MINDS

What a busy last few months for MINDS! 🤩

We welcomed the return of MYG ACID after its COVID-19 hiatus, hosted the annual MINDS Learning Festival, and so much more as we celebrated the diversity and talents of Persons with Intellectual Disability (PWIDs) ✨

With 2025 still on the horizon, we can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store for us!

Check out the rest of our highlights on our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3MqMEdH

Some may find acting challenging, but ‘Ezra’ star William Fitzgerald, is a natural 💫

The story of ‘Ezra’ is inspired by its writer Tony Spiridakis’s son, Dimitri, who is on the autism spectrum.

Tony Goldwyn, the director, illuminated the ups and downs of life with a neurodivergent loved one, and to do justice to Spiridakis’s son’s story.

Catch William in his debut role as ‘Ezra’ at The MINDS Film Festival 2024.

Tickets are now on sale - get yours at https://www.mindsfilmfest.com ! 🎉

Eun-hye is a vibrant artist with a girlboss spirit ✨🎀

She is a popular artist who draws caricatures and portraits of people at Munho-ri River Market. Her charm and wit make her well-loved by everyone!

She's been so impactful that she's now helping 30 other artists with developmental disabilities make a living from their art 🎨

Catch ‘Please Make Me Look Pretty’ at The MINDS Film Festival 2024.

Tickets are now on sale - get yours at https://www.mindsfilmfest.com ! 🎉

Remember that one classmate who always caused trouble? 👀

Ezra isn’t this cheeky because he wants to be - he just sees the world a little differently! 🌎 The movie features a father-son duo going on a cross-country road trip that will transform their lives in more ways than one.

Tickets for the MINDS Film Festival are out! Catch ‘Ezra’ and more inspiring films during the event at https://www.mindsfilmfest.com 🎉

Watch us grow! 🌱

In partnership with the North East Community Development Council (CDC), we launched the Community Employment Programme - Inclusive Employment initiative to foster integration, broaden employment exposure, and build an inclusive community for PWIDs in the North East District 🤝

Our clients from IEDC worked at a Community Garden, managing horticultural waste, performing maintenance duties, and nurturing various plants.

The programme enhances the visibility of PWIDs at work, highlighting their ability to work, live, and play independently in the community. Keep your eyes peeled for more of their hard work in December! 🤩

Do you remember the library buses from your childhood? 👀

The National Library Board, Singapore’s (NLB) Molly Bus has found a new spot: MINDS Hub @ Bukit Batok! The mobile library is open to both our clients and the public to connect and read together 📚

The mobile library comes around monthly on Mondays, until 16 September. We hope to see you there! 😉

Meet Eun-hye, our next girlboss featured in the MINDS Film Festival 2024 lineup! 💪

She created over 2,000 caricature-style portraits during her time at Munhori River Market. She currently works as a photographer and artist, inspiring those around her. ✨

Catch her inspiring story of passion, perseverance, and hard work in ‘Please Make Me Look Pretty’ – told through her father's eyes. 👏

What’s something you’ve dreamed of achieving in life? 🤩

Poppy, the protagonist of the eponymous film ‘Poppy’, wants to become a mechanic, and work alongside her brother in their family’s auto shop.

‘Poppy’ showcases her passion, determination, and grit in achieving her goals – catch it at the MINDS Film Festival 2024, coming soon to a theatre near you.

The MINDS Film Festival 2024 aims to celebrate individuality and talents of PWIDs, while recognising the vital role of family and community in empowering and improving their quality of life ✨

Read on to learn about ‘Poppy’ writer Linda Nicole’s inspirations and aspirations for the movie!

Happy National Day from MINDS! 🇸🇬✨

SIA-MINDS Employment Development Centre had their own mini National Day Parade, complete with a variety of station games, goodie bags, and a ‘vote your favourite drawing’ to commemorate the nation’s 59th birthday.

We hope everyone has a great long weekend full of excitement as we celebrate together 😌🫶

Feeling the Hump Day slump? 🐫

Channel your inner Poppy and power through the week! 💪

MINDS Film Festival celebrates the individuality and abilities of PWIDs and recognises the vital role of family and community in empowering and improving their quality of life. The 2024 edition is here, and we’re kicking it off with our superstar, Poppy! 🌟

She is determined to take charge of her own life and achieve her dreams of being a mechanic so she can help her older brother with their inherited auto shop.

