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From struggle to hope: The helping hands giving a lift to S’pore’s elderly, workers and families in need

Whether through senior care or career training, NTUC and its NTUC Enterprise Businesses’ targeted support programmes have helped transform the lives of those who need it most

At 75, Mr Toh Ching Boon makes daily visits to his wife of 40 years at NTUC Health’s nursing home in Jurong, where they now spend their mornings having a bite to eat, watching birds in the garden and sometimes making desserts together – a sweet nod to Madam Ang Swee’s past as a bakery assistant. PHOTO: NTUC

PUBLISHED Dec 29, 2024, 04:00 AM

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Every morning, 75-year-old Toh Ching Boon begins his day with a familiar routine: purchasing coffee and a warm breakfast for his wife, Ang Swee. 

“She loves chwee kueh and chicken rice,” Mr Toh says with a smile. “It’s a small way to remind her how much she means to me.”

Married for over 40 years, their bond has deepened through shared meals and quiet moments. But as Madam Ang’s health declined due to heart complications and mobility issues, daily life became increasingly challenging.

Recognising the need for professional care, Mr Toh turned to NTUC Health’s nursing home in Jurong, located right in their neighbourhood. The Tohs are among 2,500 seniors who have received support through the Health for Life Fund in the past two years. 

Watch their story in the video below.

Across NTUC Health’s six nursing homes, 26 day centres and 44 active ageing and rehabilitation centres, seniors like Madam Ang find not just care, but dignity and meaningful connections.

Their story is one of thousands that showcase how NTUC, together with businesses under NTUC Enterprise, make a difference in the lives of Singaporeans, especially the most vulnerable among us.

Supporting families at every stage 

For many low-income families, the journey of building a better life starts with their children’s education. This is where NTUC’s support system begins, creating a foundation for lifelong success.

Ms Karen Lee, 43 (second from left), shoulders the responsibility of supporting eight people on her administrative executive salary. Beyond caring for her four school-going children aged six to 21, she also supports her elderly parents and adult brother who suffers from a chronic medical condition that precludes long-term employment. Through NTUC First Campus’ support, she found educational assistance for her youngest son Branson (in red). PHOTO: NTUC 

When Ms Lee first enrolled her youngest son, Branson, in NTUC First Campus’ My First Skool, she was overwhelmed by her responsibilities. The boy could barely communicate, often mumbling in frustration when others could not understand him.

“Branson was three but he couldn’t talk properly. He would get angry when asked to repeat himself. I knew he needed help, but as I was supporting eight people, the fees seemed impossible,” says Ms Lee. The boy turned six in 2024.

Through NTUC First Campus’ Bright Horizons Fund, which raised close to $3 million in 2024, Branson received not just education but comprehensive support including speech therapy and motor skills development. The fund, which has helped more than 38,000 children access quality early education since its inception in 2008, reduced his monthly school fees from $765 to just $25.

She adds: “The speech therapy has been transformative. Now he’s so talkative, it’s almost annoying. But more than that, the teachers here understand our struggles. They have helped me learn better ways to handle difficult moments with my children.”

Building bridges to a better future 

As children grow, NTUC’s support evolves with them. No one understands this better than Mr Vickneswaran Rajagopal, whose story demonstrates how this support creates intergenerational impact.

From connecting passenger boarding bridges at sea to building bridges for his family’s future, Mr Vickneswaran Rajagopal embodies the spirit of resilience. The 50-year-old father of four has worked at Singapore Cruise Centre for 17 years, specialising in a job that demands physical strength and careful precision. His proudest moment came recently when his eldest son became the first in their extended family to enter university. PHOTO: NTUC

Recounting the moment his son showed him the university acceptance email, Mr Vickneswaran says: “I started to get emotional.”

“As a sole breadwinner for six people, there were times I wondered if I could give my children the education they deserved.”

The NTUC-U Care Fund has been a crucial support system for families like his. In 2024, the fund raised $7.2 million, benefiting more than 10,000 union members and their families through initiatives like the $2 million e-Vouchers programme and $700,000 in Education Awards.

