Since 2005, Catherine has been a dedicated volunteer at Bright Hill Evergreen Home (BHEH), supporting elderly residents across its Bishan, Senja, and Punggol locations. Her work involves coordinating activities and building meaningful connections. Through her experiences, Catherine has formed deep emotional bonds with residents, making her an integral part of their lives.
Read our interview with her below:
Evergreen: Please introduce yourself.
Hi, I’m Catherine. I began at BHEH Bishan in May 2005 and later moved to Senja when BHEH relocated for a few years while Punggol was being developed. For the first 10 years, I volunteered every Saturday afternoon. Due to work and family commitments, I reduced my volunteering to twice a month, and then the pandemic hit. Now, I volunteer once a month, but I’m still going strong! 😝
Evergreen: What motivates you to volunteer at BHEH?
I would say it’s a combination of self-motivation and the recognition of how important it is to teach my children to respect the elderly. Hence we began volunteering as a family of three at Bishan until BHEH relocated to Senja. After that, my children continued to participate in more school community projects, while I continued my volunteer work at Senja.
Volunteering offers personal benefits. It enables me to bond with my children through shared interests, teach them how to engage with seniors, discover our strengths and weaknesses, and learn from like-minded volunteers.
Evergreen: What has been the most rewarding part of your experience volunteering at a nursing home?
My mother passed away when I was young, and volunteering in a nursing home felt like returning home (回娘家). I shared my feelings with some of the female residents, and they immediately held my hand. That warm connection is something I’ll never forget. Even now, when I think of the aunties who touched my heart, tears still fill my eyes. I realized how much I enjoyed talking to the elderly, and how I was able to bring smiles and cheerful responses from them.
Evergreen: What are your hobbies outside of volunteering?
Chinese calligraphy, cooking and baking.
Evergreen: How would you approach a situation where a resident is upset or in distress?
It depends on the severity of the situation. If they suddenly cry, scream, or become violent, I step back and alert the nearby nurses. So far, I’m happy to say I can usually handle the situation by joking or distracting them. If that doesn’t work, I give them some space before approaching again. I believe that maintaining a positive attitude and smiling can help soothe them.
Evergreen: What do you think are the most important qualities a volunteer should have when working with elderly people?
Volunteers should stay true to their original intentions, dedicating their time and energy within their capabilities without expecting anything in return. I also believe that remaining at the same nursing home creates stronger cohesion with the residents and provides more effective benefits to them.
Back in those days, the cleanliness (often accompanied by the smell of urine on the floor) was a challenge, and volunteers came and went. Retaining them was tough. A special thanks goes to the dedicated volunteers who stuck it out during those times, even before I joined. 可以说、 能留下来真的不容易(包括我）。 对老人家的爱心战胜了一切！
Evergreen: If a resident could teach you one life lesson, what would you hope it would be?
Learning, finding self-worth, and appreciating one another. I saw the elders with disabilities struggling to write and color, yet their challenges didn’t stop them from pursuing their interests and happiness. Their determination and confidence inspired me to express my feelings through short poems. Many were also kind and helpful to their peers and volunteers. Even in a nursing home, we can bring joy by appreciating one another.