We’ll be featuring icons just like Poppy, so keep your eyes peeled for more sneak peeks of the movies in this year’s MINDS Film Festival lineup! 🤩

Did you know crocheting isn't just for yarn? You can use all sorts of materials like thread, lace, fabric strips, and even wire! 😲

Our clients at IDEA Employment and Development Centre (IEDC) have been trying their hand at this fun craft. Such activities like crocheting and knitting can boost your happiness, self-esteem, and mindfulness, while helping to reduce stress and anxiety.

Come join us next time! 🧶

Your smile is your best accessory - but are you taking care of it right? 🌟

Dental health is a crucial part of our overall hygiene, but the sad truth is that not everyone in Singapore can easily access quality oral care.

There are a lot of challenges when it comes to maintaining good dental habits, especially for vulnerable groups like People with Intellectual Disabilities (PWIDs). 🪥

That's why we're teaming up with the Chua Foundation to ensure oral healthcare is accessible for as many PWIDs as possible. We want to help set them up for long-term dental health success.

Did you know there’s a specific way to cut mooncakes?

Mooncakes are best enjoyed when sliced evenly, so everyone can share in the experience.

The rich, sweet treat tastes even better with a robust cup of tea, which helps to balance out the mooncake’s decadence 🫖😋

The mooncakes are crafted by our talented clients and by getting the yummy goods, you’re supporting their development and empowerment too. This year, we have a special addition to the roster of flavours - ‘Siew-Dai'! Customisation options are also available.

Preorders for our Mid-Autumn mooncakes start soon, on 1st August 2024!

Order them before they sell out!: https://eshop.minds.org.sg/product/2024-minds-mooncake-set/

Do you remember your first steps to independence?

Our clients at MINDSHub @ Bukit Batok had a Freedom Explorer Day Camp where they practiced independent living. From purchasing ingredients to cook their lunch to a hands-on gardening experience, they had a fulfilling day out ✨

When was the last time you attended a live performance? 👀🎶

The Purple Symphony recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with a concert - and our MINDS Taiko group was part of it!

It’s Singapore’s first all-inclusive orchestra, comprising talented musicians with and without disabilities.

It also includes the renowned MINDS Perform Taiko Drum Troupe, a performing arts group that trains clients professionally for public performances.

The Purple Symphony has been home to the MINDS Taiko group since 2014. Together, they have performed at numerous concerts and ceremonies, including National Day and The Purple Parade.💜🎉

Congratulations to our MINDS Taiko performers. We’re so proud of you! 🙌

Learning is a two-way process 😌

Volunteers from Kramer Asia Pacific (KAP) came down to IEDC, where our trainees eagerly showed them the work they do daily, like producing luggage tags. It was an enriching experience for everyone involved.

After a yummy lunch of Long John Silver’s (KAP's treat), everyone participated in a fun sing-along session to bond and learn more about one another. 🎶

A big thank you to Kramer Asia Pacific for engaging our trainees and sponsoring a delicious meal! 😁

Compassionate hearts help when needed 🤝

Grace is an Our Lives Our Voices (OLOV) self-advocate who realised her passion for disability inclusion through a special interest group programme. As a volunteer, she is always ready to lend a helping hand.

She recently collaborated with the Ministry of Transport to advocate for greater awareness of passengers with dementia, which has deepened inclusion within the transport sector.

Kudos to you, Grace! ⭐️

The energy was 💯 at ACID (Annual Camp for the Intellectually Disabled) 2024!

Organised by , the camp welcomed over 700 beneficiaries, volunteers and caregivers! This year was extra special as we collaborated with Google Singapore (and their GoogleServe Committee), who hosted the event at their amazing premises.

When was the last time you sat down to enjoy the sights? 👀✨

Our talented artists have brought the past and present landmarks of Raffles Place to life in a stunning mural now on display at Raffles Place MRT.

To perfect their urban sketching skills, they embarked on a five-month learning journey, exploring various art styles. They are incredibly excited to share their work with their loved ones and the wider public.

