In the first of two blogs, Cindy Chen from Promo Cymru talks about visiting youth centres in Singapore as part of a recent trip funded through our leadership bursary.
As the recipient of the WCVA Walter Dickie Leadership Bursary in 2024, I embarked on a learning journey to Singapore in 2025 to explore their approaches to youth engagement and youth work. I connected with youth centres, service providers, and passionate young leaders who are shaping the future of youth engagement in a rapidly digitising world.
DISCOVERING SOME OF SINGAPORE’S YOUTH CENTRES
I began my study visit by meeting with Youth Services Manager Joel Goh and Senior Youth Worker Charis Lim at Care Corner Youth Services (Woodlands), where they are based.
Located in a housing estate and next to a school, this centre is funded to support adolescents involved in minor offences (e.g. vandalism, theft) through a diversionary programme. It aims to equip youth with life skills and self-control, encourage responsible decision-making and help manage negative peer influences. Youth workers provide holistic support, involving families, schools, and employers to prevent young people from re-offending.
In addition to this, Care Corner Youth Services also delivers street-based youth work for adolescents who are disengaged from systems like family or school. Youth workers engage them in their preferred environments to understand their needs and guide them toward education and employment goals.
CHANGING THE COURSE OF A YOUNG PERSON’S LIFE
While sharing his experience, Joel offered a powerful insight, ‘to be a youth worker, you have to be creative. It’s incredible to have the opportunity to change the course of a young person’s life.’
Joel explained that, unlike in Wales where drop-in youth centres are common, youth programmes in Singapore are primarily issue-driven or project-based, with detached youth work being the main mode of engagement.
That said, drop-in youth centres do exist in Singapore. In fact, one of the largest and best-equipped centres, backed by substantial government funding, is located right in the heart of the city.
*SCAPE
*SCAPE is a space set up for young people nearly two decades ago, in the bustling retail district of Orchard Road. In March 2005, then Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, announced plans to transform a 1.2-hectare prime real estate into a dedicated space for youth. The move was in response to growing calls from young Singaporeans for a place they could call their own – for recreation, self-expression, and community.
It started with a skate park but it is now an impressive five-storey building to meet the evolving needs of young people. There are wide open spaces for young people to hang out with friends, studios and a theatre for hire and tables to read and work. There are youth targeted events taking place here every week.
A ONE STOP SHOP
Vincent Loh, Assistant Director of Engagement at *SCAPE, said, ‘*SCAPE offers open access for all young people in Singapore, regardless of their academic abilities.’
He explained that the youth centre is undergoing its third transformation in 20 years, and the refreshed *SCAPE is part of the SG Youth Plan, a five-year blueprint on how to support the nation’s youth.
By the end of this year, *SCAPE will be more than just a place to hang out. It aims to be a vibrant one-stop hub where young people can explore their passions, get support for mental well-being, take part in digital and AI training, and personal development programmes.
DELIVERING SUPPORT TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN THEIR SPACE
In recent years, *SCAPE has strategically curated its tenant mix to include organisations who deliver services for young people, reinforcing its goal to become an all-in-one youth space.
CHAT and grovve are two support services for young people that have chosen to set up offices here. CHAT is a mental health service for young people aged 16 to 30, established by Singapore’s Ministry of Health in 2009. It offers confidential mental health assessments, and mental health support over web chat and in-person sessions .
When I met with Yap Ming Hui, Senior Youth Support Worker, he told me to think of CHAT as Singapore’s ‘AAA’ battery for youth mental health. They are a group of healthcare professionals who help young people by raising awareness of mental health issues, promoting access to mental health resources and assessing young people’s mental health needs.
CHAT is tucked away in a discreet part of the building, which helps to create a sense of confidentiality and anonymity for those visiting. The space is warm and welcoming, with cozy sofas, refreshments, and private counselling rooms designed to make young people at ease.
SHARING INSPIRATION FROM WALES
During our conversation, I mentioned that CHAT reminded me of Meic, which also offers web chat support for young people. I gave an overview about the national helpline in Wales for children and young people up to the age of 25, delivered by ProMo Cymru on behalf of the Welsh Government. He was genuinely amazed to learn that young people in Wales can contact Meic about anything, unlike most helplines in Singapore, which tend to focus on specific issues.
Ming Hui then took me around the corner to visit grovve, Singapore’s first integrated wellness centre, designed by youths for youths. Established by the National Council of Social Service with partners SHINE Children and Youth Services, Brahm Centre, Limitless and TOUCH Community Services, this is a space where youth can relax, doodle, play games, and talk to youth workers.
Youth workers at Grovve showed me around and told me that this space was created after young people shared they experienced stigma around mental health. grovve’s goal is to help break down that stigma and build a more supportive environment. They wanted a safe, anonymous place where young people could get help without fear of judgement. It instantly reminded me of Platfform’s Hangout spaces in Cardiff and Barry, which are similar in purpose and spirit.
FIND OUT MORE
ProMo Cymru specialises in youth work, service design, and co-production. We focus on improving the lives and experiences of children and young people in Wales.
If you’d like to know how we can help you do this, talk to us: cindy@promo.cymru.
https://wcva.cymru/views/youth-work-in-singapore-lessons-for-wales/