Hope comes from being able to see light in the darkness. Through the Tote Board Social Service Fund (TBSSF), we support a wide range of social service programmes that serve and empower individuals and families in need. The stories of Charlie* and Cheryl are testament to how individuals, given positive interventions in the community, can move forward out of darkness into a new hope
Charlie: A Story of Overcoming
Six years ago, Charlie* was in a dark place. He had thoughts of self-harm, and was almost completely disconnected from society. When he was referred to SAMH YouthReach, his mental and physical health were both in bad shape. He rarely attended school, had no friends and was even bedridden for a period of time.
YouthReach is a psychosocial support and recovery programme offered by the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH YouthReach). It provides help for youths who struggle with emotional, psychological and psychiatric challenges in the community. The programme is one of the many social services funded by the TBSSF, which supports individuals like Charlie.
“My caseworker taught me life skills, from something simple like setting reminders for appointments, to coping with intrusive thoughts,” said Charlie. “When I talked to other youths like me who are in the programme, I also learned communication skills and became more confident to start interacting with new people.”
Since joining SAMH YouthReach, Charlie has developed an interest in exercise and outdoor activities. “Experiencing sunlight on my skin again is a blessing.”
Now, Charlie is well on his way to recovery. He is better equipped to deal with mental health stressors, able to be meaningfully employed, and feels much more confident about his future.
Charlie expresses his creativity through an art activity.
Cheryl Tan: A Journey of Perseverance
Cheryl Tan’s job seeking journey was an endless series of disappointments. Not only did she face a difficult job market, several potential employers who responded to her job applications were reluctant to hire her after knowing about her condition.
Cheryl was diagnosed with relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis in 2015. Her condition worsened, and in 2019, she was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, which required her to use a motorised wheelchair. After leaving her job as a patient service associate, she faced multiple rejections in her job search but remained determined to explore various avenues to find employment.
It was then that Cheryl chanced upon the SPD Employment Support Programme, funded under the TBSSF. She was pleasantly surprised to find that her job coach was invested in understanding her strengths and interests, rather than just helping her land any job that came her way. Together, they worked towards finding a job that was enjoyable for Cheryl, and which came with an inclusive and accommodative employer.
Today, Cheryl works as a Customer Experience Inclusivity Officer at Tower Transit Singapore, a public transport operator. She finds it a meaningful job that allows her to meet new people and learn new things — all on a flexible work schedule. She also conducts public inclusivity courses to help others understand the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and mobility challenges on board a bus, so as to foster a more caring and inclusive commuting culture.
“My work allows me to give back to society and help other persons with disabilities. It has inspired me to think about how I can make Singapore a better place for all, even beyond work.”
As a Customer Experience Inclusivity Officer, Cheryl contributes to a smoother transit by providing assistance in wayfinding and crowd control for passengers at the Yishun Integrated Transport Hub.
* Name changed for privacy
