As part of their ongoing community efforts, the SUSS-Nunchi Marine Age Well Programme continues to pioneer gerontology studies and initiatives in and beyond Singapore. In the first half of 2024, the programme saw collaborations with local and overseas organisations to promote healthy ageing through intergenerational and cross-cultural learning.
Drumming Up Active Ageing
The World Ageing Festival 2024’s opening drum ensemble, comprising participants from all walks of life, pose for a photo with SUSS Chancellor, Mdm Halimah Yacob.
In a partnership with Aspire55 and Ageing Asia, the SUSS-Nunchi Marine Age Well Programme successfully organised a drum ensemble to open for the World Ageing Festival 2024 (WAF 2024). Comprising 300 performers from young children to seniors and of various nationalities, the ensemble also included members from SUSS, Aspire55, Taiwan's National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Agency for Integrated Care, Sparkle Care @ Yew Tee, Sparkle Tots, St Luke's ElderCare, Tsao Foundation, ITE College West, Heartbeat@Bedok, NTUC Health, Orange Valley, U3A, WINGS and independent communities.
The record-breaking performance, witnessed by Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health, captivated the audience with a special rendition of popular folksong “Rasa Sayang” using exercise balls and drumsticks. Prior to this, participants rehearsed for two months via video conferencing under the guidance of Yenny, Drum Instructor with Aspire55 with the support of Dr Linda Lin, NCKU and Dr Kelvin Tan, SUSS. Participants experienced a rich diversity of musical traditions through the blend of drumming styles from various countries yet fostered a sense of unity through the practice.
Age Well Ambassadors from Tainan concludes their eye-opening learning trip at NTUC Health located in Kampung Admiralty.
Additionally, 15 elderly drummers, also Age Well ambassadors, from Tainan embarked on a learning trip to Kampung Admiralty, Singapore’s first integrated community living neighbourhood. They discovered it was an exemplary model of sustainable urban development, senior-friendly design and community-building that have inspired other urban planners, architects, and social innovators.
Mdm Huang, an 86-year-old participant, recounted, “I have made new friends through this drumming activity. I feel younger and healthier thanks to this cultural exchange.”
Grooving Into the Golden Years Through Dance
Beyond drumming, the SUSS-Nunchi Marine Age Well Programme has also invited Soulful Foods, a silver dance crew from the Federation of International Dance Associations (FIDA), Japan to perform at the 12th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards, hosted at WAF 2024. Even at an average age of 70 years old, the dancers exuded energy and optimism. With the goal of spreading and promoting social development and world peace through dance, their performance created an electrifying atmosphere, highlighting the power of artistic and cultural expressions in bridging generational and cultural gaps, and fostering mutual understanding and collaboration.
Participants from the cultural exchange journey huddles together for a finale photo after their site visits to various AAC.
The dancers then embarked on a cultural exchange journey, visiting Active Ageing Centres (AAC) at Blossom Seeds and St Luke ElderCare Active Ageing Hub @ Northshore, where different groups of seniors showcased their local dance moves and shared tips on active ageing. The diverse backgrounds and dance sessions helped build new friendships and networks across age groups and national boundaries.
Healthier Ageing Through the SUSS-Nunchi Marine Age Well Programme
Through initiatives like these, the SUSS-Nunchi Marine Age Well Programme aims to continue identifying international best practices for Singapore's ageing population and enhancing cultural awareness, inclusivity, skills development and social connections for healthier ageing.
Stay tuned to more projects organised by the SUSS-Nunchi Marine Age Well Programme!