On 21st February 2025, the CaringSG Board gathered for our annual retreat—a significant milestone as we mark five years of impact in supporting caregivers. This retreat was a dedicated time for reflection, assessment, and strategic planning for the future. It was an opportunity to pause, take stock of our progress, and ask ourselves the critical questions that will shape the next phase of our journey.
Over the past five years, CaringSG has grown into a strong and resilient organization, building a foundation of support for caregivers and their families. However, growth also comes with challenges, and this retreat was a chance to critically evaluate our efforts.
We reflected on key questions that guided our discussions:
– What initiatives have been most effective, and are they still relevant?
– Where do we fall short in our support systems, and how can we improve?
– What challenges have we encountered, and how do we turn them into opportunities?
By looking at our progress with honesty and openness, we gained valuable insights into what has worked and what needs to evolve to better serve our community.
At CaringSG, we recognize that true impact comes from continuous learning and innovation. This retreat was more than just a reflection—it was a forward-looking session aimed at strengthening our programmes, refining our strategies, and improving our outreach.
Our discussions centered on three key areas:
– Enhancing caregiver support through innovative approaches that address emerging needs.
– Strengthening internal structures to ensure long-term sustainability and effectiveness.
– Expanding our impact by identifying new ways to support caregivers and their families.
Through these focused conversations, we reaffirmed our commitment to not just sustaining our efforts, but elevating them to make a deeper and more lasting impact.
With a clearer understanding of our strengths and challenges, we shifted our focus to the road ahead. Guided by our Board Chair, Dr. David Ang, we explored key strategies to enhance our reach and relevance in the ever-evolving caregiving ecosystem.
Key priorities emerged from our discussions:
> Building stronger partnerships to extend our resources and amplify our efforts.
> Expanding accessibility to ensure more caregivers can benefit from our programmes and services.
> Future-proofing CaringSG by staying adaptable and responsive to the needs of caregivers.
This retreat served as an important reminder that our work is never static—it evolves, adapts, and grows alongside the caregivers we serve.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple but powerful mission: to uplift, empower, and support caregivers. As we move forward, our commitment remains unwavering.
We extend our gratitude to our Board members, partners, and the entire CaringSG community for your dedication and shared vision. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive caregiving ecosystem.
The journey does not end here—it is only the beginning of another chapter.
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.
