First of all, I want to thank those who wrote in either to request for some counselling assistance or to offer your services to support our activities. I appreciate your responses to the article appeared in The New paper dated 2 Feb.
I have also received overwhelming responses from many who want to attend our networking session with the retired businessman. I will response to the first ten persons who emailed us and informed you more on the details of this session. Due to seating capacity, we can only take in ten participants first and will probably fix another session in the future.
I want to reiterate again that this is a very tough period for many people and we all need to stand united together. It is only when we uphold one another that we can ride through this crisis emerging victorious and ultimately becoming more resilient in future.
It also broke my heart to see people as young as 23 years old who wrote in saying that they lost their job and feeling lost and disenchanted with life. A majority of you who wrote in are in your twenties.
Some of you have asked for online counselling support via email and this service is already been activated for you. Do give us at least 48 hours to reply to you. Please also give us your feedback if any about this counselling service that is extended to you free of charge and manned by voluntary counsellors.
Another serivce that is available to you is our support group sessions. Some of you have already responded that you want to attend this group session. These seesions are held fortnightly and is meant for you to come and bond together. Often, the unemployed felt alone and disconnected, and by coming together and talk about your frustrations, hopefully you can find support from one another.
In CDC where I worked before 2 years ago, I happened to assist in a 5-session support group programme and saw how people responded to such sessions positively. Many began to learn how to count on one another for support and encouragement. Others have later found jobs after the sessions on their own account. Lives were touched as the participants found the emotional connection here.
The support group sessions will start once we have 7-8 participants. It will be for 4 sessions held fortnightly on a weekend. Details will be provided for those who are keen to attend. This is a free service.
I want to take this opportunity to thank The New Paper for covering the support site and my team of volunteers who work overtime to do up the website and also those who provide the counselling support. If not for their zealous support, this site will not be operational at all.
May we all look ahead with confidence as we uphold one another. As the saying goes “He ain’t heavy he is my brother.”
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Hi,
I came to know your website through the Newpaper. I salute your efforts in maintaining this website and giving moral support to those who lost their jobs.
I was retrenched end of last year and it was an extremely difficult time for me. My morale was aversely affected. I was in the midst of depression and suicidal thoughts kept floating in my mind. It’s an extremely tough period for me.
Thanks for yr comments.
I shared your emotional pain of losing a job.
I have emailed you and hope that you can take up the offer of counselling support.
Do stay in touch with us or your loved ones as going through this period alone will be extremely tough. We all need one anotehr to stay afloat.
You never walk alone.
Take care.
Gilbert