Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled
Introduction
Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled (BHID) is a residential home specially built to create a conducive environment for people with intellectual disabilities. With rooms beautifully decorated with colourful murals, the home provides a community setting which encourages social interaction and training of pre-vocational skills.
What we do
Our volunteers interact with and befriend the residents to help them develop their social capabilities, motor skills and intellectual abilities amongst many other essential life skills. By involving them into a wider social network, it is hoped that they can lead a more joyful life and integrate better into the society. In the process, volunteers learn to be more appreciative and open-minded as well.
We conduct a variety of games with the residents during the regular visits. For example, station games such as arts and craft, obstacle course and sports games, as well as intellectual activities like Memory-Connect, Five Senses, MarketPlace. The visit typically starts with a mass warm-up exercise or dance, before the residents are gathered into groups where volunteers buddy with the residents and guide them through the activities. We aim to promote more volunteer-resident interaction to foster closer bonding.
Residents doing handicraft with volunteers’ guidance
Playing a variety of games with the residents
We also organise outings where we bring the residents to various places such as the Marina Barrage, Sentosa, Chinese Garden, museum and Botanical Garden. We also celebrate festive seasons and special occasions together with the residents. Both residents and volunteers enjoy and have fun together during Chinese New Year, Mid-autumn Festival, National Day, Christmas and Bishan Home anniversary.
Mass photograph taken after Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration 2010
Come on, Join US!
A resident may look like an adult yet the mentality may be that of a child. Hence, volunteers should adopt a positive attitude to encourage them along the way and generously compliment them when they fulfil what they set out to do. Both residents and volunteers will have valuable opportunities to learn from each other in the process of interactions.
The unique bonds forged between the residents and fellow volunteers, and life lessons learnt from the residents and peers are definitely valuable. It is particularly heart-warming when residents affectionately refer to volunteers as Kor Kor or Cheh Cheh (dialect for brothers and sisters) commonly in the warm family setting of the home.
There is no better exercise for your heart, than reaching out and helping someone. YOU can make a difference to the residents and give the residents a chance to make a positive change in your lives by joining us today!
Where:
Bishan Street 13
Singapore 579798
Next to Zion Bible Presbyterian Church
When:
Every Saturday from 10am -12pm
Contact:
Volunteer’s thoughts:
- Wei Ting
- Yuan Ting
- Picasa Albums 1
- Picasa Albums 2
- BHID PhotoBlog
- Qian Hu Fish Farm Outing 2011
- Christmas Celebration 2010
- Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration 2010
- BHID 12th Anniversary 2010
- Lee Kai Xin - Chairperson
- Ong Yan Zhi Ayden - Co-Chairperson
- Soh Eng Shing - Sectary/Treasurer
- Quek Jia Min - Welfare/Logistics
- Wong Liyun Kelly - Publicity
- Khoo Shu Hui Michelle - Publicity
- Russell Koh Weiren - Programmer
- Liu Yizhu - Programmer
I’ve always have an interest in volunteering. My involvement in the RVP@BHID can considered to be the first time I interact closely with the intellectually disabled. Initially, I was at a loss of how to mingle with the residents and interact with them. I could still remember the first time when I went for the regular visit. When I tried to offer help to one of the residents during the craft-making session, she actually threw the scissors on the floor! At that time I was really upset, thinking that I was of no help at all!
But gradually, I learnt to understand the residents more and know how to deal with such situations better.
Now, Saturday becomes the day I looked forward to because I really enjoyed having fun together with the residents. They are such lovely and friendly people that you will be always greeted with their waves and handshakes.
I hoped that I am able to bring them some happiness, even if it were to be just a smile on their faces, it still make a difference in their lives. It is a meaningful experience, especially when you get to see them picking up new skills.
Seeking for an experience with the intellectually-disabled group, I participate in the work and activities at Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled (BHID) RVP. The enthusiastic and lively residents taught me how simple acts can be very heartwarming to each other. For instance, a warm handshake extended to them was met with a wide smile!
I embark on my community work with very minimal expectations or understanding of how my involvement would be beneficial to me and the residents. However, my involvement in the community home activities which ensue at BHID is rewarded with many life enriching experiences and they fortify my values of being more appreciative of the things around me. I believe every resident has his/her own ability to stretch his/her potential and what touches me the most is their earnest effort in very task that they do, regardless of the magnitude. Seeing the smiles and grins on their faces when they look forward to our weekly visits, I derive a sense of fulfillment that motivates me and propel me to want to contribute more! The friendships forged and shared memories with fellow BHID volunteers are also deeply treasured.
In short, I am glad and proud to be part of the BHID family!