Published 19th February 2020
Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information third-year student shares his experience volunteering at Mind Palace.
1. When did you start volunteering at Mind Palace?
I started a semester internship with Dude Studios and worked with its sister non-profit company, Mind Palace. Mind Palace provides an opportunity for long-stay residents who may be immobile in nursing homes to experience the world with immersive technologies, such as using virtual reality (VR); in order to keep their mind and body active.
2. Can you tell me more about your experience there?
I produce the content that the elderly view in the VR headsets. Apart from just helping out in nursing homes or day care centres, I am usually out and about shooting various locations in Singapore which I think the elderly will enjoy seeing through their headsets.
3. What other plans do you have in the future?
To increase the effectiveness and reach of what we do, I am starting a new initiative with the generous support of the company, the Mind Palace Volunteer Corp (MPVC), which is essentially a volunteer scheme set up to provide a platform for young people to contribute to elderly care by producing virtual reality experiences and contributing to its operations for events and visits.
I will train like-minded and passionate youths on the basics of VR production and together we can plan and produce new original and engaging VR experiences for the elderly.
4. What are the learning points you have gained from this experience?
I think providing a listening ear to people is a skill I’m still learning to get better at. But being able to be more attentive and responding appropriately can really make a difference in your interactions with people.
5. What were some of the challenges you faced?
I think I can never really get used to leaving behind the elderly in the homes after I spend time with them. But I’ve learnt to accept that attachment is a healthy result of a positive interaction. In that same token, being able to strike a balance and giving yourself time away from the “work” to pursue other things doesn’t make you a bad person. Hence, learning to be more understanding and accepting of yourself and your own needs is important.
6. Any advice for others who might be thinking of volunteering?
Start doing good at home or in your daily life. If you think volunteering takes up too much time and commitment, then focus on what you can do in your own capacity. At the end of the day, we volunteer to help others. Helping others need not necessarily be tagged to institutions or schemes. Just do the best you can and be kind to everyone around you.
7. How can WKWSCI students contribute back to the society?
I’d like to think that we already are! In our various kinds of work, we are already contributing and working towards making the world we live in better. Kudos WeeVolunteer! ∎
Wee Kim Wee School