Mr Koh leads the Jalan Jalan group through warm-up.
“1…2…3…4…5,” counts Ms Yeoh in Mandarin as Mr Koh leads a group of thirty plus seniors through a sequence of warm-up exercises, moving in sync.
It is just a little past 7 a.m. on a Tuesday, and these senior residents from the Hougang Dewcourt area are primed and ready for their weekly walk. Mr Koh, standing at the helm, appears pleasantly surprised by the great turnout given the recent heavy monsoon rains.
The Jalan Jalan group was started a little over a year ago by Mr Koh when he joined Fei Yue’s Active Ageing Centre (AAC) at Hougang Dewcourt as a volunteer. For Mr Koh, who has always been a fitness enthusiast, starting Jalan Jalan was a simple way to serve the senior residents in the area. Noticing that the AAC was already running programmes to promote seniors’ cognitive health, emotional well-being, and social connection, he thought a social walking group would complement these efforts perfectly.
Their regular walking route brings the seniors along the Serangoon Park Connector, where lush greenery and the serene Serangoon River provide an idyllic backdrop for a leisurely stroll. Conversations and shared laughter among regular walkers turned friends make the walk all the more delightful.
Although Mr Koh conceived the idea, his fellow volunteers have become integral to making the experience safe and inclusive for the seniors, who are mostly in their 70s and 80s, with the oldest member being 87. The volunteers watch out for participants at road crossings, guide them away from passing bicycles, and accompany those who walk at a slower pace.
Mdm Yeoh, who is almost 80, is one of the volunteers whose exuberance makes her the perfect cheerleader for the group. She slowly jogs around, initiating conversations, encouraging people to keep going, and drawing out some laughs. She expresses her gratitude for being fit enough to serve as one of the stewards of the group, supporting her peers who might need extra help. Fellow volunteers, Ms Loh, Ms Sia, Ms Chuan, and Ms Toh play a significant role in keeping the Jalan Jalan group running seamlessly as well.
The Jalan Jalan group also incentivises consistent participation by rewarding the regulars with subsidised social trips to attractions like Jewel Changi Airport, Botanic Gardens, and Pasir Ris Park. These celebratory outings deepen the camaraderie in the group and encourage participants’ commitment to these weekly walks.
Still, Mr Koh believes there is a simpler reason why the group has grown consistently and people have stuck around. “You see the volunteers? They are all very dedicated. And they do it from their heart…you love them (the participants) and care for them, they return the respect and all these things.”
For Mr Koh, volunteerism has always been a huge part of his life. Having been active with the Residents’ Network (formerly Residents’ Committee) and Community Centre, he was prompted by his exercise ‘khaki’ to look into serving senior citizens. Apart from running Jalan Jalan, Mr Koh also serves as a Neighbourhood Ambassador with Fei Yue, conducting welfare check-ins on seniors who may be isolated at home due to limited mobility, emotional distress, and other factors. He finds fulfilment in seeking out these individuals and letting them know there is a caring presence in the neighbourhood.
Mr Koh’s experience with volunteering has deepened his conviction that just a little effort goes a long way, and he is keen to serve as much as he can. “I find that this is something meaningful I can do,” he says with a smile.
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Volunteers play an important part in helping the Fei Yue Eldercare Division support more seniors in our community. Join us as a volunteer today to help seniors feel supported, valued, and empowered to lead better lives: https://get-involved.fycs.org/
