Earlier this month, I had the privilege of facilitating a three-day Caregiver Learning Journey with a group of bright, driven youth leaders as part of the National Youth Council’s Leaders Course.
Over just a few days, we covered topics that many of us haven’t had the chance, or pause, to think about:
- What does caregiving look like?
- Who are the individuals sustaining this hidden system of care?
- And most importantly, how will our youth contribute to the solution for the years ahead?
Grounding youth in reality
Caregiving is often invisible, not by design, but by culture. It happens quietly in HDB flats, at the corner of daycare centres, through WhatsApp messages late at night when someone is unsure what to do for a parent, a grandparent, or a neighbour.
This journey gave young leaders the chance to step into that world, not just through theory, but through action. We visited Nee Soon South, Singapore’s first dementia-friendly estate, explored the Age+ Living Lab, and heard directly from caregivers and social service agencies who show up every day without applause.
What stood out wasn’t just what the youth learned but what they asked:
“How can we make this system more accessible?”
“Why don’t more people know about these services?”
“Where can we volunteer?”
These questions weren’t scripted. They came from a place of genuine concern and curiosity, and to me, they represent the beginning of leadership rooted in empathy.
What will caregiving look like in 10 years?
We often think of caregiving as something reactive, something that happens to us when a loved one falls ill or grows old. But in a rapidly ageing society like Singapore, caregiving is becoming a national conversation. It’s no longer just about family; it’s about population health.
So we have to ask:
- Who will be providing care in 2035?
- What role will youth, our next generation of leaders, play in supporting a more connected, compassionate system?
- How do we design digital tools, policies, and communities that actually work for those doing the hard work of care?
At SG Assist, part of the answer lies in preparing the ground now, which means investing in youth who see caregiving not as a burden but as a shared responsibility. We don’t just need more services; we need better ones. We need more understanding.
Building future-ready youth through reflection and connection
Their 3-day programme wasn’t just about site visits and information-sharing; it was deeply personal. It began with building trust and forming real connections, especially beyond their usual social circles.
From there, the group moved into deeper reflection, considering the values they hold today and the values they wish to carry forward into the future. By the final day, they were exploring what it truly means to be stewards of Singapore’s future, not just in theory but in real, grounded practice.
And here’s the truth: they showed up with heart. At the closing ceremony, you could feel it; the emotion in the room was palpable. It was no longer about frameworks or policy. It had become about purpose. About the decision to care. And about understanding that real leadership starts with listening.
In a world that moves quickly, it’s easy to lose sight of why we do what we do. This programme was a reminder for me and hopefully for everyone who took part that we need to take time to reflect on the following:
- What is my purpose? Not just in a big-picture way but in the everyday choices I make.
- How am I impacting others — whether I realise it or not?
- What does giving back actually mean to me? Is it about volunteering, mentoring, or simply being more present for someone in need?
These aren’t questions with quick answers. But they’re the kind of questions worth sitting with.
Moving forward together
As the Chief Strategy Officer at SG Assist, I see daily how tech and tools can support the caregiving ecosystem. But tech is only as good as the intention behind it.
Real impact happens when we bring together community, empathy and action and when we include young people in shaping the solutions, not just inheriting the problems.
To the youth leaders who joined us: thank you. Your energy, honesty, and desire to do better gives me hope, not just for the future of caregiving but for the kind of society we can build together.
Let’s keep asking better questions. Let’s keep showing up for the people who quietly keep everything going.
And let’s never forget – it starts with us.
This article was written by Brendan Seah and originally posted on LinkedIn on June 27 , 2025.
