More than 2,100 residents, volunteers, schools and community groups were honoured today at HDB Community Day 2025 for their dedication to building caring, inclusive and vibrant neighbourhoods across Singapore. Among them were 41 trailblazing volunteers from Tengah, commended for their help to lay the foundations for strong community bonds in Singapore's newest town. Held at the Plantation Plaza the first neighbourhood centre in Tengah the event also marked the official opening of the neighbourhood centre. Tengah’s second neighbourhood centre, Parc Point, will begin operation from the first quarter of 2026.

Planting the Seeds of Community Even Before Residents Move In

2 Community building in Tengah began well before the first residents moved in. Through surveys conducted by HDB since 2019, over 6,500 Tengah homebuyers from 22 precincts have shared their feedback on facilities they would like to see in the town, and helped shape the plans for the town. For example, they welcomed the plans for sheltered linkways and cycling paths, and these are now integrated into Tengah’s transport routes, providing a well-connected network for residents to walk and cycle safely throughout the town.

3 HDB has also engaged more than 13,000 Tengah households since July 2023 through MyNiceHome Roadshows held to familiarise incoming flat owners with their estates, as well as during their key collection appointments. These touchpoints helped identify residents who were keen to play a more active role in their community.

4 To-date, more than 400 Tengah residents have signed up to be part of the Friends of Our Heartlands (FOH) Volunteer Network¹. Of these, over 50 are actively leading initiatives such as familiarisation tours for new residents, and educational activities to promote gracious living. Volunteers also share useful tips on keeping shared spaces clean, conduct workshops to encourage gardening in Tengah, as well as run upcycling classes where residents turn waste materials into useful items.

5 Among them are Mr Madhavan Ramakrishnan, a volunteer team-leader, and 16-year-old Phoebe Tan. Together with their fellow volunteers, they launched 'School's Out, Fun's in @ Tengah', which transformed void decks into fun and playful learning spaces for residents during the school holidays. The programme attracted some 100 parents and children, teaching values like kindness and consideration while building new friendships among families. Along with other volunteers, Madhavan and Phoebe also created a life-sized version of the classic game Snakes and Ladders with a twist. Their "Neighbourliness Snakes and Ladders" was designed to encourage good neighbourly behaviours like friendly greetings to our neighbours or being considerate by keeping public spaces clean for the community. For their contributions, the duo were among 41 recipients recognised with the FOH Award.

Left: Madhavan (1st row, 1st from the right) and Phoebe (2nd row, 6th from the left) at the “School’s out, Fun's in @ Tengah” event, where volunteers engaged residents through a series of educational game stations.
Right: Phoebe interacting with a resident at the event.

6 The early and ongoing involvement of Tengah’s residents is an exemplification of how strong communities can be built from the ground up, even before the first residents move in. This resident-led approach is an example for how every new town can be more than just a place to live, but a vibrant place where compassionate and inclusive communities are built.

Strengthening the Volunteer Network: Mdm Halimah Yacob Appointed Patron of FOH Network

7 To further strengthen the FOH Volunteer Network which now has 3,370 active volunteers, Mdm Halimah Yacob, Chancellor of the Singapore University of Social Sciences and former President of the Republic of Singapore, has been appointed as its Patron. As a strong advocate for ground-up initiatives and a champion for volunteerism, she will play a key role in encouraging volunteerism, sharing her experience, and supporting community leaders in the heartlands.

8 "True community service grows from genuine care and deep interest in the well-being of our neighbours," said Mdm Halimah. "I am heartened by our volunteers' dedication to service. When residents come together to make a difference, they don't just strengthen the community they enrich their own lives and inspire others to join in this meaningful journey."

Mdm Halimah Yacob engaging with FOH volunteers

Celebrating Neighbourliness: Friendly Neighbourhoods Recognised

9 To celebrate friendly neighbourhoods, HDB and the Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) co-organised the second edition of the Singapore's Friendly Neighbourhood Award² (SFNA). The award recognised 12 neighbourhoods, from both HDB and private housing estates for their efforts in keeping the kampung spirit alive. The award received 232 nominations this year.

10 At Bishan East Zone 1, for example, volunteers have created a green hub with a garden, a recycling station, a communal fridge and a library for the community. They have also built a strong support system, with volunteers regularly checking in on elderly residents and helping with grocery runs and medical appointments. Through a digital platform, neighbours share tools, offer help with household repairs, and notify each other of renovation works.

11 Over at Lengkok Bahru, the Healthy You & Me initiative provides food support to some 50 to 60 families through a community fridge stocked with essential food items. Volunteers restock the fridge monthly and coordinate emergency food aid for families in need. Through a partnership with Give.Asia³, the initiative has expanded to Ghim Moh, supporting 30 more families monthly.

12 "The stories of our SFNA winners show that being a good neighbour is a choice one grounded in care, consideration, and kindness,” said Executive Director of SKM, Michelle Tay. “These small, everyday acts build the trust and unity that define strong communities."

Discover More Community Stories

13 The public can explore more inspiring community stories through a special exhibition at Tengah Community Club or browse the digital showcase on HDB InfoWEB starting 26 July 2025.

¹Friends of Our Heartlands (FOH) is an HDB network and volunteer programme that aims to nurture change-makers within Singapore's neighbourhoods. It provides residents and community groups with opportunities to contribute their skills, knowledge, and resources to enhance their communities. Volunteers can help to cultivate neighbourly behaviour, activate community spaces, and facilitate conversations about neighbourhood improvements.

²The SFNA was launched in 2023 to share stories of neighbourliness and inspire more positive interactions and gracious behaviours. Supporting partners include People’s Association (PA), Ministry of National Development (MND), and Municipal Services Office (MSO), in support of the SG Cares movement.

³Give.Asia is a crowdfunding platform that enables individuals and organisations to raise funds for various causes including community projects and charitable initiatives.

HDB Community Day 2025: Tengah Volunteers Lead the Way in Building Stronger Communities