Speeches
SPEECH BY DR KOH POH KOON, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF HEALTH & MINISTRY OF MANPOWER, AT RSVP SINGAPORE’S “STORIES THAT SHAPED OUR NATION”
24 October 2025
Ms Genevieve Chua, Chairperson of RSVP Singapore
Mr Mark Yuen, Chairman of the Fundraising Committee
Board members
Sponsors, Supporters, Distinguished Guests, Partners
And most importantly — our Senior Volunteers who are here with us tonight
1. Good evening. I am honoured to join you tonight at “Stories That Shaped Our Nation” — a heartfelt celebration of the legacies, contributions, and values passed down by our seniors. As we mark Singapore’s 60th anniversary, this milestone invites us not only to look back with gratitude for all the things our seniors have done, but to look forward with purpose — especially as we prepare for the realities of a super-aged society.
2. The Singapore we know today was built on the resilience, fortitude, hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance of our Pioneer and Merdeka generations. But beyond what they have done, our seniors still have so much more to give, and it is our collective responsibility to support them in doing so.
Singapore as a Super-aged Society and Shifting the Narrative
3. By 2026, Singapore will become a super-aged society, with 21% of its population above the age of 65. And by 2030, 1 in 4 amongst us will be above the age of 65 as well.
4. As the saying goes, age is just a number. Our seniors should not let age define the limits of their potential. Instead, we must reframe the thought of ageing as an opportunity — a stage of life for continued growth, contribution, and purpose. Just like a good bottle of whiskey, the older it is, the better it tastes. And in Chinese we say, 姜是越老越辣, the older ginger has a stronger flavour. So our seniors with years of experience going through some of the scrapes and tough episodes in life will bring with them a lot more experience, expertise and perspectives, which will make our lives more colourful as well.
5. Successful ageing extends to a large extent beyond healthcare to encompass a meaningful and fulfilling life. Ageing should be about living well, staying engaged, and continuing to contribute meaningfully. It is not about just adding more years to life, but we have to add more life to years as well. So it is really about ageing with purpose, not just with dignity, but with a sense of purpose.
6. Volunteerism is one way for them to do so. Studies have shown that volunteerism strengthens seniors’ sense of purpose while also benefiting them mentally and physically. Through volunteering, seniors can forge meaningful social connections with others, helping to reduce isolation. Volunteering also offers opportunities for seniors to learn new skills or even take on mentoring or teaching roles. Later on, as you watch some of the videos, you will see very good examples.
Ministry of Health’s Efforts to Help Seniors Age Well
7. Addressing the challenges of an ageing population requires a coordinated, whole-of-government approach. This is why the Ministry of Health (MOH) launched Age Well SG — to support our seniors to stay active and age well in their communities.
8. Volunteerism is a key pillar of Age Well SG. In 2024, we launched the "Silver Guardian" programme to create more opportunities for seniors to volunteer. This initiative aims to train and place volunteers known as “Silver Guardians” at the Active Ageing Centres (AACs), where they will support various activities such as befriending seniors and facilitating programmes. To date, we have more than 1,400 Silver Guardians volunteering at AACs. We are on track to achieve our goal of 2,400 Silver Guardians by 2028. And I hope with much of your encouragement, your “jio-ing” of your fellow seniors to come in, we will hopefully exceed those targets and surprise ourselves.
9. We recognise that our seniors have diverse interests and strengths. Many are eager to contribute to causes and areas that resonate with their skills, passions, and their experiences. Beyond volunteering opportunities at the AACs, the Council for Third Age Division (C3A) under Agency for Integrated Care also administers the “Enhanced Silver Volunteer Fund” (ESVF) to support Volunteer Host Organisations, many of whom are community-based organisations, to offer diverse, ground-up volunteering opportunities to better meet the diverse needs of our seniors.
The Role of Community and Partners
10. While programmes like Silver Guardian and ESVF provide a foundation to promote senior volunteerism, policy alone is not enough. We also need to build the “heartware” — the soul of this entire movement, the community fabric that holds us together. This is where organisations like RSVP Singapore play a pivotal role. RSVP Singapore has a large force of 3,600 active volunteers who champion ageing well and lifelong learning. In FY24/25, 775 RSVP volunteers contributed over 37,000 hours through impactful community service programmes that uplift persons with special needs, selected students, and fellow seniors. Anchored in its two core pillars — Learning and Health & Wellness — and supported by over 150 community partners, RSVP continues to make a meaningful difference across diverse communities.
11. RSVP has done good work in promoting senior volunteerism, and through doing so, support our seniors in leading a healthier and more engaged lifestyle. By creating meaningful platforms for seniors to continue contributing — mentoring the youth, supporting those with special needs, and championing active ageing — RSVP ensures that our seniors remain not only active, but deeply connected to society, to purpose, and of course to one another. And when seniors give back, their wisdom and lived experience ripple across generations.
12. A noteworthy example which harnesses the strengths and expertise of seniors is RSVP’s Smart Wellness Programme. RSVP developed this in partnership with Nunchi Marine, where RSVP’s trained Senior Volunteers serve as Health Advocates, sharing preventive healthcare knowledge in ways that are relatable to fellow seniors. Oftentimes, especially in healthcare, it is always better to get someone who has walked the journey, to share their experience with someone who has to go through the journey, because that is proof, that is experience, and that is convincing. Now this programme is into its second year, this multi-sector partnership brings together corporate resources, healthcare expertise, and the power of senior volunteerism to bring accessible and sustainable preventive healthcare into the heartlands, complementing the national Healthier SG rollout.
13. Such initiatives are excellent examples of how we can collectively shift mindsets and enable seniors to take charge of their own well-being and encourage fellow seniors to do the same.
Closing
14. I am heartened by RSVP's multifaceted efforts in empowering seniors, including organising this inaugural SG60 Filmmaking Competition, that spotlights inspiring stories of intergenerational bonds, lifelong learning and the community spirit of active ageing – told through the experience and the lenses and the eyes of seniors themselves. Let me congratulate the participants for even making the attempt to do this, something which I am not sure many young people will be able to do as well – filmmaking. And of course, let me congratulate the winners for emerging victorious in this competition. Your short films are a fitting gift to our nation — and a powerful reminder that everyone, regardless of age, has a story worth telling. The stories of SG60 are made more meaningful by your stories, because this is your lived experience in 60 years of Singapore’s growth and journey.
15. Ageing is not just a burden to bear, but a journey to embrace. To do so meaningfully, it will take all of us — government, community, businesses, social partners and individuals like yourselves here — working together. Now we all will age one day, it is a part and parcel of life’s journey.
16. Let us continue to build a Singapore where every senior is celebrated, where every contribution is valued, and where ageing is not the end of a journey, but a new chapter of purpose.
17. Thank you for having me here this evening, and I wish you all a meaningful evening and a wonderful one as well.