Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) announced a goal to increase its pool of regular volunteers from about 3,000 to 6,000 by 2030. This expansion aligns with a shift toward long-term volunteering focused on meaningful outcomes, trusted relationships, and community leadership to better address complex social challenges.
- Target to double regular volunteers by 2030
- Focus on sustained relationships with beneficiaries
- Encouragement for volunteer leadership roles
What happened
At the MSF Volunteer and Partner Awards in October 2026, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli detailed plans for scaling volunteer efforts to meet evolving social needs. The ministry seeks to grow its regular volunteer base from around 3,000 to 6,000 by 2030, responding to increasing demand across programs like befriending, mentoring, fostering, and family support.
This growth is accompanied by a strategic shift from short-term volunteer activities to sustained engagements designed to achieve specific social outcomes. Volunteer roles will be more outcome-focused, supporting efforts such as stabilizing families, aiding employment persistence, and guiding youth development, particularly through structured innovations like the Youth Home Mentors program.
Why it feels good
The new volunteer approach encourages deeper, ongoing relationships between volunteers and beneficiaries, fostering trust and continuity in support. This contributes to more meaningful change for individuals and families, recognizing that progress is often gradual and nonlinear. Long-term involvement helps provide encouragement through challenges and builds resilience.
Examples such as the enduring care of foster parents over two decades illustrate the positive impact of sustained volunteer dedication. These stable connections have enabled children with special needs to advance in education and therapy, underscoring how persistent support nurtures hope and growth. Volunteers become essential pillars that empower families to strengthen and succeed.
What to enjoy or watch next
With this expanded volunteer model, MSF will create more pathways for volunteers to not only serve but also guide and lead initiatives. Programs like Youth Home Mentors exemplify how experienced volunteers can play a bigger role in rehabilitation and reintegration, collaborating closely with professionals to support at-risk youth.
Looking ahead, pilot efforts like Transition Support Companions will integrate volunteers more thoroughly into service journeys, emphasizing trust and stability. As Singapore builds a stronger volunteer community centered on long-term impact, more individuals and families can expect comprehensive, compassionate support that evolves with their needs.