Need someone to talk to? Youth in S’pore can turn to trained listeners in new initiative
Up to 20 youth can attend each Chat Circles session, which will run monthly from now to July 2027.
In Singapore, young people seeking a listening ear can now participate in a new initiative called Chat Circles. Organized by Empact, a social enterprise, the program pairs trained volunteers with individuals for an hour-long conversation on matters weighing on their minds. Launched on August 26, Chat Circles offers a space free from clinical assessments, unsolicited advice, or expectations. Up to 20 young participants can join each session, which runs monthly through July 2027.
The initiative is part of a broader mental well-being and resilience program under the five-year SG Youth Plan, launched by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the National Youth Council. Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Goh Hanyan emphasized that many young people grapple with self-doubt during life transitions, and the ministry aims to build confidence and resilience among them.
Empact's deputy chief executive, Yap Keng Hwee, explained that the idea behind Chat Circles was inspired by community events overseas where individuals share their life stories with strangers. The program targets youth aged 15 to 28 and aims to build emotional resilience during stressful transitions, such as starting new schools or entering the workforce. By fostering offline interactions, Chat Circles seeks to draw youth back into human connection in an era where they prefer online communication.
During the inaugural session on August 26, 14 young participants, including those with disabilities, gathered at grovve, a youth wellness space near Orchard Road. A polytechnic student named Jordan Reed Oliveiro, 19, joined the event after seeing an Instagram advertisement. He hoped to build deeper connections with others and expressed feeling disconnected from his friends.
During the evening, participants engaged in mindfulness activities led by a deaf facilitator, followed by paired conversations with trained volunteer listeners.
These volunteer listeners, aged 21 and above, underwent a three-hour training with The School of Positive Psychology. The conversations are confidential, and the program refrains from offering solutions, instead aiming to help participants recognize their strengths. One volunteer listener, Workers' Party MP He Ting Ru, emphasized that such events provide a non-judgmental space for young people, offering mutual learning opportunities.
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