Lions Befrienders has been working closely with SUSS on WHO’s ICOPE (Integrated Care for Older People) programme to address the decline in older adults’ physical and mental capacities in a person-centred and coordinated approach.
Through this partnership, three of our staff were trained and certified as the pilot batch of Singapore-based ICOPE assessors in 2022. We strengthened our collaboration by jointly developing community interventions to address the identified needs of older adults at our Active Ageing Centres (AACs) based on the pilot ICOPE assessments.
We were also privileged to receive strong support from Associate Professor Carol Ma, Senior Fellow of the Centre for Experiential Learning and Head of Gerontology Programmes at SUSS, who participated in Lions Befrienders’ inaugural Befriending Conference 2022 as a conference speaker.
As we look to deepen our partnership with SUSS, we are excited to embark on new collaborations to reshape volunteerism in Singapore through behavioural science research and the professionalisation of volunteers. We are grateful for SUSS’ unwavering dedication to working with community partners like us to build a healthier and stronger community for seniors.
- Karen Wee, Executive Director, Lions Befrienders Service Association (Singapore)