The Telok Blangah Mentoring Club, an initiative where adult residents mentor youth residents, has expanded its focus areas this year to include mental health, in addition to sports, business, nature, and the arts.
Rachel Ong, Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC, said that the mentoring club aims to foster the growth and development of youths aged 10 to 17. Adult residents from the neighborhood will serve as mentors, guiding and supporting the youths.
Ms Ong shared with Petir that in 2021, she started the mentoring club, an initiative of Telok Blangah Division. Her aim was to provide youths with equal opportunities to learn about and be exposed to the four key areas. The fifth on mental health was added as mental wellness became a growing priority for youths, Ms Ong added.
“At the Telok Blangah Bursary for 2020, I saw how providing funds for books, uniforms and some allowances are important, but at the same time, I know that this bursary gift will not be life changing. What every youth needs is access to activities made available to children from privileged backgrounds; sports, business, nature exploration, the arts and music. So, we wanted to do the same for our young people in Telok Blangah.”
Since then, the target group has expanded from bursary awardees to all youths staying in Telok Blangah division, namely Depot, Dover, Pasir Panjang and Telok Blangah. Schools within Ms Ong’s precinct also recommend some of their students for participation. The programme embraces diversity, with youths and mentors from various backgrounds joining in.
Ms Ong said: “One way to building stronger families is by helping parents with their children. We hope to help every youth find a niche at a young age, and perhaps it could be something that they can consider doing in the future.”
The group pairs two to three mentees with two mentors. They meet twice a month, participating in activities related to the focus areas such as visiting organisations (e.g.GovTech), hiking Alexandra Forest and trying out archery.
On 7 December 2024, the third cohort and latest batch of 72 mentees graduated from the programme. Since its inception, it has welcomed 300 mentees and 300 mentors and is funded by residents and private donors.
‘Hello Neighbour!’ initiative connects youths with seniors in the community, where they get to meet once a month

The club also launched the “Hello Neighbour!” initiative, connecting youths with seniors in the community, Ms Ong said. Every month, teams visit with the same seniors, to keep them socially active.
During one visit, a team taught an 87-year-old grandmother how to use a digital camera, after she had showed them photos from her family album, Ms Ong shared on Facebook.
Witnessing how the mentees bring joy to the seniors through sing-a-longs, photos and celebrating birthdays with the seniors has been heartwarming for the mentors and the team, Ms Ong said.
12-year-old student develops positive mindset through the mentorship programme

12-year-old Aloysius Goei Jun Sheng, who joined the mentoring club last year, developed a positive mindset through the guidance of his 29-year-old digital strategist mentor, Shaurya Mathur.
During a hike through Dover Forest with this mentoring group, Aloysius faced a challenging situation that changed his outlook.
The muddy trail initially made Aloysius reluctant to continue, but Shaurya motivated him to “take it one step at a time”. He overcame his fear and found enjoyment in the experience.
Aloysius reflected: “Previously, I would think something was impossible. Now, I have a more positive outlook. My mentor helped me realise that being negative does not help, while being positive does.”
During the National Day Parade heartlands celebration this year, Aloysius also tried new experiences like face painting, something he would not have done without his mentor’s encouragement.
Aloysius appreciated being able to freely share his thoughts and experiences with his mentors and fellow mentees. “They offered tips on how to manage stress during my exams,” he said. “My fellow mentees also shared details of their own experiences.”

A volunteer since 2022, Mr Shaurya has volunteered with other organisations including the Singapore Indian Development Association and National University of Singapore Society.
“If all of us do our part and give back to society by sharing our knowledge, we ensure growth and progress for society as a whole,” he said.
When asked about the most rewarding part of mentoring, he shared, “It’s a two-way exchange. While we guide our mentees, we also learn from them. As adults, big problems can seem overwhelming. But helping our mentees overcome challenges step-by-step, eventually solving major issues, reminds us that anything is achievable with the right support, guidance and action. Helping mentees navigate this journey makes it all worthwhile.”
He continued: “Seeing Aloysius progress from hesitant on our first hike to fearlessly leading the group and exploring the forest the following year was a highlight. Moments like those make the efforts worthwhile.”
Mr Shaurya stressed the importance of proper guidance due to the impressionable nature of youths. “We must carefully consider how we present ourselves and what we teach because youths are highly impressionable. What we tell them now and what they absorb, goes a long way in their growth.”
The application for the 2025 cohort of the mentoring club closes at the end of January. Interested youths are encouraged to enroll by then.
Ms Ong aims to inspire joy, hope, courage and a sense of purpose within the community through her work.
“I want to equip more young leaders to continue this work for our people,” she says. “That’s one of the reasons I started the mentoring programme, so that residents and the larger community can see, hear and support one another.”