Caregiver support fund, youth career programme launched in Marine Parade

Caregivers living in the cluster can receive support of up to $1,600 under the fund

- Shermaine Ang

Caregivers of elderly, sick or disabled family members living in the Marine Parade cluster can now get one-time support of up to $1,600 in cash, Grab vouchers and reimbursement for respite care with the introduction of a new fund.

Separately, a new career exposure programme will provide youth living in the area with hands-on career exploration and internship opportunities to prepare them for the workforce.

The two schemes were announced by Manpower Minister Tan See Leng and Culture, Community and Youth Minister Edwin Tong, both Marine Parade GRC MPs, on April 6 at an SG60 event for the cluster, held at Kampong Ubi Community Centre.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong was also at the event. Having grown up in Marine Parade, PM Wong said the area has transformed significantly.

"There is a lot we should be grateful for and cherish. Where things can be better, let us work together to make them better," he said. "And we know there are real concerns on the ground, for example, with cost of living, with other issues, and the Government will try our very best to address these concerns."

He said he was glad to see that national schemes to help with the cost of living, such as CDC vouchers and upcoming SG60 vouchers, are being complemented by local initiatives.

"We know the world is in a very challenging position now. (We) look around us and we know that there are dark clouds over the horizon, but just as we have overcome previous challenges all these last 60 years and more recently, tackling Covid-19 together, let us also draw strength from what we have been through together," PM Wong said.

"So whether it is at the government level, whether it is at the constituency level, let us continue to work together, overcoming our challenges and charting our new way forward."

The Marine Parade cluster consists of Braddell Heights, Geylang Serai, Joo Chiat, Kembangan-Chai Chee, Marine Parade, MacPherson and Mountbatten.