LHN hosts 140 seniors at Chinese New Year event in the heartlands
It promotes active ageing, enabling seniors to socialise amid the festive season
PROPERTY player LHN, through its subsidiary Coliwoo, ushered in Chinese New Year with 140 senior beneficiaries from Touch Community Services in the heartlands.
On Friday (Jan 17), the seniors from Touch’s Active Ageing Centre in Yishun were joined by more than 20 LHN staff volunteers to do hands-on activities, lo hei together and participate in a lucky draw, with prizes sponsored by LHN.
Chong Ching Yeng, chief commercial officer of Coliwoo, said: “This year’s programme includes singing performances by the seniors, dance activities and fun-filled Chinese New Year-themed games. It creates plenty of opportunities for the seniors to further bond with one another to deepen their social connections and keep active, as well as interact with our staff volunteers.”
One such volunteer, Anita Kwan, who is Singapore country manager of GreenHub Suited Offices (an LHN subsidiary), said these kinds of events help her “serve her purpose in life to help others”.
Meanwhile, Andy Ang, head of Touch Active Ageing at Touch Community Services, said this event enables seniors and volunteers alike to “interact with one another as everyone will be seated together at roundtables, just like how families have reunion dinners”.
This is especially important as many of the “vulnerable residents” live alone or do not have next of kin.
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Chong agreed, noting: “We recognise that isolation and loneliness are the biggest enemies of these older folks in Singapore. Many seniors, especially those in their later years, often face isolation – both physically and emotionally – which can affect their mental and physical well-being.”
Such events that promote active ageing also reassure seniors that they are not alone and bring comfort to them, especially amid the festive season, said Ang.
Chong added: “Active ageing is about more than just living longer; it’s about living better – remaining engaged with society, pursuing hobbies, staying physically active and maintaining strong social connections.”
Likewise, one beneficiary, a 70-year-old senior volunteer with Touch who is also a retiree, said these events enable her to keep her mind active and socialise with others, instead of spending the majority of her free time at home.
These kinds of events will help improve social cohesion. A survey released in December 2024 by the National University of Singapore and Columbia University suggested that there is a greater “need for initiatives fostering community connections and reducing isolation”, as Singapore currently ranks 42nd out of 143 countries surveyed for cohesion when it comes to the ageing population.
An ongoing partnership
LHN and Touch’s partnership started in 2022, when the property player purchased corporate gifts from the social service agency for its internal event.
The tie-up expanded with more events during the festive season for beneficiaries from Touch’s Active Ageing Centres, such as a KTV contest during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Ang said: “The festive season is also a great opportunity for volunteers to engage socially isolated seniors and those with mobility issues, many of whom prefer to stay at home.”
Besides seniors, LHN through Coliwoo also serves children from lower-income families by optimising its spaces for interactive activities and academic coaching.
“Collaborating with corporates like LHN helps social service agencies like Touch access resources and expertise to better address the needs of vulnerable communities,” he added.
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