Volunteering in Singapore: Where to lend a hand!

Whether you’ve got a few extra hours on your hands between school drop offs, or you’re keen to devote some more time to helping others, there’s plenty of volunteering opportunities available in Singapore. From homeless puppies needing love and affection, to organizations that assist underprivileged families, we’ve put together a handy list of associations who are always looking for volunteers.

Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA)
Providing services to children with special needs, the elderly and their caregivers, as well as underprivileged families, this voluntary welfare organisation currently has 9,000 volunteers on their books, and they’re regularly on the look out for extra hands to help with their various activities!

Join AWWA

Singapore Red Cross Society
Delivering first aid training courses, and other vital humanitarian services, Red Cross’ volunteers are trained with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver important services to the community (such as food aid, blood donation and much more!)… and they’re always looking for volunteers to help them make a difference in the lives of other people.

Join Singapore Red Cross Society

Friends of the Library
Sign up as a volunteer with the National Library Board’s Friends of the Library programme and you’ll find yourself engaged in a variety of activities, including storytelling and craft sessions for little ones, weekly reading clubs for kids from lower income families, as well as library user education classes and much more! You might even find yourself putting your event management skills to good use by helping out with their annual Asian Children’s Festival.

Join FOL

Friends of the Museums
If you’re a closet art or history lover looking to join an active cultural volunteer organization, then definitely throw your hat in to help as part of the Friends of the Museum programme. With more than 2000 members and docents at seven of Singapore’s world-class museums on the books, you’ll have a ball learning more about our nation’s history (as you help out, of course!).

Join FOM

Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE)
Singapore’s leading gender equality advocacy group, AWARE’s volunteers are involved in many of their projects and activities, and you’re invited to join them by registering your interest at their website.

Join AWARE

ONE Singapore
Dedicated to raising public awareness about poverty, ONE Singapore links corporate and non-profit partners in a variety of projects that support their ultimate goal of putting an end to poverty and inequality. From reporters and writers to online store volunteers, administration support and community networking…  ONE is constantly looking volunteers for a range of different roles (with varying levels of commitment depending on how much free time you’ve got on your hands).

Join ONE Singapore

Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD)
Helping improve the welfare of stray and abandoned pooches in Singapore, ASD uses its volunteers to help foster needy pups, fundraise for the foundation, and assist at their Adoption and Rescue Centre.

Join ASD

Cat Welfare Society (CWS)
If you want to help needy kittens and improve the welfare of cats in Singapore at the same time, try volunteering at Cat Welfare Society mama… it’s the purr-fect way to get involved.

Join CWS

Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (ACRES)
ACRES focuses on six main areas: tackling wildlife crime, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, zoo animal welfare, humane education, community outreach and promoting cruelty-free living for our furry friends. Volunteers can join one or more of their programmes and help out as a wildlife guardian, a wildlife rescuer, or take part in their community outreach, education or fundraising activities.

Join ACRES

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
The SPCA is another non-government animal welfare charity, that is constantly on the hunt for helping hands to assist with their various welfare programmes.

Join SPCA

Melrose Home Children’s Aid Society
Established in the late 1890s, Melrose Home is one of Singapore’s oldest philanthropic organisations, providing a supportive environment for children 3 to 18 years old, needing care and protection in a residential setting. Volunteering duties include tutoring and mentoring as well as administrative support in the office.

Join Melrose Home

HOME
Home is an anti-trafficking organisation who works in close collaboration with the government and civil societies in the global combat against human trafficking, labour exploitation and AIDS. If you’re passionate about defending freedom, justice and human rights, you’ll enjoy lending a hand at Home.

Join Home

Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN)
The Association for Persons with Special Needs provides educational, training and support services for people with special needs, where volunteers help in the running of their daily school and ad hoc activities (such as administration support or as guides during educational field trips).

Join APSN

Riding for the Disabled Association Singapore
RDA provides free, therapeutic horse riding lessons to children and adults with disabilities, and they welcome volunteers to assist as side-walkers or to help run training days in March and September each year. No horse experience is necessary, as the main job is to walk beside the horse, guiding and motivating the rider to achieve the tasks and activities set by the instructor. Giddy up!

Join RDA

Club Rainbow
Established in 1992, Club Rainbow provides a range of free services to children and youths suffering from chronic and potentially life-threatening illnesses. From a volunteer-based befriended network, to counselling, tutoring, and the Camp Rainbow planning service, they’ve plenty of project-based services you can help out with mama!

Join Club Rainbow

Make A Wish Singapore
Since its establishment in Singapore in 2003, the Make A Wish foundation has granted nearly 1000 magical wishes to littlies with life-threatening medical conditions. Volunteers can either sign up for general volunteering opportunities (like helping in their office) or train to be a qualified wish granter instead.

Join Make A Wish Singapore

Habitat for Humanity
A non-profit housing organisation that operates with the ultimate goal to eliminate housing poverty by building simple, decent houses for in-need families, Habitat for Humanity’s volunteer programmes offer a series of short-term trips ranging from one day to two weeks for you to get involved in.

Join Habitat for Humanity

Caring for Cambodia
This non-for-profit organisation works tirelessly to secure a better future for children in Cambodia through education, health care and general wellness programmes, and they always welcome enthusiastic volunteers of any background to join them in their efforts.

Join Caring for Cambodia

Expatgiving
Run by a team of dedicated female volunteers, Expatgiving is an online portal for expats living in Singapore to find volunteer opportunities that better the community.

Join Expatgiving

UN Women Singapore
If you’re passionate about gender equality and female empowerment, and have the right skill set (and passion!) to support the Singapore Committee for UN Women’s goals, then definitely consider dropping them a note mama — their volunteers are an important part in the success of their campaigns. 

Join UN Women