Agnes Chiew
Spreading Love and Kindness through Volunteering
Homemaker
Volunteer Leader with SCH
My volunteering journey began in 2013. My brother fell sick that year, and watching him suffer motivated me to find out how I could help. My search led me to Bright Vision Community Hospital, where I served as a volunteer until 2019. I paused any volunteering work during the COVID-19 period and resumed again in 2022 at Outram Community Hospital (OCH).
Today, I volunteer with several organisations, spending about eight hours each week at OCH. No matter where I serve, my aim is simple: I hope that by volunteering I can spread love and kindness to help patients temporarily forget their illness and feel happy.
At OCH, we spend time playing games such as Rummy-O and mahjong, and I encourage patients to join Variety Hour, where we sing karaoke together. Some patients hesitate at first but I gently encourage them to try. It brings me joy to see their faces light up when they win a small prize, or when they find confidence in singing along.
Twice a month, I also help organise the OCH haircut service. A simple haircut can make a big difference, helping patients feel more comfortable and cared for when they are unable to manage haircuts themselves.
At times, my role is quieter. I sit with patients and listen as they share their thoughts and feelings. Often, what they need most is not advice, but someone who is willing to be present and listen.
Having been a patient myself after undergoing uterine and ovarian removal surgery in 2025, I understand how challenging recovery can be. This experience has deepened my empathy for those I serve.
I believe that even as I give, I receive. Through volunteering, I have learnt practical skills — from assisting with wheelchairs to supporting simple physiotherapy exercises. More importantly, I have learnt to treasure what truly matters: health, family and the value of time.
In 2025, I was appointed as a volunteer leader. I now support and guide new volunteers, helping them understand ward processes, patient safety, and the activities that patients enjoy. Whatever my role, I hope that my presence can offer comfort and reassurance, and help patients feel supported during their recovery journey.
Robert Perry Ho
Acceptance Over Denial / Building a Community of Support
Taxi Driver
Robert has always enjoyed being out and about interacting with people, whether with his passengers or through regular meetups with friends. This was his way of keeping in touch with what was going on in the world. That was why when he suffered a stroke in January 2025, and could no longer move about as freely as before, life became extra difficult for him.
His initial reaction after hearing about his stroke was a mix of disbelief and distress. For an active person like him, the stroke gave him a real sense of helplessness. But after coming to terms with his condition, Robert quickly accepted the situation and focused his energy on rehabilitation and recovery.
To deal with the weakness on the left side of his body, he was diligent with the exercises that the physiotherapist had prescribed to him to rebuild his strength. Beyond the physical aspects, the stroke had also affected his mind – he found it hard to vocalise his thoughts and would sometimes forget his own medical appointments. He would ask me and his close friends for help in keeping to his appointments.
Despite the struggles and frustrations that he faced, Robert refused to let his condition define him. Instead, he used his personal experience to become a source of hope for others. When he was physically able, he would volunteer with Sengkang Community Hospital or the Singapore National Stroke Association (SNSA) to offer companionship and emotional support to patients. One time, he even went the extra mile to send an amputee patient home.
I think what drove him to volunteer was his own experience as a patient. He was able to empathise with patients going through their lowest points, where he would cheer patients on to encourage and help them get through the difficult times. Through his interactions with fellow stroke patients such as at SNSA Befriender sessions, he was inspired by the strength of others to keep going. And because he benefitted from the peer support, he wanted to give back to the community through volunteering.
If you asked me to describe Robert, I would say he is an optimistic person – someone who is always chasing after his goals. I believe this is what drives him to recover fully, so that he can return to his former self and catch up with his loved ones.
Recounted by Althea Heng, wife of Robert Ho
Suzanne Goh
Choosing to See the Good
Pre-school Teacher
It started out like any other ordinary day. I was rushing to attend to a student in the pre-school I work in when I tripped over a cot and landed full force on my right knee. Before I knew it, I ended up in the hospital with a fractured knee and torn ligament.
The injury was severe and it was such a stressful time for me that I went through several bouts of depression and anxiety episodes. However, I was extremely grateful to my nurses and doctors who extended great kindness to me, making sure that I was well. Experiencing such care and consideration from the hospital staff really touched me and made me feel confident in my recovery.
As I had no caregiving arrangements at home, I spent almost three months recuperating at Outram Community Hospital (OCH). Despite my challenging personal circumstances, I decided to channel my energies instead towards making friends with the patients around me. I wanted to be there for others who, like me, felt alone.
To lift their spirits, I initiated bingo sessions and even learned how to play mahjong with them. After some time, I started receiving snacks and food from visitors who appreciated how I was looking out for their family members.
I also took the opportunity to make myself useful by helping the nurses put up Deepavali decorations. This was something I was quite good at doing due to my experience as a pre-school teacher.
Today, I continue to keep in touch with the people I met in OCH. One of them suffers from cancer and has a prognosis of one year to live. Having lost both my mum and legal guardian early on in my life to cancer, I wanted her to know that I can empathise with her. I encourage her to stay positive, and to keep in contact so that we can update one another about how we are doing.
Through this episode, I have learnt how to see the good out of an otherwise negative situation. It allowed me to slow down and focus on full recovery, both physically and emotionally, before I return to work.
The Late Noraidah Binte Hafid
Living the Best Life She Could
Former Occupation: Library Assistant
My late sister, Noraidah, was diagnosed with Lupus when she was just 16. In those early years, she was very ill and was constantly in and out of the hospital. Nevertheless, as the eldest sister, she resolved to put on a strong front because she did not want us to worry.
Around eight years after Noraidah’s diagnosis, things improved a little. She had established a regular dialysis routine and was able to hold a full-time job. However, as she needed to undergo dialysis thrice a week, she had to forego many things we often take for granted – such as going on holidays.
Despite her situation, Noraidah was a very gracious person and never complained. Whenever she was hospitalised, she refused to dwell on the pain, choosing instead to bring joy to those around her.
Over the course of her life, Noraidah committed to being the best daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She would always order food for Mum, text to check in on us and even buy surprise presents for her nephews and nieces.
Even when her condition began to deteriorate, Noraidah continued to stay independent and even organised her own wheelchair transportation arrangements to take her to her dialysis.
Wanting to use her life experiences to inspire others, she contributed to several projects that allowed her to tell her story. These included a windmill art installation containing some of her favourite inspirational quotes, and an e-book where she encouraged end-of-life patients to approach each day with much courage and passion. In the book, she shared how if she did not cry on a particular day, it was an achievement for her. That was how we also found out that even when she had to cry, she chose not to do so in front of us.
Today, whilst we are sad that Noraidah has left us, we take comfort in how her life impacted so many others. She touched everyone she met – from her family to the doctors and nurses in the hospital, and even the transport staff who affectionately called her "Mummy".
By living the best life she could, she made a lasting impact on all those around her. We are proud to call Noraidah our sister.
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