PAP vows bigger support net for PWDs and caregivers

Election energy: Workers’ Party supporters attending a rally ahead of the general election in Singapore. The party is a major social democratic political party in the city-state and one of the three political parties represented in Parliament, alongside the governing People’s Action Party and the opposition Progress Singapore Party. — Reuters

More help will be on the way for caregivers and people with disabilities (PWDs) in Singapore’s west, should the PAP team win the West Coast-Jurong West GRC at the May 3 general election.

The proposals, which the team released in a media statement yesterday, include a job-matching pilot for PWDs and an expansion of peer support efforts for caregivers.

These are part of the team’s broader push to build a more ca­ring and inclusive society, which is one of the key pillars in its manifesto for the constituency.

Minister for National Deve­lopment Desmond Lee, who is leading the PAP slate in the GRC, said the team intends to scale up proven ground-up efforts such as those in Boon Lay, West Coast, and Nanyang.

“If given the opportunity to serve, our plan is to build on the existing programmes across the five divisions and Pioneer, and pilot new initiatives, such as this one in Nanyang, to benefit our residents,” said Lee, who is also the Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration.

He was referring to the Family of Purple Heart programme, which was introduced in Nanyang to provide emotional and mental health support for caregivers.

According to the team’s statement, the candidates plan to work with social service partners to expand outreach efforts in all divisions in the GRC and neighbouring Pioneer SMC, especially to caregivers who have yet to be connected with formal support services.

The team also plans to launch a year-long pilot programme to boost employment for PWDs in the region.

Ang Wei Neng, the incumbent MP for Nanyang and a candidate in West Coast–Jurong West GRC, said the employment pilot builds on the team’s track record of supporting caregivers and seeks to create more meaningful opportunities for families to thrive.

“Through Family of Purple Heart, we saw how a little support can transform lives,” he said.

“This new partnership takes us one step further, giving persons with disabilities and their families a real chance to thrive in meaningful work, while strengthening the spirit of care and inclusion in our community.” — The Straits Times/ANN