We have a new space in the neighbourhood! Our Strengthening Families Programme@Family Service Centre (FAM@FSC) and Fei Yue Families for Life@Community (FFLC) have been operating out of Blk 281 and Blk 421 at Choa Chu Kang Ave 3 and Ave 4. Come mid to end 2025, we will be co-located at Blocks 118 and 124 Teck Whye Lane.
To get to know the residents at Teck Whye better, we conducted 2 rounds of door-knocking exercises around the neighbourhood to find out more about residents’ interests, skills, and profile so that we can work better with the community to plan activities that will cater to the residents.
Besides mapping the assets of our community, we were also keen to find out about the level of neighbourly connectedness. How many people do they know by face or name? If they need a small favour, do residents go to their neighbours? Do they attend community events? Are they interested in helping or supporting other residents by contributing their skills, planning activities, or befriending a neighbour?
So on 26 Mar 2024, together with Choa Chua Kang Family Service Centre’s Outreach team, Research colleagues and social work students from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), we combed 5 blocks, going door to door to introduce Fei Yue Community Services and invite residents to take part in our survey.
A second round of door-knocking took place on the evening of 5 June 2024 with 13 people, made up of staff, volunteers and interns trooping down to Teck Whye to engage the residents. While there, we heard from long-time residents that there were fewer community activities now compared to pre-COVID. We also met residents who were keen to connect and share their ideas of what more could be done to enliven our community space.
We are excited by the prospects of working with the community to co-design a space for the community. We envisage a shared space that goes beyond just training and counselling rooms, but a space where tired parents can drop-in for a coffee or chat, a space for intergenerational connections – parents to their children, adults to seniors – through arts, sports, nature, causes… During this National Day period, we are reminded of our common experiences as a nation. United by our love for this country, the possibilities to build families and communities are endless!
If you are keen to join our community building efforts in Teck Whye, connect with us at [email protected]
