Good afternoon caregivers and supporters, fellow Board Advisors and Members, and our invited guests,
We are gathered here today at the launch of The Healing Journal: A Caregiver’s Path to Self-Care and our CAREforward event, to celebrate the caregivers in our community.
The concept of CAREforward is a call to action for all of us to care-it-forward, empower and uplift one another.
Seeing all the amazing caregivers here today, you are living reminders that a caregiver also has the capacity to grow, to mentor, to contribute their strengths and experiences to the community, just as you have.
Yet many caregivers find themselves lost in the overwhelming flurry of caregiving duties and decisions, hurt and isolated by unkind expectations and judgment, and in despair when their efforts are unable to show fruit.
How can we rally to reach them where they are, and support them in their healing journey?
One way is to make caregiving resources more widely available. The Healing Journal, thoughtfully crafted by caregivers, provides practical tools and reflective exercises to help caregivers:
The inspiration behind The Healing Journal came from the caregivers who formed support groups that offer emotional support, shared experiences, and caregiving resources. All these are woven into this journal to help caregivers create their own personalised self-care toolkits and bring forth opportunities to heal.
No matter where you are on your journey, The Healing Journal is designed to help you understand your own needs better, find new ways to care for yourself, and access resources that can make a real difference in your life.
Every caregiver can touch the lives of many more. With your support, be it through contributing your support or volunteering, you can help caregivers be well and empowered.
Thank you for being here today, for your belief in the power of caregivers and the community. Please enjoy the CAREforward event and visit the CaringSG booth to learn how you can make a difference!
On 17 April 2025, CaringSG hosted a deeply meaningful Self-Care Workshop facilitated by Julia Chan—caregiver, certified mental wellness coach, and author of The Healing Journal: A Caregiver’s Path to Self-Care. With a nurturing approach shaped by her own lived experiences, Julia guided participants through practical tools to better care for themselves while supporting their loved ones.
A big part of the joy in caregiving for children comes from being made to see things from a fresh child-like perspective. Teaching autistic children requires one to go beyond that. Often, one has to tap on that perspective and the child’s interest to engage them in learning about our neurotypical world. This is the story of Eliz’s creative teaching journey inspired by her fostered child, Eugene.
A big part of the joy in caregiving for children comes from being made to see things from a fresh child-like perspective. Teaching autistic children requires one to go beyond that. Often, one has to tap on that perspective and the child’s interest to engage them in learning about our neurotypical world. This is the story of Eliz’s creative teaching journey inspired by her fostered child, Eugene.
A big part of the joy in caregiving for children comes from being made to see things from a fresh child-like perspective. Teaching autistic children requires one to go beyond that. Often, one has to tap on that perspective and the child’s interest to engage them in learning about our neurotypical world. This is the story of Eliz’s creative teaching journey inspired by her fostered child, Eugene.
I am sitting down to write this six days after I met Wendy, Mummy to an autistic daughter, over lunch. Looking at the notes I scribbled from our chat, the few words that popped up in my mind? ‘My learning journey’. This is Wendy’s learning journey as a caregiver.
When Carrie first heard her son’s autism diagnosis at age three, she was overwhelmed with questions and uncertainty. But through determination, early intervention, and unwavering support from her husband, she found a path forward—guided, unexpectedly, by her son Ethan’s deep love for trains. From Thomas & Friends to trainspotting in Switzerland, this is a heartfelt story of a family’s journey, resilience, and the power of embracing a child’s special interests.
