Antica Foundation provides ex-offenders ‘gateway’ into eldercare work
The non-profit also has an initiative that deploys fall-detection sensors in seniors’ homes in a non-invasive way
[SINGAPORE] A senior activity centre that serves the needs of around 15 to 20 clients a day with free meals, daily activities and healthcare services in Bedok is currently run by five care staff – all of whom are ex-offenders.
Lucky Haven Senior Activity Centre is operated by Antica Foundation, a non-profit launched in December 2024 that focuses on social reintegration and ageing-in-place care.
It hires ex-offenders via Project Second Wings, with the centre catering to the needs of seniors living in the vicinity.
Leonard Ang, head of communications at Antica, said: “At the onset, people see these two groups – seniors and ex-offenders – as very different. We believe that more often than not, they are the ones who are marginalised in society and living in the shadows.”
He added that the founding team realised Antica could create an ecosystem where both groups could mutually benefit from each other’s companionship.
Project Second Wings
Antica aims to provide a “gateway” for ex-offenders into eldercare and healthcare, said Ang. It works with partners such as Architects of Life to access its talent pool, and does not take in those with a history of violent crimes.
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Jeremy Netto, head of social work at Antica, said: “We thought that since there is a ready pool, we can use this place to get ex-offenders into the healthcare and nursing industry.”
Its partners refer potential employees to Antica – some of them are looking for jobs or interested in upskilling, while others are already interested in healthcare. They can then be trained to become nurses or care staff.
Ang said: “When we look at jobs for ex-offenders, they either start off as cooks, delivery (riders) and logistics – very back-end, solo and hidden jobs. What we’re doing with Project Second Wings is defying this and putting them right on the frontlines.”
The aim is to change people’s mindsets about ex-offenders, who get a chance to build their confidence.
The seniors at Lucky Haven are aware that their care staff are ex-offenders but do not treat them any differently, emphasised Netto.
He said: “(The care staff) run this place on their own. They front it and make sure our elderly are taken care of.”
Goh Qiu Yan, Antica’s head of ops and transformation, said that the ex-offenders were initially apprehensive about joining, “but over time, we can see that their confidence has increased significantly”.
Antica is on track to meeting its target of hiring a total of seven ex-offenders as care staff by end-2025.
Project Guardian
Another key initiative that Antica runs is Project Guardian, which deploys smart fall-detection sensors in seniors’ homes.
Goh said: “If a senior falls, or if the sensor detects a potential fall, it sends a WhatsApp alert to a list called Angels – like their next of kin, neighbour or the staff here. They will have to respond to these alerts, and if need be, our care staff can also visit them personally.”
Many homes in Bedok were built in the 1970s and have steps or ledges inside, which pose danger to the seniors, Netta noted. The team will visit a senior’s home to determine where the highest risk is and place the sensor there.
While some are wary about privacy concerns, the device has no cameras or microphones and is non-intrusive.
Word-of-mouth has helped to increase uptake of the device.
Antica has installed the device in 60 households so far, and aims to raise that figure to 100 households by end-2025.
Tackling social isolation
Activities at Lucky Haven include karaoke and horticulture, which tackle social isolation.
Antica has co-designed interactive workshops with educational institutions such as Temasek Polytechnic for initiatives such as recycling, which promotes intergenerational bonding.
Ang said: “We don’t want them in their homes every day just watching TV… We want them down here, where they can socialise with each other and the younger generation.”
Ang said Antica is considering other neighbourhoods that are underserved to open more senior activity centres.
The non-profit has also expanded its reach to include youth as a key beneficiary group.
It partnered Crest Secondary School to provide 15 students with internships in four companies. They gained experience in working in the digital economy, from online retail platforms to smart home solutions.
Antica said this is “in view of the evolving needs of Singapore’s workforce and the importance of equipping them with relevant and future-ready skills”.
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