Manulife US Reit engages seniors in leather crafts

Singapore

SOCIAL distancing has not kept Manulife US Real Estate Investment Trust (MUST) from engaging with its elderly beneficiaries.

On Sept 2, MUST partnered Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Senior Activity Centres for the fourth time, and organised a hands-on virtual leather crafting workshop for socially isolated seniors.

It was a company-wide event, with all MUST employees in Singapore taking part. During the session, the 40 participants were introduced to the basics of leather crafting, and they learnt how to use the tools to craft a leather key fob and coin pouch for themselves.

Helena Tan, 73, member of MWS Senior Activity Centre - Golden Lily@Pasir Ris, said: "It was my first experience with leather crafting. At first, I wasn't confident I could make the leather coin pouch or keychain holder. But with the facilitator's guidance, I managed to do so. I am grateful that I learnt a new skill and I enjoyed the workshop thoroughly."

Jill Smith, CEO of the manager of the Reit, said: "This was a very meaningful session for all the workshop participants, including the entire MUST team, as they not only built closer bonds with one another amid these ongoing physically distanced times, they also showed care and brought warmth to others in need...

"Apart from the CSR activities organised by MUST, all employees are encouraged to take two days of paid volunteer leave per year. The pandemic... heightens the need to reinforce the fabric of society as we address the fault lines that Covid-19 has brought to the fore."

MUST has identified the elderly as one of its main target groups for local community outreach. Therefore, many of its CSR programmes have centred on elderly engagement, dovetailing with MWS's care for the socially isolated seniors.

MWS adopts a strength-based approach towards caring for the pre-frail seniors it serves at its Senior Activity Centres, encouraging seniors to tap their interests and abilities to proactively co-manage their own well-being.

Beryl Ng, cluster director, MWS Community Eldercare Services, said: "While the activities themselves have been interesting for our seniors, it is the warmth and companionship the employees offer that really touch them and leave a lasting impact on their mental well-being. We hope the circumstances will allow us to resume in-person programmes soon, as our seniors look forward to seeing the familiar faces again."