Victor Lye, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, transformed a challenge into an opportunity in Buangkok-Fernvale South.
With existing community spaces in short supply in the constituency, he has partnered with local coffee shops and organisations like the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) to host community events. This approach demonstrates his commitment to optimising existing resources.
When Mr Lye first became an MP overseeing Buangkok-Fernvale South division, his team asked if they should build a community space or club. He told Petir that this would have come at a significant cost in time and and manpower that could be better spent serving residents.
He explained the issue to his volunteers. First, they would have to seek approval and raise a portion of the building cost. Second, construction would take several years to complete. Third, once built, the volunteers would have to form a committee to maintain the space and focus on renting it out to sustain costs.
“Let’s say we need to raise 10 percent of the building cost. If it costs 50 million, we must raise 5 million,” he explained. “I asked my grassroots leaders: do you want to spend your time serving residents or raising money?”
Mr Lye proposed a simple solution: transform the three coffee shops in his constituency into community gathering spaces. He now holds informal meetings with branch activists and town councillors at these coffeeshops.
“We hold meetings there, and eat there, adding to their business. Coffee shops are our communal spaces,” he said.
Mr Lye follows three guiding principles: appreciate what we have, make the best of what we have, and help others along the way. Using coffee shops as community spaces demonstrates how to appreciate existing resources and maximise their potential.
“In my maiden speech to Parliament, I emphasised the need for affordable food in coffee shops. When food is affordable, people will come and food brings people together,” he said.
Building strong relationships with local businesses also benefit residents. Mr Lye’s team worked with the owner of the coffeeshop at Block 982 Buangkok Crescent to organise a $1 coffee offer for seniors during festive occasions.
During Mothers’ Day this year, his branch’s Women’s Wing activists distributed carnations to patrons during off-peak hours and bought food and drinks from the stalls.
The approach creates a win-win solution, according to Mr Lye. Local resources are used more efficiently, residents receive help, and coffee shop operators benefit from increased footfall.
His team also partners with local organisations like IMH to host community events such as carnivals, as well as special occasions celebrating National Day. They host important community work plan discussions.
“IMH is a beautiful hospital and part of our community. So, we bring the community to the hospital.”
Mr Lye shared that students from the schools within the constituency participated in a National Day Observance Ceremony, with some visiting IMH for the first time.
Mr Lye adopted the same thrifty resourcefulness with community gardens. To fulfil resident’s desire for such amenities in land-scarce Singapore, he worked with local care homes within the constituency, so that residents could tend to and maintain community gardens on their grounds.
Some of these care homes include Sunlove Abode, St Luke’s ElderCare Senior Care Centre @ Sumang, and St Andrew’s Nursing Home (Buangkok).
This approach also reduces isolation by bringing care home residents into the broader community.
“I suggested that [residents] help the homes maintain their gardens. This benefits residents because they get to interact with the people in the homes too.”
Mr Lye said that his team will continue to explore ways to expand community spaces within the division.
Encouraging residents to help one another
Mr Lye wants to build a caring community within Buangkok-Fernvale South by encouraging residents to help those in need.
Under the Buangkok-Fernvale South Cares (BFS Cares) programme, his team of volunteers provides a concierge service for residents with genuine needs and wishes. About 1,000 households live in rental blocks in the constituency.
He shared two examples of community support. In one case, an elderly uncle living alone in a rental unit told his team that his kettle had broken. They bought him a new kettle, with funds donated by a resident. In another case, a family with four children had never visited the zoo, so another family volunteered to take all six of them on a zoo trip.
“This isn’t about money. It’s about hope, caring for someone, and making the connection. My purpose is to show our community that everyone can make a difference.”
