Pairing People With Mental Health Issues and Disabilities
With Volunteers
People struggling with mental health issues and disabilities can often feel isolated and lonely. Going out to see a concert, an art show or a movie is part of everyday life for many people but people with mental disabilities may need support to do this.
We pair people with mental health issues and disabilities with volunteers based on their mutual interests, such as tastes and hobbies. Through mentoring, our volunteers offer friendship and support by spending time with their mentees, first at the institutions where the mentees study or are a part of, and later on - with permission from the mentees' guardians - on outings and social activities they can enjoy together outside their homes.
According to the World Health Organisation,
1 in 4 people
will be affected by mental or neurological disorders
at some point in their lives.
450 million people
currently suffer from such conditions,
placing mental disorders among the leading causes
of ill-health and disability worldwide.
We may not be directly impacted, but we inevitably have someone in our close environment (family, friends, co-workers…) who may be affected. This is why it is high time to take a fresh look at this phenomenon, get rid of the taboos that surround it and find ways to support and make a difference. Indeed, when action meets compassion, lives change.
Our mission is to help people with mental health issues
and disabilities lead a happier & more fulfilled life.
About UsWe Can Be Heroes is a volunteer-based, non-profit association, headquartered in Singapore, committed to promoting the rights of people with mental health issues and disabilities to live a more enjoyable and fulfilled life. Building on a successful, on-going mentorship programme, which we set up a few years ago for underprivileged and troubled girls from Pertapis Home in Singapore, we wanted to take the learnings from this experience and extend our reach to support people with mental health issues and disabilities, while also involving male volunteers. We are all ordinary people who want to do extraordinary things and with such initiatives, We Can Be Heroes, together. |
How it Works1. As a first step, we organise a briefing for our new We Can Be Heroes Volunteers at one of our partners' venues, so as to outline what is to be expected and how to interact with mentees at those institutions. 2. Soon after, volunteers can join the planned group activities at those venues with their mentees. This usually takes the form of arts and crafts projects, reading, group icebreaker games and even dancing. Some activities may include planned outings at other venues such as bowling alleys, running tracks and nature reserves for hiking. 3. If a special bond forms between mentor and mentee, and if this is permitted by the mentee's guardian, then outings can be scheduled outside of the group activities. Once paired, our mentors and mentees can go to social events togethers a couple times a month for a year. |
Our Partners
We partner with well run institutions and schools in Singapore that have programmes in place providing care, guidance and special education to adults and children with special needs - including Language Delay, Language Disorder, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder, Developmental Delays and other Mental Health Disorders.
We believe mentoring could help people with mental health issues and disabilities by enhancing their inclusion in society. Mentors can serve as role models and share experiences while helping to support their mentees in their academic, career and psychosocial development.
We believe mentoring could help people with mental health issues and disabilities by enhancing their inclusion in society. Mentors can serve as role models and share experiences while helping to support their mentees in their academic, career and psychosocial development.
Meet Our Team
Our dedicated team are all volunteers themselves. Of various nationalities and backgrounds, they are united in their commitment and passion to making a difference and supporting people struggling with mental health issues and disabilities.
Christine Amour-Levar
Founder |
Shivani Hegde
Community Engagement Manager |
Suzannah Ritch
Special Education Advisor |
Vanessa Hamilton
Community Partner |
Richie Poulton
Wellness Advisor |
Frederique Bedos
Global Ambassador |
We Can Be Heroes, Together...
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CONTACT US
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