Frequently Asked Questions
The Salvation Army & her Volunteer Programme
- What is The Salvation Army’s work in Singapore?
The Salvation Army is dedicated to meeting the needs of the poor and marginalized in the community without discrimination. Since 1935, we have been touching hearts, inspiring minds and nurturing souls, making a life-long impact in countless lives all over Singapore.
In Singapore, The Salvation Army, through its network of social services, centres and programmes, offers help to the needy regardless of their age, gender, religion, race and background.
More information on the work and financial statements of The Salvation Army is available on our website at http://sg.salvationarmy.org.
You can refer here for information on the social service centres and programmes, their addresses and maps.
- What is The Salvation Army's philosophy on partnership with
volunteers?
The Salvation Army welcomes volunteers as partners to march along with love and passion, in serving and enriching lives without discrimination. We recognise that a meaningful engagement and partnership with volunteers will allow us to mutually glow and grow.
Guided by biblical principles from Romans 12:6-8, we recognize that each volunteer is unique and works towards engaging each volunteer meaningfully in the care of our beneficiaries. We believe that every volunteer have his/her own wealth of skills, knowledge, talents, experience, insights and ideas. Thus, the army strives to match each volunteer's skills, interests, commitment level, experience, references to meet real needs through its network of social service centres and programmes.
At the end of the day, the volunteer programme seeks to benefit both beneficiaries and volunteers; beneficiaries benefiting from the involvement of the volunteers and volunteers growing and developing from their volunteering with the Army. This is what we call the “SA-V” (Salvation Army Volunteer, pronounced as “savvy”) experience.
Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)
6. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8. if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Volunteer Opportunities
- What volunteer opportunities are there in The Salvation Army?
Opportunities to “do good” are abound in areas such as:
- Share-a-skill / Knowledge
- Reading & Academic Mentorship
- Day-Out with Beneficiaries
- Contribute-a-Skill
- Entertainment / Befriending
- Facilities Improvement & Maintenance
- Donations-in-kind Processing
- Events Support
- Fundraising & Collection Drives
- Programme Support
For more information, please click on the "Opportunities" menu.
- Why is it that voluntary service with children and youth
requires regular commitment?
Volunteer opportunities in children and youth services (especially for those served in the homes under the Care & Protection Order) tend to be of a regular nature (at least 6 months with regular commitment) or project basis (e.g. teaching craftwork or photography over a period of at least one month). This is so as to introduce some form of consistency in the beneficaries' care.
This also prevents them from having to re-adapt to new faces with each entry and exit of volunteers, which can be emotionally unsettling.
In addition, the regular service would also allow volunteers to build rapport with the beneficiaries and also allow the volunteers to see the fruit of their labour.
- Do you have volunteer assignments on Sundays?
Generally, we do not have any assignments on Sundays as we recognise that Sundays are days for our volunteers and staff to rest and spend time with their families and loved ones. We also recognise that some volunteers and staff will also be attending Sunday service in their churches and as such, we make a commitment to respect Sunday as a day of rest for all.
- Do you partner one-off and short-term volunteers?
The Salvation Army partners volunteers over a whole spectrum of projects with varying commitment levels. For more information, please see the "Opportunities" menu.
- Some of the assignments require a specific number of volunteers but how do I go about it if I have a larger group?
Some assignments have been designed to accommodate a specific number of volunteers, to ensure that there is meaning volunteer partnership and also with consideration to space and safety constraints etc.
However, if your group size is larger than the number of volunteers needed for the assignment, you may wish to consider forming smaller teams and having them rotate on weekly basis for some of the assignments. Please contact us for more information on which assignments would allow for such arrangements.
- Are there overseas projects that I can participate in?
We do not currently organise overseas projects. However, opportunities to "do good" locally remains plentiful, with the many needy and underprivileged in Singapore.
For more information on volunteering in Singapore, please refer to "Opportunities" menu.
- Can I initiate a project with The Salvation Army?
Volunteers are welcome to come partner us in existing programmes and activities or initiate meaningful projects that would help the Army’s work with the needy and underprivileged. You can find some resources to get you started on your project under "Resources".
You may also wish to browse for ideas under "Stories", which showcase the various meaningful volunteer projects embarked in the past.
Generally speaking, we do look at 5 main factors when considering projects initiated by volunteers:
a) How does it benefit the beneficiaries?
b) How does it benefit the volunteers?
c) Does the group have the resources (e.g. manpower and financial) for the project?
d) Does The Salvation Army have the resources (e.g. manpower) to support the project?
e) Is the project sustainable in the long run?
