A new initiative by NTUC Health is reshaping the way Singapore’s elderly engage with their community, particularly focusing on the design and function of active ageing centers. Announced on March 1, 2025, the Designing Together initiative invites seniors to take part alongside youthful volunteers from Youth Corps to collaborate on creating environments conducive to healthier, more active lifestyles for their peers.
At the heart of this initiative is Mr. Lim Gek Heng, 78, who, along with ten other elderly men, is learning to design facilities and activities suited to their needs. Notably, this approach aims to tackle the challenge of increasing male participation, as many active ageing programs tend to attract more women than men. Mr. Lim expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I really enjoy spending time with the young people to learn together and brainstorm ideas. They remind me of myself when I was young and they help me to be more open to new things." This sentiment reflects the broader intention of the initiative: to create spaces where interaction between generations is meaningful and beneficial.
NTUC Health CEO Chan Su Yee emphasized the importance of this inter-generational collaboration, noting, "Youth bring a lot of positivity and energy and this zest for life, which is really what we hope to ignite in seniors as well." The Designing Together initiative continues over five sessions until March 30, 2025, aiming to explore how to engage more of the elderly male demographic.
Currently, research shows seniors who participate in social and physical activities significantly reduce their risks of developing health problems such as dementia and heart disease. Yet, at some active ageing centers, male participation hovers around just 20%. This gender imbalance activates dire needs for solutions, with NTUC Health pushing for increased outreach and innovative programming.
The program was inaugurated at NTUC Health's newest active ageing center located at Block 424 Serangoon Central—a part of Singapore’s broader strategy to cater for its ageing population which is set to become “super-aged” by 2026. By then, more than 21% of the population will be 65 or older, and this demographic is projected to reach one-in-four citizens by 2030. Underlining its commitment, the government has pledged significant investment, setting aside $800 million over five years to expand active ageing centers.
Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, who officiated the opening, dubbed these centers as free "country clubs" for seniors. He highlighted the importance of well-structured activities enabling older individuals to age actively and with dignity. He remarked, "Active ageing centres are free 'country clubs' for seniors, with activities to allow them to age actively and with dignity," underscoring the need to create welcoming spaces for older citizens.
NTUC Health plans to extend the Designing Together program throughout its network of over 20 active ageing centers, with the Serangoon facility being the first of five new centers opening within 2025. The aim is to cultivate environments where seniors not only remain physically active but also enrich their social circles through various engagements, breaking down silos of isolation often found within aging communities.
These sessions—even with the challenges of engaging more senior men—echo the ethos of passionate community involvement, as observed during initiating activities like the Lego and coding programs launched last year. Such programs pair seniors with preschoolers to nurture digital literacy and facilitate cross-generational learning experiences.
The collaborative efforts of NTUC Health and its partners are particularly timely, considering the rapid demographic transitions anticipated. To date, 214 active ageing centers are operational out of the goal of 220 by the end of 2025, indicating strong government backing to create supportive infrastructures for its senior citizenry.
Amongst the engaging projects, seniors are encouraged to share their wisdom and experiences with younger generations, fostering empathy and strengthening the bonds between populations. The dual-focus strategy of promoting health and active involvement is seen as key to reducing the hurdles many elderly face, ranging from physical mobility to emotional connectivity.
The promise of active ageing programs, such as the Designing Together initiative, lies not only within the physical design of spaces but equally within empowering seniors to take charge of their own well-being. The interactive component between youthful exuberance and seasoned wisdom creates unique opportunities for enriching both sectors and cultivating healthier, more vibrant community links.