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As we celebrate International Volunteer Day, we cast the spotlight on seven volunteers and their acts of kindness that ripple through our community. From a simple greeting to supporting others in times of distress, we find out how their everyday acts of kindness bring warmth and joy to those around them.

Meet Rupal, a dedicated Volunteer Leader with the Red Cross Home for the Disabled. To her, kindness is not a grand gesture but the everyday moments of connection. The smiles, gratitude, and gentle interactions she shares with the residents are her greatest reward.

Hakim, a committed Volunteer Leader with the Community First Aid programme began his volunteering journey in 2018. His motivation? A simple and heartfelt desire to put his first aid skills to good use. Today, he leads the team with calm assurance and a kind heart, reminding them that compassion can make a lasting difference.

Natasha’s volunteering journey with the Red Cross Youth began at the encouragement of a friend. What started as curiosity soon became a meaningful way for her to spread kindness. As the current Deputy Project Director of Project R.I.C.E.+, she finds joy in the little moments: shared laughter during team briefings and the quiet satisfaction of knowing that a simple act can brighten someone’s day.

A passionate Volunteer Leader with the ElderAid programme, Prateek’s volunteering journey first started in India. Guided by the same heart for giving, he now brings joy and comfort to the daily lives of seniors. “It’s simply about making a positive impact in people’s lives,” he shares.

Inspired by the dedication of those around them, Kelly and Ignatius began volunteering with the Fundraising programme, determined to give their time whenever possible. Their warm presence makes them a natural pair at connecting with visitors and donors. To them, kindness lies in the smiles shared, conversations exchanged, and the joy of contributing to something bigger than themselves.

Driven by a simple but steadfast belief in helping others, Daniel’s role as a Volunteer Leader with the First Aider on Wheels (FAOW) programme includes guiding fellow volunteers and overseeing resource planning during FAOW deployments. Beyond that, he believes that extending kindness is just as important as physical aid, whether it is easing someone’s nerves or simply offering a comforting word.

As a Volunteer Leader and Volunteer Instructor with the Singapore Red Cross Academy, Timothy finds joy in advocating for life-saving skills and empowering others with the confidence to act in an emergency. He believes helping people find the courage to step forward in times of need is an act of kindness in itself.

Thank you to our volunteers who selflessly give their time and talent to serve the community.. You remind us of the positive ripple effect that kindness can bring about, no matter how small it may seem.

Inspired by their stories and acts of kindness? Join us as a volunteer in serving and uplifting the local community today.

INTRODUCTION

1. The Singapore Red Cross Society (SRC) is committed to the highest standards of honesty, transparency, ethical and legal conduct and accountability. In this regard the SRC is committed to a high standard of compliance with accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, corporate governance and auditing requirements and any legislation relating thereto.

AIM

2. In line with this commitment, we provide this avenue for parties to raise concerns regarding malpractice, statutory non­compliance, actual or suspected improprieties in financial transactions and any other wrongdoing.

SCOPE

3. The issues which may be raised covers such following wrongdoings, although not limited to these:

• Fraudulent activities/transactions
• Personal and profession misconduct
• Unauthorised access to and/or disclosure of information
• Embezzlement, misappropriation, theft, or criminal misuse of Society’s monies and resources
• Corruption, bribery, cheating
• Aiding and abetting illegal activities

4. Whistle­blowing enables staff, registered members and volunteers of SRC to raise serious and genuine concerns within ​the Society.

PROTECTION FOR THE WHISTLE BLOWER

5. The whistle blower will be provided with protection from reprisals or victimisation for whistle blowing in good faith. This is carried out to deter wrongdoing and help to promote standards of good financial practice and corporate governance.

6. The Society recognises that the decision to report a concern can be a difficult one to make, not least, because of the fear of reprisal from those responsible for the alleged malpractice. The Society will not tolerate harassment or victimisation and will take action to protect anyone who raises a concern in good faith, even if the concern is later proved to be unsubstantiated. However, the Society will reserve its right to take action against those who give false or misleading information.

APPLICATION

7 This Policy applies to both staff and/or external parties. Staff shall include anyone who is on the payroll of the Society, whether he/she is on permanent, contract, temporary, part­time or other types of employment with the Society. External parties shall include registered members and volunteers of the Society, individual and corporate donors (in cash, in kind, of blood), beneficiaries, individuals or organisations with a business dealing with the Society.

MISUSE OF THE PROCESS

8. The Policy is not meant as a channel for personal or normal HR grievances, which can be taken up through the Society’s grievance handling procedure. Frivolous, unsubstantiated, or unsubstantial claims / complaints will not be considered. The Society does not condone abuse of the Policy for personal gains, or with malicious intent.

PROCEDURE

9. The whistleblower can raise his/her concern through the following channels:

Chairman, Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee, SRC Accountability Office.

Email: [email protected]

To ensure confidentiality, the email should be titled “Strictly Private and Confidential ­ To be opened by Addressee Only”

10. Without prejudice to Para 11a and Para 11b; to encourage transparency and accountability, the Policy encourages the whistleblower identify himself/herself. To protect the whistleblower, the Society will handle confidentially the whistleblower’s identity and the information he/she provides. The whistleblower is required under this Policy to put in writing (or to sign against) the information that he/she is providing for the case.

11a. Subject to Para 11b, if a complaint received is anonymous, Chairman, CGNC, will assess it based on the merits of the complaint, its nature and whether the complaint can be verified. If the complaint can be pursued, the same procedures will follow; accept that the whistleblower will not be informed of the outcome of the case.

11b. Except under the most exceptional circumstances, anonymous complaints will not be entertained.

12. Exceptional circumstances under which information provided by the whistleblower could or would not be treated with strictest confidentiality include:

• Where the Society is under a legal obligation to disclose information provided
• Where the information is already in the public domain
• Where the information is given on a strictly confidential basis to legal or auditing professionals for the purpose of obtaining professional advice
• Where the information is given to the Police or other authorities for criminal investigation

INQUIRY PANEL

13. On receiving a complaint the Chairman of the CGNC, in consultation with the CGNC, shall decide on the gravity and authenticity of the complaint. If the CGNC is convinced that there is an issue to be looked into, the Chairman of the CGNC shall appoint an Inquiry Panel (“IP”) comprising at least three independent members (i.e. persons not connected to the complaint). Wherever possible, the members will be appointed from amongst the staff and members of the Singapore Red Cross Society.

14. The IP which will study the information provided, and submit a written report (“Report”) to CGNC. The CGNC will study the Report and forward its recommendations to Chairman SRC, and if deemed necessary, to the SRC Council, for a final decision. Should the complaint involve the Secretary General, the members of the CGNC may comprise the IP themselves and refer their findings to the Chairman, SRC and the SRCCouncil. Once an IP has been instituted, Chairman, CGNC shall keep Chairman, SRC informed.

15. Person(s) implicated in a whistleblowing case will NOT be part of the IP. In the event that the implicated person(s) is/are the Secretary General and/or the members of the CGNC and /or the Chairman of the Society, the case could be outsourced to an external party, including the relevant government authorities, if deemed necessary.

16. The whistleblower will be kept informed of the progress of the investigations and, if appropriate, of the final outcome.