9 Lesser-Known Volunteering Opportunities

Novel Ways to Make a Difference: 9 Unique Volunteering Opportunities

Are you looking to give back in new ways? There are plenty of volunteering opportunities out there, though some are more well-known than others. Challenge suggests nine unique avenues where you can volunteer your time.

When we hear the term “volunteering”, do you picture visits to aged homes, participating in charity fundraisers, or packing welfare packs for the needy? There are many other ways to volunteer. Here are a few opportunities to consider.

The Appropriate Adult Scheme for Young Suspects (AASYS) is a volunteering service that assigns volunteers to accompany and support suspects under the age of 16.

1. Support Youth at Risk: Appropriate Adult Scheme for Young Suspects

The Appropriate Adult Scheme for Young Suspects (AASYS) is a volunteering service provided by the Singapore Children’s Society that assigns volunteers to accompany and support suspects under the age of 16.

As an AASYS volunteer, your primary responsibility will be to facilitate communication between the young suspect and the officer. Additionally, you will be on the lookout for signs of distress and provide emotional support to the youth.

Interested applicants above the age of 21 can send an email indicating their interest to aays@childrensociety.org.sg

2. Care For Animals: Hope Dog Rescue

If you love dogs and have the capacity to care for them, consider volunteering for Hope Dog Rescue. The non-profit volunteering organisation matches rescue dogs with foster homes, and provides them with the love and care they need before they are adopted into their forever homes. As a foster owner, you will play a crucial role in the dog’s life by providing them with a safe and nurturing environment.

Find out if you have what it takes to become a foster owner here.

To indicate your interest, fill in this form.

3. Aid the Elderly in Need: ACES HelpLife

If you are a senior who wishes to make an active difference in your community, consider volunteering at ACES HelpLife. Its volunteers play a vital role in running a helpline dedicated to assisting other seniors in need. Responsibilities include responding to seniors' calls for assistance to fix medical appointments, delivering food, and dealing with emergencies.

Older adults who are interested may apply by calling the helpline at 6797 6797 or emailing contact@acescare.sg.

4. Uplift Lower-Income Families: Project Hills

Project Hills is a ground-up initiative that supports less privileged families living in rental estates. As a volunteer, you will assist with the packing and distribution of food, house cleaning and other outreach efforts to uplift these families.

Anyone can volunteer – keep a lookout for opportunities on their social media or website.

If helping less privileged families is a cause you’re passionate about, here’s another opportunity to consider:

Community Link (ComLink): A volunteering initiative by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), ComLink partners families to achieve stability, self-reliance, and social mobility. Find out more about ComLink.

5. Protect the Environment: Waterways Watch Society

Looking for a way to stay active while caring for the environment? As a patrol volunteer at the Waterways Watch Society, you will have the opportunity to clean up Singapore’s waterways on foot, bike, pedal boat or boat. While you pick litter, you’ll also learn more about Singapore’s water and wildlife, and the importance of keeping our environment clean.

Volunteers should have basic proficiency in cycling or kayaking. Interested applicants may apply through this form.

By being a volunteer mentor at Aidha, you can make a meaningful difference by imparting your knowledge and empowering them to take control of their finances.

6. Empower Foreign Domestic Workers: Aidha

Many foreign domestic workers make the difficult decision to leave their families behind to work in Singapore. Yet, many of these women lack the knowledge and skills to manage their savings effectively. By being a volunteer mentor at Aidha, you can make a meaningful difference by imparting your knowledge and empowering them to take control of their finances.

Read more about the required experiences for the mentor role required here, before registering to join the volunteer orientation programme.

As a volunteer, you can be a supportive and mentoring figure to help these individuals navigate the challenges of reintegration.

7. Befriend and Mentor Offenders: Singapore Prison Service Befriender

Did you know that 1 in 5 offenders commit offences within two years of their release? The reality is that many offenders lack a proper support system that can help them reintegrate with society. As a volunteer, you can be a supportive and mentoring figure to help these individuals navigate the challenges of reintegration.

Interested applicants should be at least 21 years old. Sign up here.

As an SOS volunteer, your empathy and time would help a struggling individual feel heard, and even help to save a life.

8. Be a Listening Ear: SOS Care Text

The Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) is a crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline. In recent years, SOS has also established its Care Text service, which offers emotional support to those in need through text messaging. As an SOS volunteer, your empathy and time would help a struggling individual feel heard, and even help to save a life.

Want to help? Fill in the SOS volunteer application form here. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed to assess their suitability.

At The Astronauts Collective, you can make a difference by providing youths with the resources and advice to shape their futures.

9. Guide Youths To Find Their Path: The Astronauts Collective

Many youths seek mentorship to guide them in their career paths but lack access to such figures. At The Astronauts Collective, you can make a difference by providing youths with the resources and advice to shape their futures. Volunteers offer career guidance by running job tasters, being a human book, or serving as a mentor.

Learn more about The Astronauts Collective – any working professional may apply.

For Public Officers: Public Service For Good

If you would like to use your skills to serve other beyond your work, join the Public Service For Good movement. Public officers can use up to 40 hours a year on developmental activities, including volunteering. Find out more here (intranet only).

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