Recently I was invited to a Luncheon organised by APSN (Association For Persons with Special Needs), located at 11 Jalan Ubi, aka Kembangan Chai Chee Community Hub. It is only a 8min walk from Eunos MRT. For drivers, it has ample parking space that lets you park complimentary.
Andes by Astons has come forward as a partner to create the opportunity and a conducive environment for the trainees to undergo FNB training, as well as acquire industry-standard service experience to better hone the trainees’ competencies. Once the trainees are well-equip with the relevant skills, they can be formally employed and better provide for themselves.
Generally, the trainees may have mood fluctuations, can be easily distracted and become temperamental when they experience changes in their routine. Some of them tend to take promises seriously and may brood over casual remarks for a long period of time. The centre’s trainers job here is to design customised learning methods for the trainees to understand the tasks at hand, interpret and receive the feedback along the way. They too, like us require guidance and support from time to time. The bridge to gap here is for us to understand and receive them and vice versa.
Some of the trainees who are interested in photography went outdoors for a photo spree and came back with facets of their vision.
In collaboration with Omno, our APSN trainees take part in various hands-on activities such as bottling, packing, and candle-making, gaining valuable experience in product assembly and craftsmanship. To date, more than 60 trainees from the APSN Centre for Adults have actively participated in the contract work programme.
APSN trainees also play an active role in sorting, cleaning, organising, and labelling fashion items for reuse, up-cycling, and recycling as part of our partnership with Cloop. This initiative not only promotes sustainability but also helps trainees build essential organisational and teamwork skills. Cloop’s founders, Ms. Jasmine Tuan and Ms. Tan Yin Ling, expressed their pride in partnering with APSN, noting that the collaboration with their trainees has greatly improved the efficiency of their sorting processes. They added, “This partnership is more than just about streamlining operations; it reflects our shared commitment to making a meaningful impact. By involving individuals with special needs, we’re not only closing the fashion loop but also empowering them with valuable skills and purposeful work. Together with APSN, we are demonstrating that sustainable solutions are achievable when communities and organisations unite for a common cause.”
APSN also teamed up with A11yverse to create a virtual version of the APSN Café for All. In this metaverse environment, trainees and instructors appear as Non-Playing Characters (NPCs), allowing users to participate in café-themed activities, such as serving drinks. Additionally, with guidance from A11yverse, our trainees have successfully created their own non-fungible token (NFT). NFTs are unique digital assets stored on the blockchain, such as artwork, media, or other digital content. This initiative expands the opportunities for training and makes learning more engaging and accessible through interactive digital experiences.
Mr Alvin Yapp, the founder of BusAds, provides APSN trainees with higher support needs hands-on work such as removing decals from vehicles. This collaboration not only helps develop practical skills such as decal removal and surface cleaning but also opens doors to future employment opportunities.
In partnership with Wildness Asia, APSN trainees are involved in producing organic chocolate, using sustainable packaging, soy ink, and biodegradable wraps. This initiative allows trainees to apply their skills in a practical environment, offering valuable hands-on experience that strengthens their workforce readiness and builds confidence in their abilities. it was pretty tasty!
The centre looks quiet from the outside but after the tour, I was impressed by the level of activity that is happening all around. More so by the partners and collaborators who chose to step up and make a difference for the Special Needs trainees, they have to figure new and uncommon ways to engage, and to pass on essential skills in order to benefit the beneficiaries.
Big thanks to Mr Philip Li and his team for having us and offering a fresh perspective that we too can learn something from.
“Here are some Christmas offerings from APSN that you may like to consider!”
