Underground hub in Marine Parade offers S’pore’s first one-stop access to social services, shops

TOUCH Community Services’ chief transformation officer Anita Low-Lim said The Anchor is more than just a shared physical space.

She said it creates opportunities for organisations to engage the community, conduct outreach to residents and nearby schools, and build on existing partnerships while forging new relationships with people in the vicinity.

“Having a critical mass of organisations in one place also allows us to expand our reach and deliver services more effectively,” she said.

Similarly, Wong Ying Li, director of community services at Fei Yue Community Services, said the hub’s location near residential estates and public transport makes it convenient for residents to access its services.

She said: “With the services all housed in the same place, the convenience helps to bring people in, get them interested and keep them connected. If our clients need support from another agency, we can connect them more easily.”

The hub also features a volunteer-run charity thrift shop, along with a mix of amenities such as a convenience store, food and beverage stores, enrichment centres and a senior-friendly gym.

MPCSL executive director Derrick Wong, who oversees projects in the area like The Anchor, said it was designed to be inclusive to all residents. He said: “My dream is that each of them feels a certain affinity with this place.”

Residents can also give back to the community by volunteering with charities and SSAs there.

Volunteer opportunities include roles such as senior transport escorts and programme support volunteers.

Said Goh: “The real magic and real spark comes when everyone can collaborate, not just carry out their own services. This is what building community is all about.”

Marine Parade residents who joined the walk said the hub has become a valuable community space.

Serena Ng, 63, an accounts manager who has lived in Marine Parade for more than 40 years, said: “There are many facilities here, and it is very convenient.”

She added that the organisations at the hub regularly organise programmes for seniors, with most activities offered for free.

For Lee Hua Kiat, 66, who is retired, the hub has become a familiar part of his daily routine, as he walks through it daily. The air-conditioned space also offers him respite from the heat.

He previously attended a caregiving course organised by caregiver support network M.Pathy.

Lee, who has lived in Marine Parade for more than 60 years, said: “What they’re doing here is very good. Before I joined the course, I didn’t know much about caregiving.”