Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the Outstanding Social Worker Award 2020 Virtual Ceremony

Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development

Ms Long Chey May, President, Singapore Association of Social Workers

Assoc Prof Esther Goh, Chairperson, OSWA 2020 Selection Committee

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good afternoon.

It is my pleasure to join you for today’s Outstanding Social Worker Award Presentation Ceremony. Even though we are not able to gather physically, I am glad that we are able to gather virtually to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our social workers.

Over the past months, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our lives significantly. Increasing financial needs, unemployment and heightened family tensions are some of the challenges faced by some Singaporeans, especially those who were already in vulnerable situations. These problems were felt more acutely during the circuit breaker period as the physical provision of social services was limited to critical cases.

I am heartened that our social workers rose to the call. You continued to provide support to individuals and families despite the limitations imposed on physical interactions. Many of you creatively leveraged technology to sustain regular and remote engagement with clients. At the frontlines, social workers adapted to the new safety measures at your agencies and residential facilities while continuing to provide care to clients. Your role as social workers proved to be even more crucial in this time - by giving care and support to those who needed it the most.

The efforts of our medical social workers, including those who worked alongside COVID-19 patients and their families at the frontlines, have also been incredibly important during this pandemic. Earlier this year, a couple was among the first few patients diagnosed with the virus. The wife recovered, but unfortunately, her husband succumbed to the virus. A medical social worker was present with the husband in the days leading up to his passing. She helped the patient spend his last moments with his wife and son over video calls. Subsequently, the social worker provided bereavement support to the wife and went beyond her call of duty to make funeral arrangements for the patient. The social worker’s acts of compassion and courage, like so many others amongst you, have helped individuals and families tide through these extraordinarily difficult times.

I am proud that we have such dedicated and resilient social workers during this pandemic. It has been a challenging time for all of you. Yet, many of you have worked tirelessly and are willing to go the extra mile. I would like to thank all social workers for your commitment, as well as your family members for their support.

Congratulations to the four social workers today – Bridget, Boon Chee, Lyon and Siping – who will receive the Outstanding and Promising Social Worker Awards. You have shown exemplary leadership and commitment in various areas that collectively contribute to the growth of the social work profession and improve the lives of others. Bridget has dedicated over a decade of her life championing holistic care in medical social work and looking after the mental wellbeing of staff. Boon Chee has selflessly cared for the wellbeing of the underprivileged and marginalised, regardless of their backgrounds. Lyon’s active work has improved the lives and conditions of single mothers and the homeless. Siping’s drive has seen her find different ways to protect vulnerable children and their families, from leveraging technology to learning more about mental health. I hope that your contributions will inspire your peers and continue to bring the social work profession to new heights.

As the saying goes, some of our greatest victories will come after our most painful experiences. The pandemic has no doubt been a painful experience for many of us. While the battle is not over, I am confident that social workers and social service professionals will continue to light the way with your ideas, determination and hope for the sector. To every social service professional, thank you for your hard work in supporting individuals and families in-need during this time. Let us continue to soldier on and emerge from this crisis as a more united Singapore, stronger than ever.

I wish you an enjoyable day ahead. Thank you.