SINGAPORE – Aged 92, Madam Kwek Eng Noy uses her motorised wheelchair to go to the active ageing centre for karaoke sessions, or to navigate around her home to get chores done.

But like her frail body, the $1,500 mobility device has its limits.

After eight years, one of its levers came loose and would switch from automatic to manual mode on its own, requiring her to get help to adjust the lever.

However, thanks to a free wheelchair repair initiative at Geylang West Community Club (CC), located near her four-room flat at Kallang Heights, Madam Kwek is now mobile again.

On March 22, the CC became the first of 10 CCs to launch a dedicated collaborative space for residents, volunteers and partners to curate projects that address the community’s needs.

Such spaces are called “Sparks”.

The other nine CCs are: Pek Kio CC, Buangkok CC, Pasir Ris East CC, Nee Soon South CC, Zhenghua CC, Mountbatten CC, Kampong Chai Chee CC, Boon Lay CC, and Tengah CC. 

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, who is Deputy Chairman of the People’s Association (PA), on March 22 announced that the PA will support up to 50 initiatives under the Sparks umbrella over the next three years.

Speaking at the official opening of Sparks at Geylang West CC, he said each project will receive funding of up to $20,000, which means up to $1 million will be set aside in total.

Addressing the audience, Mr Tong said: “This is about helping you seed the initiative to allow you that little bit of support to make sure that that dollar goes further through the work and effort of all our volunteers.”

Each of the Sparks spaces will be staffed by a community innovation taskforce comprising three to eight grassroots leaders and partners who will formulate the activities at each CC’s innovation space.

On the need for such taskforces, Mr Tong said: “A space without soul, without leadership, without people, is only a space. This space is only viable if we can have a team that comes together, thinks about and brainstorms what it is that our community needs.”

The rolling out of such spaces at CCs was first announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the PA Community Club Management Committees (CCMCs) 60th anniversary on Nov 4, 2024.

He had said CCMCs must support...