Ms June Low Peck Choo
Recipient of the Special Commendation Awards 2014 and 2018
Volunteering with RSVP since 2007
I have been a volunteer with RSVP Singapore since 2008. I got to know about RSVP while flipping through the “Mind and Body” section in the Straits Times. It piqued my interest and I decided to join RSVP as a volunteer after I retired.
I started in the mentoring programme. For the first two years, I was in the NEWater tour programme in collaboration with the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and Mentoring programme until the programme ended. Afterwards for the next five years, I joined the Mentoring and Mentally Disadvantaged Outreach Programme (MDOP), ultimately ending up where I am today, the Enriching Lives of Seniors Programme (ELSP) and conducting drawing classes under the Volunteer Learning.
I been in ELSP for about five to six years. I currently lead the team of volunteers at Pioneer Zone 8 and 9 RCs. A typical session for me would be exercise (which is a MUST), discussion or talking session followed by an activity. The activities can vary from cognitive stimulating games such as word puzzles or sudoku to the centre senior’s favourite – handicrafts.
Planning these sessions however are not that easy. One challenge would be the amount of research and preparation needed for new ideas to keep things interesting. This helps offer alternatives to activities that the centre cannot provide, or the seniors do not enjoy. But, with the help of my team, we distribute the workload and at the end of it all, the result of putting in the work pays off.
One memorable experience I had was with a lady who loved crafts. This lady loved to do hands-on things, however her hands were not nimble. So, every time during craft session, she would resist against doing craft works. Therefore, I decided to do the craftwork for her and to pass it to her every week when she is done. It always makes the lady happy.
This is just part of the joy that I get. The growth I observe in the seniors and the appreciation given to them really warms my heart too! It fills my heart with personal accomplishment and makes the time spent with them meaningful.
Out of this entire experience, I have benefited individually, I better cherish and appreciate life. I’ve also improved on my coordination skills with groups of people.
