NHB pilot uses heritage resources like murals to engage seniors
Former Commonwealth resident Tee Tong Hua, 83, fondly remembers the bowling alley below Queenstown Cinema, which she used to visit some 40 years ago.
Despite moving to Pasir Panjang a few years ago, she still visits Commonwealth frequently because of the memories and friends she made there.
Ms Tee was part of a group of 20 seniors aged 60 and above who took part in a walking tour of housing development SkyVille@Dawson on Dec 19. Together with 10 volunteers, they viewed wall murals by local artist Troy Chin, depicting scenes from Dawson and Queenstown’s past and present.
These include scenes of void deck and hawker centre activities, and the present-day Dawson neighbourhood with iconic landmarks such as SkyVille@Dawson and Alexandra Canal Linear Park.
The session was part of a pilot programme launched by the National Heritage Board (NHB) and FaithActs, a non-profit community care service, which wants to tap existing heritage resources in the neighbourhood to improve the well-being of seniors in Singapore.
The Heritage for Well-Being programme is part of NHB’s efforts to pioneer heritage-based interventions for health and well-being under the recently launched Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0, which charts the way for Singapore’s heritage and museum sector over the next five years.
In total, three pilot sessions will engage about 60 seniors, and the programme is expected to be officially launched in the middle of 2024.
NHB’s deputy chief executive Alvin Tan said it hopes to extend the sessions to more parts of Singapore and work with other social service agencies.
The mural scenes were selected because they were familiar to the seniors, he said.
“(We) felt that they can spark memory recall and help seniors generate conversations with volunteers and among themselves.
“What we wanted to do was to increase opportunities for group-based heritage and cultural activities for seniors and, in doing so, we really hope that by participating in these activities, we increase their sense of social connection with other seniors, with volunteers in the community, and contribute to their overall well-being,” added Mr Tan.
The programme also involves a rooftop tour on the 47th floor of SkyVille@Dawson, where seniors can enjoy scenic views.
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