For most of us, being mobile is deemed a given and when stricken with mobility issues, we may not be prepared for the huge medical-related costs and adjustments we need to make on a day-to-day basis. This is especially crushing for low income residents and elderly.

It is important for ageing elderly to have an elder-friendly environment to live in to help them move around their house more easily. The Caregiving @ South West programme will provide vulnerable seniors and families with free installations of home equipment such as grab bars, wireless door bells, water taps, energy-saving light bulbs, shower hoses, as well as free DIY workshops to seniors to impart skills on troubleshooting of common household problems.

Students from low income families often do not have access to quality eye care and eyewear. Without a pair of spectacles, reading and learning become a challenge. EyeWear @ South West seeks to provide subsidised spectacles and free eye screening to more than 150 students and vulnerable elderly. Residents aged 12 and below will receive $60 eyewear vouchers and residents above 12 years old will receive $150.

Education is a social enabler and strong literacy skills open the minds of children to endless possibilities and help them build lifelong skills. By inculcating bilingual reading in children from low income families, we can help them improve their communication skills and confidence.

Often, we turn our attention to the vulnerable or elderly who require care and assistance and forget that their caregivers are also struggling with long hours of physical and emotional stress. They are the pillar of support for their family member who has taken ill and many have to balance day work with caregiving.