MSF Transforms Volunteerism, Expanding Opportunities to Contribute, Lead and Journey with Individuals and Families
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The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) is strengthening volunteer partnerships across its programmes and services, creating more opportunities for volunteers to journey alongside families, support meaningful outcomes, and contribute to stronger communities. As social needs become increasingly complex, individuals and families benefit from a stronger network of support that bring together volunteers, communities, professionals and families. This is part of a whole-of-society effort to achieve better outcomes for individuals and families.
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At the MSF Volunteer and Partner Awards (MVPA) 2026, MSF conferred 266 awards in recognition of volunteers and partners whose contributions exemplify the spirit of Better Starts with Us.
Strengthening volunteer partnerships for better outcomes
3. Building on volunteers’ contributions to support individuals and families, MSF is strengthening volunteer pathways: enabling volunteers to build deeper relationships with individuals and families over time and creating more opportunities for experienced volunteers to lead and shape programmes.
4. Volunteer roles will increasingly focus on helping individuals achieve meaningful progress and positive outcomes. One example is the Youth Home Mentors initiative at the Singapore Boys’ Home and Singapore Girls’ Home. Working alongside Youth Home staff, mentors support youths in building on their strengths, working towards personal goals, strengthening confidence and positive relationships, and navigating a successful transition back into the community and reduce the risk of reoffending.
5. Second, MSF is creating more opportunities for volunteers to build trusted relationships with children and families, and to journey alongside them overtime. These relationships can strengthen resilience, provide encouragement during challenging periods and help families draw on their strengths and support networks. In the child protection space, volunteers are being integrated more closely into the service journey in two ways. First, (a) under Project Care, students who are pursuing or have completed master’s-level counselling programmes provide counselling-informed support to help families process their emotions, better understand their children’s needs and behaviours, and build confidence in parenting and care. (b) Second, a Transition Support Companions serve as a stable and trusted adults for children and young persons in Out-of-Home Care as they move across care settings. These volunteers provide continuity and emotional support during key transition periods, helping children adapt to new environments and relationships, while strengthening placement stability and reunification efforts. The MSFCare Network has begun piloting these two programmes and plans to expand to 300 volunteers by 2027.
6. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how volunteers strengthen continuity of support for children and families while complementing the work of professional teams. They show how volunteers can become a consistent source of encouragement, stability and hope during some of life’s most difficult transitions.
7. Third, MSF will create more opportunities for experienced volunteers to lead, mentor newer volunteers and help shape programmes. This reflects a broader shift towards recognising volunteers as partners who bring valuable experience, networks and ideas that can strengthen outcomes for individuals and families.
8. This approach is already taking shape through the Families for Life Volunteer Leaders Network, where 60 Volunteer Leaders co-create and lead initiatives that strengthen families and community support, such as the Marriage Support Group and the National Family Festival. MSF is also creating more opportunities for experienced ComLink+ volunteer befrienders to support families more independently, enabling Family Coaches to focus more attention on those with complex needs.
Celebrating contributions and growing our volunteer community
9. The strengthening of volunteer partnerships builds on the dedication of volunteers and partners who have contributed significantly to Singapore's social service sector over the years. At MVPA 2026, MSF recognised outstanding volunteers, partners and agencies for their contributions, including Mrs Mildred Tan-Sim Beng Mei, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her longstanding service in advancing women’s development, strengthening families and supporting measures to protect vulnerable individuals. Details of the full list of MVPA 2026 Award Recipients can be found in the Annex.
10. As volunteer opportunities expand across areas such as befriending, mentoring, fostering and family support, MSF expects to require around 3,000 additional regular volunteers by 2030. Members of the public and organisations who wish to contribute may visit https://www.msf.gov.sg/what-we-do/volunteer/home for more information.