Meet the artists behind the mural:

✍️ Ong Xin Min loves making doodles of people, patterns, and Pokémon.
🏙️ Aldie Mohamed Sujak is an expert at sketching buildings and inanimate objects.
📝 Muhammad Naufal Azhari Bin Jasmi is fascinated by complex details.
🎥 Daeng Muhammad Hadzrin dabbles in photography and videography, alongside art.

Check out what our Me Too! Club trainees created at a recent graffiti workshop! 🎨

Our trainees had an exciting opportunity to attend a graffiti workshop in collaboration with Arts House Ltd and DPLMT.

Rebecca and Edward, alongside their caregivers and volunteers, received personalised training as they explored the spray painting medium over two sessions. It was a unique chance for them to step out of their comfort zones, and discover a new form of self-expression 🤩

The workshops allowed them to unleash their creativity, enhance their motor skills, and improve their attention spans.

Thank you to Arts House Ltd and DPLMT for championing inclusivity and accessibility in art!

It’s a wrap for the Colour Socks Parade! 🥳

We couldn't have done it without the incredible support of:

🥟 Old Chang Kee Singapore, our food sponsor
📚 National Library Singapore, our venue sponsor
🤝 Singapore Pools in the Community, CGS International Securities Singapore, DBS , Singapore Science Park, Dell, Fantasium, The Moment Collective, Almore, our supporting partners
🤩 Our participants, volunteers, and donors

A big thank you to everyone who made this event a success! 🙌

It’s time to get those creative juices flowing! 🎨

To encourage creative thinking and collaboration, Lee Kong Chian Gardens School (LGS) has launched a student-led initiative called ProjectPal. In the pilot programme, junior students created gifts for their parents, while senior students built toy characters and used video editing apps to tell stories 🧸🎁

The senior pilot class performed so well that LGS is rolling out ProjectPal to all senior classes in 2024. The goal is to help students develop skills in problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.

We can't wait to see what the students come up with next! 😊

Did you know that scams and cybercrime in Singapore increased by almost 50% in 2023? 🤔

Friendly police officers from the Hougang NPC taught our trainees how to keep themselves safe on both the streets and online.

Our trainees also asked the officers questions about how to become a policeman, and interesting situations they’ve encountered on patrol.

Thank you, officers, for teaching our trainees about safety! 🙌

Keeping the celebrations alive our Colour Socks Parade 2024! 🤩🌈

Our clients, caregivers, and volunteers at SIA-MINDS Employment Development Centre (SMEDC) kept the cheer going with engaging performances and art sessions.

Thank you for your incredible support, let’s wrap up on a high note!🎶

Together, we can make Singapore a more inclusive place: https://www.minds.org.sg/colour-socks-parade-2024-registration

What were your aspirations when you were little? ✨

We saw Mireia come out of her shell and blossom into a confident and outgoing girl. She even performed during the Hari Raya celebrations at Woodlands Gardens School! 💃

Her confidence shines through not only in her artistic pursuits but also in her everyday tasks, where she tackles challenges with resilience and determination.

Mireia wants to be an artist and a musician when she grows up – we are honoured to be part of her journey and to witness her growth! 🎨🎤

When was the last time you’ve made a dental appointment? 🤔

It’s recommended to visit the dentist every 6 months, but not everyone has access to quality dental healthcare. With our partner Chua Foundation, we aim to educate and raise awareness about how you can improve your oral health and the difficulties faced by People with Intellectual Disability (PWIDs).

Stay tuned to learn more on how to keep your pearly whites shining! 🦷✨

What’s your favourite TV show? 📺

Inspired by TV shows and YouTube videos, Meng Suan learned to express her innermost emotions and thoughts by translating the world around her into captivating visuals. Despite being non-verbal, she has found her voice through the vibrant strokes of her drawings 🎨

Express yourself just like Meng Suan while supporting our movement in making Singapore a more inclusive society!

Woodlands Gardens School is hosting a Paint a Tile pop-up booth. Each painted tile represents a powerful beacon of hope, forming beautiful wall murals across different MINDS schools and centres 🥰

📍 1 & 2 June 2024 (Sat & Sun)
11am - 5pm
Woodlands Gardens School

Let’s make Singapore a more inclusive society together. https://www.minds.org.sg/colour-socks-parade-2024-registration