The Red Cross Youth Volunteer Instructor Programme (VIP) empowers youth with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to plan events, mentor cadets, and support the training sessions. As part of this VIP, 35 Volunteer Instructor trainees visited Red Cross Home for the Disabled (RCHD) to brighten the lives of residents there.

The atmosphere was filled with warmth and excitement as the enthusiastic VI trainees arrived with friendly greetings, bringing joy and companionship to both RCHD's residents and the Red Cross Day Activity Centre for the Disabled (DAC) clients. Their smiles and energy created an immediate connection that transcended barriers.

The key priority of this initiative was to nurture the youth's heart for service, rooted in compassion and empathy. Community service stands as a cornerstone of the VIP, focused on providing aid, and supporting the vulnerable while championing Red Cross Youth (RCY)'s shared values of compassion, service, and humanity. This visit nurtures a generation of empathetic leaders while making a tangible difference in the lives of RCHD residents and DAC clients.

Paired with either an RCHD resident or a DAC client, each VI (Volunteer Instructor) trainee engaged a resident or client in craft activities and games, while uplifting their spirits and ensuring they had an enjoyable experience.

In addition, the VI trainees assisted RCHD and DAC's professional caregivers with the activities of daily living like assisting with oral feeding. This deepened their understanding and appreciation of the caregivers' tireless work to provide specialised care. 

Embracing Patience, Empathy & Adaptability in Residents' Engagement

The volunteers discovered that the most meaningful interactions came through patience, active listening, and empathy as they tailored activities to residents' abilities and interests.

"One resident grappled with communication," recalled Zheng Heng, a VI trainee. "Besides engaging him in conversation, we encouraged him to participate in a paper fishing game. Despite his initial reluctance, our gentle encouragement spurred him to participate actively."

Zheng Heng believes empathy and patience are integral to volunteering, particularly towards individuals with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. He shared,“They are like us, just that some tasks might prove more challenging for them. We exercise empathy by giving them breaks and time while conducting the activity."

Likewise, another trainee, Aliyah, echoed the importance of patience and attentiveness. She engaged a resident through active listening. Pushed out of her comfort zone, she encountered challenges in communicating with him. Nonetheless, Aliyah remained undeterred and paid close attention to what he said. 

Eventually, her active listening skills and attentiveness paid off. By demonstrating her interest and support when the resident shared about himself, Aliyah connected with the resident. She grew more confident in their interactions. 

"The resident shared about his favourite television programme and talked fondly about his brother, who visited on weekends. The visit was a meaningful maiden experience that taught me the importance of understanding others and treating everyone equally. It reminded me that we are all the same, deserving of kindness and respect,” concluded Aliyah. 

Exercising Discretion, Embracing Adaptability

The VI trainees also learned valuable lessons about flexibility, sometimes setting aside carefully designed plans to prioritise residents' comfort and enjoyment. They discovered that the key to a successful volunteering experience is not a detailed plan, but whether that plan has been tailored to the needs of the residents.

"During a painting activity, a resident stopped painting. Instead, he rubbed his finger against some newspapers on the table. The RCHD and DAC employees shared that the resident tends to rub his fingers against rough surfaces. I gave the resident time to feel the texture of the newspaper because he enjoyed it. Even though this deviated from the initially planned activity, I opted not to compel him to paint like the other residents, as the objective of the visit was to enhance the comfort and enjoyment of the residents," said Zheng Heng. 

Through their interactions with the residents and clients, the VI trainees put smiles on the faces of the residents and clients, while brightening their day. Through this positive volunteering and learning experience, the RCY has nurtured compassionate and empathetic leaders, even as they strive for efficiency and excellence. After all, the VIs' responsibility entails not only staying on task, but also keeping a lookout for those around them. 

Collaborations between RCY, RCHD, and DAC are a testament to the power of youth-driven volunteerism. It bridges connections, fosters empathy, and reminds us all that acts of kindness can create ripples of change in the wider community.  These partnerships enable RCY members to give back to society beyond their school setting, underscoring that no one is too insignificant to make a difference. As Batch 26/25 wrapped up the community service initiative, they left behind memories and a legacy of compassion and service.

By Xaviera Fok, Red Cross Youth Uniformed Group