OUR WORK

Since our inception in 2011, we’ve pioneered transformative creative arts therapy in Singapore — catalyzing profound change in countless lives.

OUR APPROACH

Since 2011, The Red Pencil (Singapore) team has been devoted to bringing the benefits of creative arts therapy in Singapore to many beneficiaries, working with partner organisations and the local art therapists’ community to achieve its objectives and mission and to raise awareness of art therapy.

Anyone, anywhere, at any stage of their life, can benefit from creative arts therapy.

COLLABORATION

Our approach is collaborative in nature: our programmes are tailored to assist and enhance the psychosocial framework of existing organisations in Singapore.


COST EFFICIENCY

We believe in channelling the funds entrusted by the generosity of our donors and grant makers to direct interventions for the service users with only a small percentage being used for the indispensable administration of our operations.

SUSTAINABILITY

Our programmes are designed to be sustainable with long-lasting effects. We cultivate the concept of visual journaling in both our sessions and workshops.

“For many of the underprivileged individuals and families that we serve, words alone cannot capture the depth of their mental distress.”

Karen Tay Koh
Board Advisor to The Red Pencil (Singapore)

Before the arts therapy programme, my child had very low self-respect. She was in a state of denial and was not aware that domestic abuse was wrong. She also constantly blamed herself for any negative experiences. Over a period of time, she started to express more interest in attending the arts therapy sessions and showed improvement in terms of self-respect.

Shared by:

A mother who is residing in Casa Raudha Women Home with her child

We engaged arts therapists from The Red Pencil (Singapore) to encourage expression, transformation and well-being through the creative process of arts-making at the Pertapis Centre for Women & Girls (which provides residential care for young women from dysfunctional families and are in need of shelter, care and protection, are beyond parental control or are in conflict with the law.”

Women on a Mission (WOAM)

In Support of the Pertapis Centre for Women & Girls

Our residents have benefitted tremendously from the Art Therapy Workshop (8 sessions) sponsored by The Red Pencil (Singapore). We found the workshop to be both beneficial and effective in helping our residents develop self-awareness as well as manage their feelings. For example, one of our residents uncovered his newfound creativity and talent for the art. Another resident was also able to express his feelings and emotions through his art pieces. The sessions not only proved to be engaging but was also able to boost their self-confidence and interest. Other residents also found the workshop enjoyable, relaxing and helped reduce anxiety. We look forward to continue this collaboration with The Red Pencil to empower our beneficiaries to become captains of their own lives!

Florence Chow

General Manager of Singapore Cheshire Home

The art therapy sessions had helped these children of ex-offenders to channel their emotions and stress, enhance their self-esteem and manage behaviours. Thank you for empowering our children and we look forward to continuing this good partnership with The Red Pencil (Singapore).

Elvis Oversee

Deputy Director of Industrial & Services Co-operative Society Ltd (ISCOS)

Since 2017, The Red Pencil (Singapore) has been providing group and individual art therapy services for the residents of Star Shelter, a temporary refuge for abused women and children. The Red Pencil team has always been working closely with Star Shelter, to understand our resident’s needs and tailor customised programmes to provide relevant and effective therapeutic experience. The outcomes have been beneficial to our residents. We have seen them become more confident and resilient in rebuilding their lives free from violence. We appreciate the partnership.

Lorraine Lim

Manager of Star Shelter, Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO)

Our Service Users*

*Figures as of 2024

Our Monitoring & Evaluation procedure helps us to better measure the impact and relevance of our work. It provides invaluable information to design effective arts therapy programmes and continuously improve our work.

In 2017, The Red Pencil (Singapore) embarked to solidify and improve its existing Monitoring & Evaluation practices.

We implemented a Monitoring and Evaluation framework with the guidance of Doctor Andy Ho Hau Yan, Assistant Professor of Psychology of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and other research agencies.

Dr Andy Ho focuses on the impact of arts therapy in reducing work-related stress among care workers in Singapore, and its positive effects on elevating the beneficiaries’ sense of resilience, self-awareness, acceptance and compassion.

The Red Pencil (Singapore) would like to extend its gratitude for being able to benefit from his great expertise.

Creative arts therapy in Singapore is changing lives.

The Red Pencil (Singapore) works towards behavioral change in terms of building our beneficiaries’ confidence and resilience.

Read on to see how our programmes have contributed to improving their participants’ lives.

We Only Need Love

Sue (pseudonym) is a primary school-aged girl who was diagnosed with cancer and is now in remission. She was referred for art therapy along with her younger sisters.

Art Never Retires

Diana (pseudonym) is a septuagenarian service user in a senior citizens’ home. Diana was one of the participants in an 8-session group art therapy program which targeted issues such as isolation and a general loss of interest in daily activities.

The Purple Galaxy

Anne is a teenage girl with a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. She shows difficulties in her self-esteem and has been supported through play therapy.

To read more stories of change, click here.