Auntie Angie hadn’t been joining excursions. The Home’s Operations and Volunteer Management Manager, Ms Wilma Ng asked if she would like to go for a luncheon hosted by external sponsors. Auntie Angie pondered and replied she would only if someone helped her up the stairs. Wilma personally saw to it that Auntie Angie's request was followed, and since then, Auntie Angie had been enjoying outings with our Home and volunteers.
A listening ear is what Ms Wilma Ng primarily provides for the elderly, although she is currently the Operations Manager at St John’s Home. She feels that many people find it difficult to communicate with the elderly, but all they need someone who will pay them attention sincerely. Wilma says, “Be patient and open, that is key to their opening the elderly’s heart.”
Her job however involves a lot more than that. Wilma has over 30 years of industry experience and has been with SJHEP for 3 years. Her duties cover Operations, Administration and Volunteer Management.
She also finds organising activities and connecting with the seniors very fulfilling, like singing, Bingo!, arts and craft, etc. It is her firm belief that although seniors have years of life experiences, they still enjoy the opportunity to communicate and learn from others.
As such, Wilma often invites corporations and individuals to hold singing activities or take them out for a walk.
“There are times that the elderly would whine about the space constraints of the facility, but all this will change soon,” Wilma shared enthusiastically.
St. John's Home for Elderly Persons is building a new facility that can accommodate 150 elderlies. In order to make the elderly residents feel at home, the new building will expand vertically to a five-storey building as well as featuring a variety of activity rooms.
To fundraise this project, the annual charity dinner of the Home will be held on August 24th, 2019. To donate, visit www.giving.sg/StJohnsHomeSg/GD2019
Contributor = Tan Huixian
