Over 3,500 healthcare youth volunteering opportunities created to contribute to the healthcare sector

MOU signed between Singapore General Hospital, Youth Corps Singapore and TriGen to benefit 20,000 patients after pilot study shows youth interactions shorten hospital stays for seniors with delirium, as part of the SG Youth Plan

Singapore General Hospital, Youth Corps Singapore and TriGen sign MOU to build a new Healthcare Volunteer Ecosystem for Youth

Singapore, 27 January 2026 – The Singapore General Hospital (SGH), Youth Corps Singapore (Youth Corps) which is part of the National Youth Council, and TriGen announced a first-of-its-kind three-year partnership to build a healthcare volunteer ecosystem for youths and launch a healthcare youth leaders training programme. This initiative is part of a larger SG Youth Plan (2026-2030) is designed to meet the aspirations and needs of young Singaporeans, one of which is to have more opportunities to give back to society and support areas of national need whilst delivering measurable healthcare outcomes.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was witnessed by Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and Senior Minister of State for Education. In support of the SG Youth Plan, the partnership enables youths to support healthcare professionals in delivering person-centred care through ward activities, accompany seniors on home visits and medical appointments, and providing therapeutic engagement that supports patient recovery. It creates over 3,500 training and volunteering opportunities and develops more than 200 youth leaders while benefiting at least 20,000 patients or residents across three key areas: Patient Care, Community Outreach, and Hospital Experience.

The MoU follows a successful six-week pilot conducted in June 2025 at a geriatric ward in SGH, where youth volunteers are trained to offer companionship and therapeutic support to seniors with dementia and/or delirium. The pilot involved more than 30 youth volunteers who engaged 40 seniors with dementia and/or delirium across three activities. The sessions were held three times a week, for about an hour each visit. One of the activities, ‘Move and Play’, was conducted with occupational therapists to encourage person-centred care and engagement. The other activity, ‘Stretch with Me’ supports movement and mobility, while ‘Joyful Connections’ engage patients through games and conversations to enhance wellbeing. Preliminary results from the pilot indicated that patients with both dementia and delirium who received volunteer engagement had an average hospital stay of nearly three days shorter than those who did not.

"We trained youth volunteers to provide re-orientation, companionship and guided activities to patients. During the pilot, the care team observed - that patients were more settled and attentive, with reduced distress and confusion, and better participation in therapy. These improvements then led to earlier recovery and discharge", said Dr Huang Xiaoting, Associate Consultant, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Singapore General Hospital and Director of Programmes, TriGen.

“Health is strongest when we act together. Through SGH’s partnership with Youth Corps and TriGen, we are welcoming the next generation into healthcare, guided by our healthcare professionals and anchored in evidence. When youths are oriented, mobilised and engaged to support our seniors, we see calmer recovery and shorter hospital stays. At the same time, our nurses and care teams find renewed purpose as they guide youths at the bedside, while patients benefit from meaningful engagement that supports earlier recovery and discharge. By building a structured youth-in-healthcare ecosystem across hospital and community, we are investing in a future-ready workforce”, said Associate Professor Low Lian Leng, Chairman, Division of Population Health and Integrated Care, Singapore General Hospital.

“The National Youth Council and Youth Corps empower young people to create meaningful change in their communities. This partnership with SGH and TriGen exemplifies our mission to build active citizenry and a caring, cohesive society through youth volunteerism. Our youths do not just support our seniors, they also learn essential healthcare skills from professionals, enhancing their ability to serve. We are committed to creating more opportunities like this through the SG Youth Plan, where young Singaporeans from all backgrounds can deepen their contribution towards the community whilst developing capabilities that address our nation’s evolving needs, to build a better Singapore together,” said Ms Angela Wong, Executive Director of Youth Corps.

“The transformative power of intergenerational connections lies at the heart of this initiative," said Dr Kennedy Ng, Clinical Director, Division of Population Health and Integrated Care, Singapore General Hospital, Co-Founder and Director, TriGen. "When young people and seniors come together in meaningful ways, barriers dissolve, stereotypes fade, and genuine human connections emerge. Our research consistently shows that these interactions don't just benefit individual participants; they create ripple effects that strengthen entire communities. Seniors feel valued and engaged, while young people develop empathy and wisdom that shapes them into more compassionate citizens. This isn't just about healthcare delivery - it's about reimagining how generations can support and learn from each other to build a more connected and inclusive society.”