IMPORTANT: This is a year-long service-learning course. However, you can complete the service component whenever you meet the required number of service hours. Thus, you can enrol in this course even if you may likely be away during one of the semesters or the Special Terms for SEP, overseas internship, LoA, etc.
Special Requirement: Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident only, with valid SingPass account
Silver Generation Ambassadors (SGA) play a key role in promoting healthy ageing amongst seniors in Singapore by conducting preventive health visits to them in their homes. In this course, students will learn key concepts in volunteerism, and essential skills, such as communications, conflict management, outreach, persuasion, and motivation, to support their work as SGA. Students will engage seniors in assigned precinct, promote national support schemes and programmes, and encourage seniors to adopt good management practices for own health and well-being. This course is a collaboration with the Silver Generation Office (SGO), under the purview of Agency for Integrated Care (AIC).
Understand fundamental concepts of volunteerism: motivation & benefits, roles & impact, and ethical & good volunteering
Evaluate and apply general skills related to communications and collaboration, including empathy, active listening, conflict management, and self-awareness
Evaluate and apply engagement and persuasion skills in the SGO BELIEF framework (Break ice, Explore situation, Listen with empathy, Inform to educate, Evaluate & assure, Follow-up), and the Transtheoretical Model of health behavioural changes
Evaluate and apply the suitability of various national schemes to support seniors in healthcare; financial assistance; caregiving, home improvement & mobility; and retirement & care planning
Synthesise reflexive learning to develop character and empathy, fostering personal effectiveness
NIL
4 Units. As this course spreads over up to a year, it will count 2 Units in the first semester and the other 2 Units in the following semester.Thus, students can always register for these courses on top of their usual planned workload of 20 Units or so, without breaching workload cap per semester.
Grading.Graded. Students will be assigned an In-Progress (IP) grade in the first semester and will receive their final grade upon the completion of the course.
Delivery and Assessment. There are no final exams. Students are required to watch pre-recorded online lectures, attend three face-to-face tutorials, and carry out service work. They will be assessed through submitting a service portfolio. In addition, students will go through about 12-14 hours of AIC SGA training.
Commitment Duration. 60-80h of service work spread over one year, comprising of:
Scheduled door-to-door outreach to seniors at assigned service areas in 4-hourly sessions in pairs
Trainings conducted by Agency
Roles and Responsibilities. Students will conduct scheduled door-to-door outreach to seniors in pairs:
Build trust and rapport with seniors
Promote and communicate healthy lifestyle and good management practices for health and well-being through available governmental health and social support schemes, such as active ageing programmes, befriending services, care & support services, and digital tools & skills
Make notes of visits for SGO staff to follow-up with seniors
Service Work Requirements
Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident of Singapore, with valid SingPass account
Ability to speak basic Malay, Tamil, or Chinese dialects is a bonus but not a requirement
Service Work Locations (Updated for AY23/24 Sem 1)
Students may book their preferred service work location via DCR from the following service areas and timings here.Booking will be granted on a first come, first serve basis.
First Semester
Week
Event
0 - 1
Service Work Registration
After successful enrolment into the course, submit information needed for SGA registration via Qualtrics (link will provided).
Booking will be granted on a first come, first serve basis and students should study the possibilities (linked above) before DCR opens. Students will be prompted by email and uNivUS notification upon successful bookings.
Students will be contacted by AIC staff to register as SGAs online
Tutorial Registration
Students will register for a tutorial group via CourseReg, and can refer to NUSModsfor details.
1 - 4
Online Lectures
Students will complete pre-recorded online lectures to equip themselves with an understanding of the social landscape they are engaging and relevant skills for service work.
Agency Training
Students register for their preferred AIC training dates for the PHV via the DCR. In the event that students are unable to attend due to valid reasons, students are to approach their AIC supervisor for alternate dates.
Indicative Agency training schedule
Component
To take note
Introduction (E-video on Canvas)
Complete before PHV Training
Government schemes (E-learning)
Complete before starting OJT
Preventive Health Visit (PHV) training (1 session only)
Refer to the training locations and scheduled dates HERE
8h (9-6pm)
Induction & Role-play
Dates to be TBC
On-Job-Training (OJT)
Recess Week onwards
**The 60-80 service hours includes up to about 15 hours agency training (e-learning & F2F) and service work, spread out over up to one year.
Tutorials 1 & 2
Students will attend face-to-face tutorials in Weeks 3 and 4 on campus. Each tutorial is 2h in duration. The finalised service work locations will be announced by then.
7-13
Service Work
Students will pair up for outreach done in 4-hour blocks. The first few sessions will be mentored by a SGO staff or senior volunteer. NUS tutors may conduct an on-site check in with students.
Submission of mid-service reflection
Students will submit a reflection paper on their service experience thus far.
Second Semester
Week
Event
1-9
Service Work
Students will continue with their service sessions, which may extend into the Special Terms.
10
Tutorial 3
Students will attend a final tutorial on campus to share and reflect on their experiences, and wrap up the course.
13
Submission of Service Portfolio
Students will submit a service portfolio covering their entire service period.
Please click here for FAQ (frequently asked questions).
For further enquiries, please contact the GEN2061 team:
[Please note: GEN2061X is offered in Semester 1 of the Academic Year, and runs till the end of Special Term 2 of that Academic Year. GEN2061Yisoffered in Semester 2 of the Academic Year, and runs till the end of Semester 1 of the next Academic Year.]
