only healthcare, but also opportunities for social activity and making new acquaintances.
