EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Singapore's community support landscape includes befriending services for isolated seniors, national volunteer movements, self-help groups for each ethnic community, grassroots organisations managed by the People's Association, religious organisations providing social services, migrant worker support agencies, homelessness services, and food assistance programmes. These organisations form the informal safety net complementing government and VWO services.
BEFRIENDING SERVICES
Since May 2021, all new befriending referrals are processed centrally through AIC's Integrated Referral Management System (IRMS), allocated by Active Ageing Centre service boundaries.
| Organisation | Details | Contact | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOUCH Community Services | Est. 1986. Befriending, seniors programmes, multiple service areas | 162 Bukit Merah Central; Tel: 6251 4535 | touch.org.sg |
| Lions Befrienders | Est. 1995. ~1,000 volunteers serving ~13,000 seniors. Eligibility: 65+, limited/no family support, at risk of social isolation | befriending@lb.org.sg | lionsbefrienders.org.sg |
| Montfort Care | Goodlife Studio Active Ageing Centres, trained senior volunteer befrienders | Via website | montfortcare.org.sg |
| Fei Yue Community Services | 16 Active Ageing Centres across north, south, and west Singapore | Tel: 6819 9177 | fycs.org |
| Singapore Red Cross ElderAid | Fortnightly home visits by community volunteers (must be 18+). Links to FoodAid and TransportAid | Via website | redcross.sg |
VOLUNTEER ORGANISATIONS
SG Cares
National volunteer movement co-led by NVPC and NCSS. All 24 towns have SG Cares Volunteer Centres that match volunteers to community needs.
National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC)
National agency for volunteerism and philanthropy. Operates Giving.sg.
- Website: nvpc.org.sg
Giving.sg
National giving platform with 700+ verified charities. Donate money or time.
- Website: giving.sg
Volunteer.gov.sg
Government volunteer portal for public sector volunteering opportunities.
- Customer service: Tel 6622 9268
- Website: volunteer.gov.sg
Singapore Red Cross
Humanitarian organisation providing first aid, disaster response, community services.
- Tel: 6664 0500
- Services: First Aiders on Wheels, ElderAid, FoodAid, TransportAid
- Website: redcross.sg
SELF-HELP GROUPS
CDAC (Chinese Development Assistance Council)
Est. 1992. Supports lower-income Chinese Singaporean families.
- Student tuition: 40 locations; no fee for eligible students (household income ≤$4,800/month or PCI ≤$1,400)
- Family Assistance Programme: For household income ≤$2,400
- Website: cdac.org.sg
SINDA (Singapore Indian Development Association)
Supports Indian community through education, financial aid, and social programmes.
- STEP tuition programme and 100+ other programmes
- Hotline: 1800 295 3333
- Website: sinda.org.sg
Yayasan MENDAKI
Est. 1982. Supports Malay/Muslim community through education and development.
- MTS tuition (registration fee removed from AY2026)
- TTFS tertiary tuition fee subsidy
- Website: mendaki.org.sg
Eurasian Association
Family Support Services, food rations delivery, community programmes.
- Address: 139 Ceylon Road
- Self-Help Groups Centre (Yishun): Tel 6752 7760
- Website: eurasians.sg
GRASSROOTS ORGANISATIONS
People's Association (PA)
Est. 1960. Manages 1,800+ grassroots organisations, 100+ Community Clubs, ~38,000 grassroots leaders.
- Tel: 6225 5322
- Website: pa.gov.sg
Key structures
- Citizens' Consultative Committees (CCCs) — apex grassroots body per constituency (est. 1965)
- Residents' Committees (RCs) — precinct-level neighbourhood engagement
- Community Clubs/Centres — 100+ locations for activities, courses, and community events
Community Development Councils (CDCs)
Five CDCs covering all of Singapore:
| CDC | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Central Singapore | Bishan–Toa Payoh, Jalan Besar, Tanjong Pagar, Radin Mas, Bukit Merah, Queenstown |
| North East | Aljunied, Hougang, Sengkang, Punggol, Pasir Ris–Punggol |
| North West | Marsiling–Yew Tee, Sembawang, Nee Soon, Holland–Bukit Timah, Chua Chu Kang |
| South East | East Coast, Marine Parade, Mountbatten, MacPherson, Tampines, Bedok |
| South West | Jurong, Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Clementi, West Coast |
CDC Vouchers
- FY2025: $800 total per household ($500 from May 2025 + $300 from Jan 2026)
- Eligibility: Households with at least 1 Singapore Citizen
- Claim at: go.gov.sg/cdcv
RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS DOING SOCIAL WORK
Methodist Welfare Services (MWS)
22 centres, 8,400+ beneficiaries across eldercare, children/youth, family, and disability services.