“The NTUC-U Care Fund e-Vouchers helped me purchase essential school supplies for my children. When I go to NTUC FairPrice, I can buy oil, canned food and eggs. These might seem like small things, but they add up to make a big difference in our monthly budget,”  Mr Vickneswaran shares. 

Climbing ladders once out of reach

The journey of growth does not stop with education. Through NTUC LearningHub’s commitment to the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) scheme, workers across various sectors are finding new pathways to career advancement and better wages.

Mr Muhammad Nasharudin Shariff’s journey from security officer to senior security supervisor exemplifies how proper training and career development can transform lives. At 52, he has witnessed firsthand how enhanced skills training has elevated not just salaries but the entire security profession. PHOTO: NTUC

Mr Nasharudin explains: “It’s not just about better pay – though that is important. The PWM has helped improve the image of the security profession, you know, with the skills and qualifications we must undergo. 

“I have met some people who have said ‘Wow, you’re a security officer.’”

NTUC LearningHub is committed to uplifting lower-wage workers through the PWM scheme, having provided over 185,000 training places in the Cleaning, Security, Retail and Food Services sectors to help workers advance in their careers. This emphasis on skill development has become a cornerstone of NTUC’s efforts to ensure no worker is left behind.

Nourishing communities 

As families work hard to build better lives, NTUC ensures that basic needs like food security are met through initiatives that preserve dignity while providing essential support.

Between January and November 2024, FairPrice Group provided over $11 million worth of subsidies to seniors, Merdeka and Pioneer Generation members, and Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Blue and Orange cardholders. These discount schemes will be extended into 2025. 

Through FairPrice Foundation, it also launched A Full Plate – Singapore’s largest food donation drive – to partner with ten local charities in providing nutritious food to nearly 600,000 beneficiaries. The drive raised over $1.6 million in two months.

Madam Suzanna, a 33-year-old mother of six, found her world turned upside down when her children fell ill, forcing her to leave her job to become their primary caregiver. Her small home-based business, already impacted by the pandemic, could not bridge the gap. Through FairPrice Group’s A Full Plate initiative and support from Riverlife Community Services, she now receives essential groceries that help keep her family nourished during challenging times. PHOTO: NTUC

For Madam Suzanna, the support from A Full Plate means more than just groceries – it represents hope during difficult times. “When my children fell ill and I had to stop working, I worried constantly about putting food on the table,” she says. 

“The groceries from Riverlife Community Services – the rice, oil, vegetables, even simple things like crackers and Milo – help me ensure my children never go hungry.”

Finding joy in the journey

NTUC’s commitment to workers’ well-being extends beyond the basics of food and education to include something equally vital: the opportunity for families to create lasting memories together. 

Through NTUC Club’s annual Family Fun Fiesta, low-income families get to enjoy recreational activities that might otherwise be out of reach.

The initiative, which brought smiles to over 4,000 beneficiaries in 2024, gives each family of four a package worth $150, including admission to Wild Wild Wet, meals and activities at Downtown East. These moments of respite allow families to strengthen their bonds away from daily pressures.

Support comes in many forms and sometimes, it is the simple pleasure of a family day out. Pictured is a beneficiary family with their complimentary Wild Wild Wet tickets and Downtown East vouchers courtesy of NTUC Club. PHOTO: NTUC

Understanding that true security comes from both immediate support and long-term planning, Income Insurance has committed $100 million over 10 years from 2021 through Income OrangeAid. 

This initiative takes a three-pronged approach: supporting vulnerable families and seniors’ well-being, as well as championing environmental sustainability.

For students from low-income families, the Income Family Micro-Insurance Scheme provides crucial safety nets that help them stay in school during difficult times.

Looking ahead

As Singapore celebrates SG60 in 2025, NTUC remains focused on its core mission: improving the lives and livelihoods of all workers.

Over the next three years (from 2025 to 2027), $5.4 million will be allocated to support new programmes aimed at easing financial pressures for lower-income union members with caregiving responsibilities. 

These stories – from the Tohs finding dignity in their golden years, to Ms Lee securing quality education for her son, to Mr Nasharudin building a rewarding career – showcase how NTUC, together with businesses under NTUC Enterprise, ensure better wages, stronger support systems and brighter futures.

Learn more about how NTUC is making a difference – and how you can join the journey to do good.

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