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In 1999, COPE or the Community Outreach Programme for the Elderly was initiated by the
Marine Parade Community Development Council (now known as South East CDC) to meet the
needs of the ageing population.
By November 1999, St. Hilda's Church COPE Team, code-named Love COPE, was formed to love
and reach out to the elderly.
In 2002, was
established and registered with the Registrar of Societies and the Charities Act. We are
also a member with the NCSS Central Fund and attained IPC status in 2002.
The work of St. Hilda's Community Services Centre is encapsulated in a simple
phrase - .
A staff force of 8 backed and complemented by a 200 strong volunteer force, popularly
known as the "ang sahs" by the residents because of their distinctive red T-shirts, do not wait
for residents to call on them.
Instead, the strategy of knocking on each and every door to discover the real needs of the residents
has resulted in Programmes, as varied as the needs are.
We started with serving the residents in the 13 blocks of flats in Tanjong
Rhu, of which about half of the 1,572 households are elderly residents.
In 2004, St. Hilda's responsibilities were enlarged to include the residents in a further
22 blocks of flats at Dakota Crescent and Old Airport Road.
These include:
Touching the health of residents emerged as a priority when our door to door visits
highlighted the plight of bed ridden and home bound residents who were ignorant of
services available to them and/or were not vigilant in monitoring chronic health
conditions they were suffering from.
Linking them up with relevant services and making available the services of our
volunteer doctors currently meets this crucial need.
Residents with diabetes and hypertension are monitored once a week by our volunteer doctor.
Together with the South East CDC and Changi General Hospital, a more exhaustive and
comprehensive health screening Programme for the elderly was mounted for the residents.
What was heartening to note was that many who would never have availed themselves to such a
health screening exercise were served.
There were several residents who were detected with dangerously high blood sugar and blood pressure
levels. They were attended to just in time.
The trust and good relationship with volunteers enabled residents to be touched in this way.
A total of 393 elderly benefited from this health screening exercive and this was the birthing of an
exercise Programme (Golden Oldies Exercise Programme).
Some 60 elderly residents meet twice a week going through a series of professionally developed exercise
that would keep them fit and enhance mobility.
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Touching lives that are lonely, touching lives of those whose nests are empty, touching lives
of those whose days are long through social activities.
These activities were introduced when we met with many residents who said that it was difficult
for them to pass the day. They either lived alone or family members were too busy.
This, the inception of "" - a
daily gathering of some 80 - 100 residents at a refurbished refuse bin centre.
This became an integral part of the residents' lives. On the occasions when it has to
be closed for just a day for pressing reasons such as repair or painting, residents
feel disengaged and voiced disappointment.
Other activities such as outings, festive celebrations, senior citizens' week celebrations
all have the same focus - we care.
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Touching lives where it counts has led to quickly mounted exercises.
Reaching out to residents to explain the CPF top up scheme, workfare, and other policies
has gone a long way in helping residents enjoy benefits available to them.
Love COPE volunteers fill forms, explain letters from government departments, accompany
residents who need help to government agencies - small actions that reap important results
for the individual residents.
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