- Tel: 6478 4700
- Website: mws.sg
Catholic Welfare Services / Caritas Singapore
Est. 1959. Caritas is the umbrella body for 27 Catholic charities in Singapore.
- Catholic Welfare Services: Tel 6333 5484
- Caritas Singapore: Tel 6801 7400
- Website: caritas-singapore.org
Jamiyah Singapore
Est. 1932. One of Singapore's oldest Muslim organisations.
- Services: Free clinic, legal advice, counselling, nursing home (Darul Takrim), halfway house (Darul Islah)
- Tel: 6743 1211
- Website: jamiyah.org.sg
Sikh Welfare Council (SIWEC)
Est. 1995. Financial assistance, eldercare, counselling for the Sikh community and beyond.
- Address: 2 Towner Road
- Tel: 6299 9234
- Website: siwec.org
Singapore Buddhist Welfare Services (SBWS)
Free daily meal delivery (since 1985), public financial assistance, free clinic.
- Website: sbws.org.sg
MIGRANT WORKER SUPPORT
TWC2 (Transient Workers Count Too)
Est. 2003. Free services for migrant workers facing exploitation or workplace issues.
- Helpline: 1800 888 1515 (Mon–Fri 9am–9pm)
- Office: Tel 6247 7001
- Address: 5001 Beach Rd, Golden Mile Complex #09-86
- Website: twc2.org.sg
HOME (Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics)
Est. 2004. Support for migrant domestic workers and foreign workers.
- Migrant Workers Helpline: 6341 5535
- Domestic Workers: 9787 3122
- Website: home.org.sg
Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC)
Est. 2009 (NTUC/SNEF partnership). Advisory, assistance, and recreation for migrant workers.
- 24-hour helpline: 6536 2692
- Website: mwc.org.sg
HOMELESSNESS SUPPORT
MSF PEERS Network
Government framework for homelessness support. 2025 street count: 496 rough sleepers (down 6.4% from 530 in 2022). 7 Transitional Shelters (~730 beds, ~66% occupancy). Safe Sound Sleeping Places (S3Ps) for immediate overnight shelter. New $450K PATH Fund for longer-term support.
New Hope Community Services
Est. 2004. Transit Point shelters and support services.
- Shelter locations: Margaret Drive, Jalan Kukoh, Yio Chu Kang, 1 Spooner Road
- Website: newhopecs.org.sg
Salvation Army
In Singapore since 1935. The Haven shelter and social services.
- Address: The Haven, 350 Pasir Panjang Road
- Website: salvationarmy.org.sg
Homeless Hearts of Singapore
Community support and advocacy for homeless individuals.
- Website: homeless.sg
FOOD ASSISTANCE
Food from the Heart
5 distribution programmes serving ~64,000 beneficiaries. 5 Community Shops for subsidised groceries.
- Tel: 6280 4483
- Address: 130 Joo Seng Rd #03-01
- Website: foodfromtheheart.sg
Willing Hearts
Singapore's largest soup kitchen. ~10,000 daily meals. Secular, 100% volunteer-run.
- Website: willinghearts.org.sg
Free Food For All
IPC-registered, Halal-certified food distribution. Includes KidsLuvIt! programme for children.
- Tel: 6530 3424
- Website: freefood.org.sg
The Food Bank Singapore
Est. 2012. Food collection, warehousing, and distribution. Mobile Food Pantry (24/7 vending machines).
- Tel: 9855 4805
- Address: 218 Pandan Loop
- Website: foodbank.sg
Singapore Red Cross
FoodAid programme and Meals with Love for vulnerable populations.
- Website: redcross.sg
KEY CONTACTS
| Service | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|
| ComCare Call | 1800-222-0000 | msf.gov.sg |
| AIC Hotline | 1800-650-6060 | aic.sg |
| SG Enable | 1800-858-8585 | sgenable.sg |
| Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) | 1767 | sos.org.sg |
| mindline.sg | 1771 | mindline.sg |
| National Anti-Violence Helpline | 1800-777-0000 | msf.gov.sg |
| CDAC | Via website | cdac.org.sg |
| SINDA | 1800-295-3333 | sinda.org.sg |
| Mendaki | Via website | mendaki.org.sg |
| TWC2 | 1800-888-1515 | twc2.org.sg |
| HOME | 6341 5535 | home.org.sg |
| MWC | 6536 2692 | mwc.org.sg |
| Food from the Heart | 6280 4483 | foodfromtheheart.sg |
| People's Association | 6225 5322 | pa.gov.sg |
| CDC Vouchers | — | go.gov.sg/cdcv |