If you’re a like-minded student who enjoys volunteer work, why not spend some time volunteering during the summer holidays?
At the same time, you can also rack up your Values-In-Action (VIA) or Community Involvement Programme (CIP) hours – which you are required to contribute at least 6 hours per school year anyway – with certain organisations.
With more than 2,000 charities in Singapore, it’s down to figuring out which causes suits you best. From interacting with elderly, migrant workers, children to supporting environmental causes, here are 13 places students can volunteer at during their summer vacation.
Read Also: How Much Can You Earn Working In Social Services: An Insider’s Perspective
#1 Willing Hearts
Willing Hearts is an independent charity food drive which distributes about 7,000 meals daily to the vulnerable and underprivileged community in Singapore. Volunteers are welcomed to help in the soup kitchen by preparing ingredients, packing lunch boxes, cleaning and offering general assistance.
Address: 1 Lorong J Telok Kurau, Singapore 425792
Opening hours: Daily, 5am to 5pm
Minimum age requirement: NIL
Apply here.
#2 Food From The Heart
Food From The Heart is an independent non-profit food charity organisation which provides a sustainable supply of food to the less fortunate in Singapore, especially with rising inflation costs. Volunteer your time and effort through the various programmes offered from sorting and packing food essentials, helping out at events or even organising self-initiated food drives and organising fundraisers.
Address: 130 Joo Seng Road, #03-01, Singapore 368357
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Minimum age requirement: NIL
Apply here.
#3 Krsna’s Free Meals
Take this chance to give back to the migrant worker community in Singapore through this soup kitchen. Krsna’s Free Meals serves breakfast and lunch meals to migrant workers in need. Volunteers do not need any cooking experience and will generally help in the preparing of vegetables, serving of meals and cleaning.
Address: 16 Veerasamy Road, Singapore 207324
Opening hours: Daily, 6.30am to 9am /11am to 2.30pm
Minimum age requirement: 10
Apply here.
#4 ItsRainingRaincoats
Another way to support and improve the lives of migrant at ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR) charity organisation. IRR has a dedicated youth wing, NextGen which you can join through internships, teacher-led initiatives or as a project volunteer. Mentors will be provided to help you through the volunteering process. Have a special talent or skill? Share it through the various programmes available such as ‘Groove For Good’ which offers free guitar lessons to migrant workers. ‘Makan with Migrant Workers’ is another initiative which encourages locals to bond with migrant workers over a meal.
Address: 470 Upper Payar Lebar Road, Singapore 534235
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 5pm
Minimum age requirement: NIL
Apply here or Whatsapp +65 81018187
#5 Singapore Red Cross
Singapore Red Cross is familiar to many as a CCA in schools, but this organisation goes far and beyond as the biggest humanitarian network in Singapore. Besides rendering assistance to those in need, you can also build up leadership skills through the training sessions provided. Youth volunteers can volunteer their time and effort in fundraising efforts and blood drives.
Address: (Headquarters) 15 Penang Lane, Red Cross house, Singapore 238486
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm
Minimum age requirement: Youth volunteers, 9 to 35
Apply here.
#6 Touch Community services
Touch Community Services is a non-profit charity organisation that supports various vulnerable communities in Singapore. Volunteers can choose between the various programmes offered but be sure to check for any age requirements. Currently, there are openings for volunteer children mentors and meal runners for Touch’s ‘Meal-on-Wheels’ programme which is a meal delivery programme for home-bound elderly.
Address: Blk 162 Bukit Merah Central #05-3545, Singapore 150162
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Minimum age requirement: 13 to 17, parental consent is required. An accompanying adult has to be present for students younger than 13 years old.
Apply here.
#7 The Salvation Army
Donating items during festive seasons at The Salvation Army is a familiar concept to most. The Salvation Army also offers various volunteer programmes which you’ll get to choose according to your specific interests and skills. Get to volunteer at nursing homes or become a Youth Befriender to disadvantaged youths, children and foster families. For a more hands-on experience, you can also volunteer your time and effort by sorting and packing donated items or by upkeeping The Salvation Army’s Family stores.
