Underground hub in Marine Parade offers S’pore’s first one-stop access to social services, shops
The Anchor @ Marine Parade is expected to be fully operational in 2027.
Residents in Marine Parade now have a unique one-stop underground hub where they can access everyday amenities and social services, as well as ways to contribute to their community. This Anchor @ Marine Parade facility, situated adjacent to Marine Parade MRT station, is Singapore's inaugural of its kind. Stretching over 450 meters, it accommodates a diverse range of social service agencies (SSAs), charities, and commercial operators, including Fei Yue Community Services, TOUCH Community Services, Mrs Kuan Cafe and Twigly’s convenience store.
The hub opened on April 4 and is projected to become fully operational by 2027. On August 1, residents participated in a neighborhood walk organized by SG Cares Volunteer Centres at Geylang, Jalan Besar, and Serangoon, to explore the facility, nearby businesses, and community spaces. These centers, operated by Care Community Services Society, and charity Marine Parade Community Space Limited (MPCSL), aim to foster collaboration among SSAs and charities that now share a single location.
The hub currently houses nine SSAs and charities, with plans to incorporate one more in the near future. Goh Pei Ming, an MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC and Senior Minister of State for Social and Family Development, highlighted that having multiple SSAs under one roof enables them to collaborate more closely. This setting proves beneficial as it caters to families facing various challenges, thus presenting a comprehensive service option for all.
SSAs offer services spanning from counseling and reintegration support for ex-offenders to caregiver support and employment assistance for individuals with disabilities. Anita Low-Lim, TOUCH Community Services’ chief transformation officer, emphasized that The Anchor is more than a shared physical space. She explained that it provides organizations opportunities to engage with the community, conduct outreach to schools, and forge new relationships.
Furthermore, the hub's proximity to residential areas and public transport makes it highly accessible to residents.
Fei Yue Community Services' director of community services, Wong Ying Li, noted that the hub's convenience helps attract residents, piquing their interest and ensuring ongoing engagement. Residents can also contribute to the community through various volunteer roles, such as senior transport escorts and programme support volunteers. Goh commented that the real magic of the hub lies in collective collaboration, emphasizing that true community building involves supporting one another.
Resident feedback on the hub has been overwhelmingly positive. Serena Ng, a 63-year-old Marine Parade resident and accounts manager, expressed satisfaction as the hub offers numerous facilities, including free senior programs. Lee Hua Kiat, a 66-year-old retired resident, commended the convenience and daily respite the air-conditioned space provides.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
