The term “meaningful engagement” is used in this module to include paid work as well as hobbies, sports, artistic expression, leisure activities, volunteering, cultural activities, spiritual practices, learning pursuits and personal development activities.
Anyone can have meaningful engagement.
For example, John cycles 40 km around the island with a small group of friends every Saturday. It is not a job, but it is a meaningful engagement.
Weng San enjoys working three days a week at a cafe as a kitchen helper. He is learning how to prepare simple meals. To Weng San, his part-time job is meaningful engagement.
What Do Meaningful Engagements Offer?
A meaningful engagement is an activity that offers one or more of the following:
- It serves some purpose
- e.g., delivering free lunch packets to seniors living alone in HDB estates
- The activity is usually challenging
- e.g., cycling around Singapore to raise funds for charity
- It can be fun and enjoyable
- e.g., playing computer games in a competition
- It can be hard work
- e.g., practising for an upcoming table tennis tournament
- The performer increases his capability
- e.g., by repairing different brands of mobile phones
- The performer is pushed beyond his comfort zone
- e.g., volunteering to help someone he does not know very well
- The performer looks forward to the activity with excitement and motivation
- e.g., attending an outward-bound training.
