Upon hearing the proposal and purpose the team SANE had for their beneficiaries, Simei Care Centre agreed almost wholeheartedly.

With much consideration of the project requirements – skilful workers for card-making, the staff of Simei Care Centre (SCC) gave their beneficiaries first an assessment on their motor skills. They prepared their beneficiaries by providing focus training for beneficiaries of whom some may have difficulty concentrating due to their cognitive deficits.

When the project first started, SCC had its staff led the team around the centre on a tour of their facilities and befriending beneficiaries of their centre. SCC also trained the team on simple strategies to prevent or deal with responsiveness and disruptiveness related to working with psychiatric patients.

SCC availed a large room where its beneficiaries can participate in the team’s card-making project without feeling closed in or cramped. Drinks and snacks were also provided to those beneficiaries who regularly helped out in the project. Other incentives include special privileges such as a monthly small celebration to encourage their workers. Staff of SCC also monitored their beneficiaries’ comfort level on a regular basis.

In addition, transportation of personnel, goods and purchasing of materials were also arranged by SCC, accompanied by a support staff member to assist the team in their sales. SCC provided free meals for the team and their volunteers, and formed the bulk of manpower behind the making of publicity posters, banners, flyers, calling cards and distribution of goods during outdoor sales at places such as World Book Fair, STOMP carnival and in several tertiary institutions.

As an appreciation for the team’s time and labour of love put into their organisation, a farewell celebration was also organised for them, presenting each team member a letter of recognition for their dedication to the project. Till now, SCC had set aside a store in their centre for sales of the cards and continued working on the project, securing sales in several places. They aimed to market the products at IMH, schools and more places in the future.