- How do I go about if we need funding for our self-initiated projects?
The Salvation Army would like to support you in initiating volunteer projects that would make a difference and help the beneficiaries. However, given the financial needs for the various programmes and services for the beneficiaries, we are unable to provide funding for projects. We can however, point you the where you can obtain funding and/or resources for projects and these can be found under "Resources".
- I am interested to initiate a fundraising/collection drive
involving the public and would like to adopt The Salvation Army as the
beneficiary. Can The Salvation Army help to apply for the police license?
All fundraising and collection drives involving members of the public would require the relevant police license. In this case, the organiser and initiator of the project will need to apply for the relevant police license.
For more information on how to plan a fundraising/collection drive, please refer to "Resources".
Registering to be a Volunteer
- How do I go about applying to be a volunteer with The Salvation Army?
Joining The Salvation Army as a volunteer is simple. Click here for some guidelines.
- Can I submit my application to be a volunteer through email?
Volunteers are strongly encouraged to submit their application forms through post or email.
To make it more convenient for volunteers to sign up as volunteers, you may opt to submit your application form through email.
In such a case, we would need you to bring along your original and signed application form when you report for your assignment and have it submitted to your volunteer coordinator.
- When will I know whether my placement is successful? Will someone be contacting me about my placement?
You will be contacted by our Volunteer Coordinator about your application shortly after receipt of your form.
Should you not hear from us after 3 weeks, please do not hesitate to check with us by calling us at Tel: 6555-0232 or emailing volunteer@SMM.salvationary.org.
- What if there is no match to volunteer assignments in The Salvation Army?
The Salvation Army places emphasis on placing our volunteers into appropriate assignments taking into consideration various factors such as interests, experiences, skills, preferences etc.
Should the placement not be successful, we will inform you but will continue to keep you on our mailing list to keep you updated of new volunteer opportunities (unless you have indicated otherwise).
- What is the minimum age to volunteer with The Salvation Army?
While we encourage all to partner us as volunteers and also family volunteering, volunteers should be at least 14 years of age, unless accompanied by an older sibling, parent or guardian.
For children and youth services, volunteers will need to be at least 17 years old, in view of the nature of work with the beneficiaries.
In line with statutory requirements, all volunteers taking part in fundraising projects involving members of the public are required to be at least 16 years of age.
- Do I have to be a Christian to volunteer with The Salvation Army?
The Salvation Army is a Christian church which aims to meet communtiy needs without discrimination. As such, it works with people from all walks of life. We welcome all to partner us in caring for the beneficiaries, including volunteers from all faith groups. One does not have to be a Christian to be a volunteer with The Salvation Army.
- Can volunteers from outside of Singapore volunteer?
We appreciate the interest of overseas friends in partnering us to care for our beneficiaries. However, we do not currently have a scheme to support overseas volunteers, given the financial needs for the various programmes and services for the beneficiaries.
Should one still be keen to render his/her services to The Salvation Army, he/she may wish to contact the local office of The Salvation Army in their home country.
You can access the contact information at The Salvation Army's international website at http://www.salvationarmy.org.
- How soon can I start volunteering?
The Salvation Army places emphasis on volunteer-assignment fit, in ensuring that volunteers have a meaningful volunteer experience. As such, we would usually take time to explore options with the volunteer, taking into consideration the volunteer's skills, experience, interest etc.
In addition, we would also need some time to make arrangements with the centres/corps/programmes for your placement.
In view of this, kindly do allow about 2 weeks for your placement to be confirmed.
Others
- How can I find out more about volunteering with The
Salvation Army or be kept on the mailing list of volunteer opportunities in The
Salvation Army?
To find out more about volunteering with us, do visit our volunteering website at http://sg.salvationarmy.org/volunteer.
To be on our mailing list, click here.
- Can I get certification of my voluntary involvement with The Salvation Army?
Yes, your time spent as a volunteer is considered as community service. You are thus able to clock community service hours for it. Please do let us know that you require certification of your voluntary involvement when you start volunteering with us.
- I am an active volunteer and I need to notify The Salvation Army of changes in my personal particulars. How do I go about doing it?
Keeping The Salvation Army updated of changes in personal particulars would help us stay in touch with you and contact you as necessary. Should there be a change in your personal particulars, please complete the Change of Personal Particulars form.
