Heguru × Giveinstead.sg: Ushering in the Year of the Horse with Seniors at Care Corner

Laughter and cheerful banter filled the air as the happy seniors at Care Corner Active Ageing Centre streamed into the Centre for a morning of festivities. This year, Giveinstead.sg is honoured to partner with the Heguru teachers and students to organise a fun and meaningful Chinese New Year celebration for seniors at the Centre. With the enthusiastic and talented volunteers from Heguru joining us, the afternoon was filled with laughter, music, and connection.

Chinese New Year is a time for reunion, warmth, and renewal, and this year, we were grateful to celebrate it in the most meaningful way possible.

We began the afternoon with a traditional bai nian, offering festive greetings and well-wishes to the seniors. And the volunteers surprised the seniors with personalised gifts they had made at home, from crocheted stuffed toys, cards, origami creations, to paper lanterns and beaded bracelets. The seniors looked very happy and touched by the thoughtful gesture, and they carefully put the items away to bring home.

Next, the seniors and volunteers sat side by side, making lanterns from red packets and oranges from plastic mesh tubes. The shared concentration and encouragement between generations made the activity especially meaningful. While the volunteers patiently guided and assisted, seniors shared stories and gentle humour in return.

After spending time absorbed in their crafts, everyone was ready for a treat and received it with great appreciation. As they enjoyed the refreshments together, conversation flowed easily. Time flew as they exchanged casual conversation about their daily lives, shared stories from decades past, and reminisced about old New Year traditions and childhood celebrations.

The highlight of the afternoon was a lively Chinese New Year sing-along. Armed with small handbells and maracas, volunteers and seniors filled the room with familiar festive tunes. Some seniors sang enthusiastically from memory; others clapped along with big smiles. Goodwill and warmth filled the room; it felt almost like a big family gathering.

The morning ended with photo-taking capturing joyful group shots.

A heartfelt thank you to Heguru’s teachers and students for volunteering their time and energy, and to the Care Corner team for welcoming us so warmly. We are very grateful for the opportunity to celebrate this Chinese New Year with you and are reminded that kindness bridges every generation.

新年快乐! May the year ahead be filled with health, warmth, and many more moments of togetherness!