“Next time come over again, I’ll cook for you”, the phrase which quietly altered my life moving forward. I still remember it was a hot Sunday afternoon when I was volunteering with my church to visit the elderly residents living alone. The elderly aunty I was visiting said this as she handed me a chilled can of Apple juice. That moment sticks with me – her smile, warmth, and the way she handed me a drink I told her was nice a week ago – really changed my perception of volunteering.
Volunteering is not a touch-and-go transaction where we just claim our required Values-in-action (VIA) hours, but it is helping, seeing, and connecting with the people we spend our time with. It also strengthens social cohesion, meaning people feel a stronger sense of belonging and support in their community. What began as a simple decision to spend an hour or two volunteering with friends soon connected me with people from different walks of life and life stages, many of whom were once strangers. These encounters led to deeper interactions within the community, and to friendships and a sense of kinship that I deeply treasure.
Volunteering has also introduced me to many memorable stories: the aunty who worked as a hawker at the Science Centre, the uncle who loves talking about his favourite food, and even the child who loves watching Spider-man with his three older brothers. These stories were more than words shared during the few hours we spent together—they carried lessons, wisdom, and quiet advice. They prompted me to reflect on life and how I wanted to live my one life, shaping a shift in perspective that eventually led my 18yearold self to rethink my desired career path.
Volunteering also has a wide range of benefits beyond simply connecting with others. Research shows that volunteering is a win win—clients receive the support they need, while volunteers experience greater life satisfaction and even better long-term health outcomes (Nichol et al., 2023). Furthermore, many volunteers also pick up various skills like empathy during their sessions, which can enhance their personal and professional life (Yeung et al., 2017). Thus, volunteering is truly a win-win situation, where both parties gain practical, emotional, and social support from the community they volunteer/live in.
In today’s fast-paced society, many of us students, parents, and even retirees come home feeling tired, often believing we lack the time or energy to give back to others. However, volunteering does not have to always be something big as even small acts like lending a listening ear, purchasing groceries or playing games with those you spend time with can strengthen the invisible threads of trust; gradually connecting and securing both you and the person you serve to the larger, more tightly-knitted community.
Everyone can play a part in strengthening our community. Through even the smallest acts of compassion, volunteering helps create a warm and inclusive environment—one that ripples outward with connection and belonging. If you’re open to taking that first step, we warmly invite you to explore volunteering opportunities with us and see how simple acts can make a meaningful difference. Find out more about volunteering at Fei Yue Community Services – Volunteer – Fei Yue
Written by: Karie-Ann Yeo, Intern, Fei Yue Community Services
References
Nichol, B., Wilson, R., Rodrigues, A., & Haighton, C. (2023). Exploring the effects of volunteering on the social, mental, and physical health and well-being of volunteers: an umbrella review. VOLUNTAS International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 35(1), 97–128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-023-00573-z
Yeung, J. W. K., Zhang, Z., & Kim, T. Y. (2017). Volunteering and health benefits in general adults: cumulative effects and forms. BMC Public Health, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4561-8