Address: (Headquarters) 20 Bishan Street 22, Singapore 579768
Opening hours: Daily, 7am to 9pm
Minimum age requirement: 16, with some exceptions based on activities.
Apply here.
#8 The National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation aims to support and provide a nurturing environment for kidney patients undergoing dialysis. Volunteers can choose between several volunteering programmes. Be a listening ear and get to know the patients through befriending sessions at various Dialysis centres island wide. You can also lift the moods of the patients by organising an outing for the patients with the ‘Patient’s Day Out’ programme. Share your skills and enrich the lives of the patients by sharing your hobbies and passions through enrichment programmes.
Address: 81 Kim Keat Road, Singapore 328836
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday (8.30am to 6pm), Fridays (8.30am to 5pm)
Minimum age requirement: 13, parental consent is required.
Apply here.
#9 Lions Home For The Elders
Lions Home For The Elders is a non-profit organisation offering rehabilitation and care giving services to the elderly community in Singapore. Volunteers, old and young are welcomed to lend a listening ear and build lasting friendships with the elderly folks. Volunteers can also organise simple song and dance performances, share some local traditional delicacies and pack goodie bags for them. However, be sure to contact an available volunteer coordinator to check for unacceptable food or items.
Address: 9 Bishan Street 13, Singapore 579804
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm
Minimum age requirement: NIL
Apply here.
#10 Ronald McDonald House Charities
Did you that with every order of Mcdonald’s Happy Meals, you donate five cents to Ronald McDonalds House Charities (RMHC)? These donations go towards improving the lives and provide a nurturing environment for critically ill children in Singapore. As a volunteer at RMHC, you can lend your time and support to parent and child by paying visits to paediatric wards at National University Hospital (NUH) and the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). To bring a smile to their faces, you can also pack a Happy Snack Pack which acts as an energy booster for children receiving treatment.
Address: 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Minimum age requirement: 16
Apply here.
#11 Riding For The Disabled Association
Riding For The Disabled Association is the only charity organisation in Singapore providing horse riding therapeutic sessions for disabled adults and children. Horse riding increases self-confidence, motor skills and develops social skills. Not to mention bonding with the friendly equestrians provides beneficiaries with an uplifting experience. Volunteers will start of as side-walkers, providing emotional support and physical assistance while interacting with the beneficiaries. Training will be provided.
Address: RDA Centre, 5 Jalan Mashhor, Singapore 299174
Opening hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 5.30pm), Saturday (9am to 12.30pm)
Minimum age requirement: 16, parental consent is required.
Apply here.
#12 Causes For Animals Singapore
Here’s one for animal lovers. Causes for Animals Singapore (CAS) is an animal welfare charity which provides a nurturing environment for local stray dogs and cats. Entirely run by volunteers, this charity is actively looking out for new volunteers. Interested volunteers can look forward to joining the publicity team as photographers, graphic designers or writers to help spread the cause. Volunteers above the age of 16 can volunteer their time as weekday adoption centre volunteers. Get to bond with the adorable and friendly dogs by showering and taking them on walks. Other tasks vary on a daily basis.
Address: 59 Sungei Tengah Road, The Animal Lodge, Singapore 699014
Opening hours: By appointment basis, email: [email protected]
Minimum age requirement: 17
Apply here.
#13 Waterways Watch Society
Help keep Singapore’s waterways clean at Waterways Watch Society (WWS), a non-profit organisation promoting the conservation of the environment and waterways in Singapore. Volunteers can adopt roles such as a patrol volunteer where you can patrol parks on bicycles or kayak your way through waterways to pick out litter or report any unusual issues. General volunteers are also welcomed to assist in housekeeping matters, gardening and the maintenance of equipment.
Address: 4876 Beach Road, Singapore 199587
Opening hours: Monday to Friday (10am to 6pm), Weekends (10am to 2pm)
Minimum age requirement: NIL
Apply here.
