Adaptive Table Tennis is a modified version of the usual table tennis catered to the limited physical mobility of the patients at Yishun Community Hospital (YCH). The Adaptive Table Tennis programme is a collaboration between YCH and the Table Tennis Association for the Disabled (Singapore) (TTADS).

Incorporating both physiotherapy and social integration, patients engage in matches against volunteers, or other patients, and progress to higher levels if they are able to.

With matches usually evolving into a highly intensive and exciting workout, patients are encouraged to eventually adopt table tennis as a hobby and continue to play outside of their stay at YCH.

Initiated by two artistic individuals, Artwards has been steadily growing in volunteers passionate about art and its benefits in engaging patients.

Through this art-based programme, volunteers tap into a myriad of creative tools to teach patients in making art products. Art forms include: origami, colouring, music-making and many others.

Artwards anchors its activities and evaluation upon three Cs – Confidence, Competence and Creativity. Regardless of patients’ artistic ability, Artwards desires to help them build confidence and competency in making various art products while expressing their creativity.

Through Artwards, volunteers facilitate therapeutic artistic expression which enhances the patients' mental and physical well-being.

The Befrienders programme is open to all volunteers who wish to interact with patients through conversation and activities. Befrienders are instrumental in bringing much warmth and cheer to patients who may experience loneliness and a sense of loss.

Every third Sunday of the month, volunteers from the Singapore National Stroke Association (SNSA) visit stroke patients and their caregivers to give them moral support and encouragement as well as share some tips and knowledge on managing stroke.

Some of these volunteers are themselves stroke survivors who hope to share their personal experience on leading quality lives despite their struggles. A common experience helps to connect the volunteers with the patients and build a meaningful foundation of support.

Evergreen Club first started at the previous Alexandra Hospital at Alexandra Road catering to outpatients and senior individuals.

Headed by senior volunteer Grace Tay-Chan, the Evergreen Club at Yishun Community Hospital is a place where outpatients of Alexandra Health System come together and engage in social activities every Friday afternoon. Activities include knitting, drawing and playing mahjong.

The club provides a collaborative space for outpatients to be part of an active ageing community and share collective experiences. Members are encouraged to initiate new activities and through this sense of knowledge sharing, partake in a purposeful lifelong learning adventure.

The gardening volunteers is a vibrant team of senior individuals who enjoy tending Yishun Community Hospital's (YCH) rooftop garden where various types of vegetables are lovingly grown and cared for. The harvested vegetables are eventually sold to the public, staff and caregivers at YCH.

Through this fruitful hobby, the gardeners exchange gardening experience and knowledge while tilling, weeding and fertilising. Above all, they share a great sense of camaraderie and fun under the sun!

The hairdressing programme is a weekly event that is highly anticipated by patients at Yishun Community Hospital.

Professional hairdressers provide a complimentary basic hair-cutting service while volunteers interact with patients awaiting their turn, making this ordinary activity a spirited and meaningful one.

Through a neat haircut and joyful conversation patients are immensely refreshed and enlivened, putting a bit of spark in their day.

The Library on Wheels programme is initiated by a group of passionate volunteers who desire to bring a smile to patients through the gift of books and conversation.

The mobile library is stocked with a wide variety of books and magazines to cater to different reading preferences and interests. From cookbooks to novels, volunteers take joy in recommending reading material and befriending patients through this platform.

Overtime, patients eagerly await the trolley of books canvassing the wards and more importantly, the friendly faces of volunteers who liven the atmosphere with their vibrant chatter.

The Music Infusion programme aims to entertain and uplift patients through the universal language of music. Volunteer pianist, Hem Joo, takes patients through a medley of old songs during their mealtime where they enjoy familiar and soothing melodies over lunch.

Often, patients spontaneously sing along proudly displaying their vocal prowess as they reminisce about happy memories acquainted with the songs. Upon request, Hem Joo also plays current pop tunes much to the delight of the multi-talented nurses who also break into song while providing caregiving services.

Music Infusion invites all musicians and singers to help build upon this therapeutic and invigorating programme with a variety of musical instruments and songs.

The Qigong programme is led by qigong veteran, Thomas Kuan, who guides patients in doing simple qigong movements that are beneficial to their rehabilitation. As patients are not able to stand for a long period of time, the qigong movements are specially modified to cater to their limited mobility.

Patients benefit greatly from doing qigong as it encourages them to be mobile, strengthens their body posture, reduces stress and improves their mental focus. Moreover, it promotes active ageing and slows down the onset of a sedentary lifestyle.

Following their discharge, it is recommended that patients continue to practice qigong regularly to maintain a youthful and healthful vitality.