2013: When you are old Campaign
More than 100 YAH! seniors together with teenagers from Republic Polytechnic staged a flash mob at Jurong Point Shopping Centre to mark the start of our social movement, “When you are Old” on 13 October 2013.
Organised by YAH!, the movement aims to challenge and change society’s perception of seniors. As the pioneering eldercare non-profit organisation that provides learning opportunities since 2005, YAH! has also been an advocate for the seniors. Through launches publicity platforms, it encourages the public to take time to acknowledge the contributions of seniors as well as celebrate the bonding across generations.
A month-long exhibition was set-up at Jurong Point Shopping Centre. Members of the public were invited pen personal messages to the seniors in their lives and share snippets of their stories. These messages were displayed at the shopping centre’s level 1 atrium for over two months, leading up to the Grandparents’ Day on 24 November 2013.
Mr Samuel Ng, Principal of YAH! said, “The inaccurate and negative perceptions of ageing influence the way older people think about themselves. It also stops us from recognising how they had lived with tenacity and vigour after facing many challenges and the important lessons they can teach us. Through this campaign, we hope to encourage young people to speak to their seniors and share their stories.
Among the dancers in the flash mob was retired businessman Mr Cheong Choon Hee, who was celebrating his 76th birthday and his family members.
Mr Cheong graduated from YAH! in 2009 and has been actively volunteering with its Social Action programme, organisings events which give back to the community. Mr Cheong said, “I feel like I’m getting to know a new side of myself, doing these hip-hop moves with the young generation. With my family’s support, I want to show that ageing isn’t about slowing down, but having new opportunities to inspire positive change in our community.”
Watch the “When you are old’ movement video here.