LO 2 Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

LO 7 Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions

Through approximately half a year of being in this service, it has been easy to recognise and understand challenges that we have faced in planning activities and managing our time, especially. We have been able to develop quite a few new skills through the challenges we have faced, in my opinion. For example, communication between us, especially for the chairs of the service, was improved after we found that we were a bit underprepared for certain sessions and could have used some better planning and prior information before going to the center. In another instance, there was an improvement in our skills of creativity and the confidence of actually putting up ideas to the rest of the group, as well as taking the incentive to create new plans for activities and to be open to criticism from the rest of the group members. We found this was a skill that arose as we grappled with the threat of having too little variety in our sessions, thus losing the interest of the elderly at the centre.

A big lesson that we learned towards the end of the CNY break, was that our actions have consequences; not to interpret this in a bad way, but we realised that especially with the elders we need to be more aware and informative about certain components of their culture that we may not be so familiar with. For example, during our CNY activity of creating cut out lanterns and colouring them, we did not realise that the colour white symbolised something negative in their culture and had to be informed by one of the centre workers. We realised that we need to be culturally ethical and culturally aware the next time that we do get the chance to visit the centre, because there may be parts of the culture we are visiting that we may not understand or may not be familiar with. Therefore, it is always useful to gain some prior knowledge and some awareness before we do try to plan any activities with the elderly from here on out.

LO 3 Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

LO 5 Demonstrate the skills and recognise the benefits of working collaboratively

During this period, we were really tasked with coming up with new ideas for activities to do with the elders at the centre. That is why one major outcome achieved during this first semester period was the ability to initiate and plan a CAS experience. We each have roles within the service, and by working together we were able to incorporate all our ideas into specific plans that catered to each of our responsibilities and put these to use during the time that we were there. For example, this was especially important during Christmas time where we planned to bring in colouring materials for Christmas themed colouring, as well as help set up the tree at the centre for the elders to enjoy throughout the Christmas break as well.

As mentioned before, we really had to work together to get these ideas moving because it would not have happened if we were not coordinating and cooperating well with one another. The benefits of working collaboratively were represented in the ways the elders reacted to us and the activities that we set up for them. They were reacting positively and really were involved in anything we would put on for them. For example, they would clap along every time we brought music and guitars to the centre, and they were actively working together and sharing materials and ideas between themselves during the colouring sessions as well. Working collaboratively meant that we could really come up with some good ideas to use as activities for them, and it showed when we were at the centre that our ideas were met with success.

LO 7 Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions

We were finally able to visit the facility, and by doing so we gained an insight into the different tools that our service partners employed in trying to create a more active and healthy lifestyle for the elders that come to these facilities. By making a visit here, we saw how some of these elders had certain disabilities or illnesses, or some had language issues and some trouble communicating with us. With this, I found it important to reflect on the choices that we will have to take when creating activities for the elders; what are some things we can do that can make the experience enjoyable for all?

I was also puzzled by this thought through my appointment as the communications chair of the service; how can I represent the service in a certain way on our blog page that is truthful of everyone there as well as insightful into what we do at this service and how we do it? When it comes to secondary representation, especially on the internet, people and organisations would like to be represented truthfully and I think that this is another important point to think about.

LO 6 Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

The service I chose to do this year focuses on an issue that hits very close to home for me; both my grandmothers live in another country and I do not get to see them a lot, and I know that they have a lot of difficulty in communicating with us overseas because of certain technology issues; it feels that they are very excluded from society because of the technological gap between our generation and them.

I realised that there is a certain level of inequality between of generations because of the speed at which technology has developed and the way in which globalisation has taken over the world; they are much more disconnected from society due to this. Recognising this as an issue, I decided to take on this service and I hope it will be a service where I am able to put my best social and communication skills to use.

Interacting with the pioneer generation of Singapore will give me a lot more perspective into the country I consider my home as well as make me feel as a more all rounded person in my opinion. I think that us interacting with the elders and taking appropriate action in the form of educating them through technology lessons as well as informing them of some of the “norms” of society today, will really be some great sessions that we could run in this service.

It will be extremely exciting and satisfying to see the interaction between different generations compared to the usual inequality and divide in society which is something I have noticed in Singapore; a local issue for now in my opinion, but something I am sure happens globally in other parts of the world as well.

As a bonus, we are also getting involved with a local, government subsidised organization in the form of the Salvation Army, so it is extremely wonderful to see how we are able to give back to the community that gives us so much, and the elders that were considered some of the people part of the society that made this country into what it is today.