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Celebrating the Everyday HERoes of HomeTeamNS

At the relaunch of its Everyday HERoes campaign, HomeTeamNS staged a fashion show to celebrate the contributions of wives and mothers of Home Team National Servicemen on Mother’s Day.

TEXT: NUR ADLINA BINTE ADAM

PHOTOS: HOMETEAMNS

HomeTeamNS relaunched its Everyday HERoes campaign – which was first launched in 2019 – with a new collaboration with fashion brand SHEIN. Through a runway show modelled by Home Team Operationally Ready National Servicemen and their mothers and wives, HomeTeamNS highlighted the unwavering contributions and support of the latter to their sons and husbands.

The occasion was graced by Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development. In her heartfelt speech, Ms Sun said: “Men and women work in partnership with each other. So, as we celebrate the heroes in our lives, and in this case, celebrate the heroic, brave and good deeds of our men from the Home Team, let us not forget their wives, their mothers, all the women around them who have made their work possible.”

STRUTTING WITH CONFIDENCE

WO2 (NS) Lim June Liang and Florida Liew
COL (NS) Jorge Lau and Angie Yee
CPL (NS) Sharne Jerhn DTA Sulaiman and his Mum
MAJ (NS) Mohd Rozaiman Bin Rosidi, Siti Nurbaya Ahwan and family
MAJ (NS) Mohd Shabirin Bin Ariffin, Noorita and family

The Everyday HERoes Fashion Show accentuated the themes of empowerment and inclusivity, recognising the important contributions of mothers and wives in their sons and husband’s National Service (NS) journey.

The ladies were invited to select and model clothes from the SHEIN collection with their husbands, sons and families. The handpicked pieces was featured on SHEIN’s digital platforms as part of a new partnership between HomeTeamNS and SHEIN.

SHEIN Singapore General Manager, Leonard Lin said: “This Mother’s Day, we are happy to collaborate with HomeTeamNS to honour and celebrate the important women in the lives of the Home Team National Servicemen. The collaboration is a meaningful opportunity for SHEIN to support and empower women and their families. We are glad that the participants were able to handpick items from SHEIN’s collection that showcased their personalities and unique styles on the runway. As a global lifestyle and fashion e-retailer, there is something for everyone at SHEIN, including fashion for men and kids, as well as home and living essentials.”

A DAZZLING TRIBUTE

In commemoration of Mother’s Day, SHEIN Collection Bracelets were presented to the mothers and wives of National Servicemen who attended the event. This new partnership and the campaign will offer HomeTeamNS members and their families access to more fashion, lifestyle, and recreational offerings.

“As we welcome more partners onboard, we will expand our offerings that cater to the varying needs and interests of our mothers, wives, and their families. We will continue to organise more engaging events and activities that aim to bring the families closer together and also some that uplift our ladies on a personal front,” said Ms Agnes Eu, Chief Executive of HomeTeamNS. 

EMPOWERING OUR EVERYDAY HEROES

The HomeTeamNS Everyday HERoes is a HomeTeamNS initiative that recognises the contributions of the mothers and wives of Home Team National Servicemen towards NS as a shared journey between family members. For example, mothers and wives play an integral role in sharing responsibilities and duties when National Servicemen answer the call of duty.

Under the initiative, mothers and wives of HomeTeamNS Ordinary members (with at least two years of valid membership), are eligible to apply for the two-year HomeTeamNS Family Membership at a fee of S$10 each and get 1,000 +HPoints (worth S$10) on your HomeTeamNS Rewards+ Programme. Mothers and wives who sign up or renew their family membership through the Everyday HERoes campaign can participate in giveaways with prizes worth up to S$6,000. Membership sign-ups will run till 30 Nov 2023. For more information on Everyday HERoes and other amazing perks, visit our website.

“Women have often taken on important and multi-faceted roles in the family. As moms, they take care of the household, raising and nurturing their children. As wives, they are partners to their husbands and provide emotional support, companionship, and sharing responsibility to the family, often while juggling work responsibilities simultaneously.”

Ms Agnes Eu, Chief Executive of HomeTeamNS

Like our stories? Subscribe to our Frontline Digital newsletters now! Simply download the HomeTeamNS Mobile App and update your communication preference to ‘Receive Digital Frontline Magazine’, through the app settings.

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Singapore Buzz Family Time

Instagram makeover tips you need to know about

A home makeover to create an aesthetic vibe is easy with these inspiring tips on Instagram.

TEXT: MORGAN AWYONG

PHOTOS: @OURFIRSVTHOME, RICE LAB,  SHUTTERSTOCK, @LIGHKDARKSTARK_STUDIO, @JANNONKWAN & @LEMONFRIDGESTUDIO

If you’re looking to remodel your home, the good news is that finding inspiration to create your dream dwelling is easier than ever. However, renovating your home to fit a specific theme – like Japandi or Industrial – can take a hefty chunk out from your savings.

Rather than following trendy renovation themes blindly – that could soon fall out of style and date your home – why not pick up some makeover tips from Instagram itself?

For a more wallet-friendly makeover for instance, you could spruce up your existing home. Some of these changes just need a new piece of furniture, while others guide you on fundamentals that you can apply throughout your home.

CURVY IS IN

Putting a wall up can be a good thing, especially when it’s a curved one. These homeowners added a wall with a rounded edge to their main living space and it instantly elevated the feel.

Curved walls can help to soften the look of a space. It can serve as a design statement and add visual interest. They have strategically placed the curved corner at a central location, so it can transform the visual mood from multiple angles. And because the curve is only applied to the corner, the cost is reduced and occupies less space than a full wall. Plus, it’s safer if you have kids.

COLOUR STORIES

Architect Khai Toh believes that the best Insta-worthy shots work because of visual storytelling. You can do this in two ways: Adding a pop of contrasting colour to the existing home palette, or creating pockets of activity – like an armchair to read at.

The first is easy, and rather than just relying on furniture, consider items like paintings or a shelf of books to add dynamism to your pictures. Otherwise, you could also paint a single feature wall to add that visual interest.

The second works because the way the items are placed suggests an activity the homeowner partakes in. Khai explains: “What draws me into a picture is the used space; like half-open books or a pen by a sofa – as if someone had just left the spot”.

TILES HAVE CHANGED

Photo: Rice Lab

This company shows off the variety of possibilities available today, including sophisticated designs that appear seamless with clever visual illusions. Textures – unlike colours and forms – are often overlooked when designing homes, and you can include them easily with the right kind of tiles, even if it’s just in one room. Whether placed on the floor or a wall, their addition can transform a space, giving visual and tactile interest just by adjusting some lighting.

SERVE A THROW

Photo: Shutterstock

Combining two of the earlier points about colour and texture, a throw can instantly elevate your existing home setup. These mini decorative blankets might not make much sense in their original function in sunny Singapore, but they can serve another purpose – as an added layer of protection against dust, grime and sunlight.

A throw can be placed on a sofa, armchair, bed or even a side table to add a pop of personality, and with the many designs and materials out there, you’ll likely find one that speaks to you and fits your home. You don’t even need to buy proper throws. Experiment with mufflers or scarves to get the same effect without spending too much.

EXPRESS YOURSELF

When designing a home, we can sometimes lose ourselves to a theme. Magazine and social media-inspired designs might be great but it can feel strangely cookie-cutter if it doesn’t align with your own lifestyle. For instance, a minimalist design theme might appeal to you but may not be realistic if you have three kids and a dog.

Don’t be afraid to inject your own personality with hybrid styles. A colourful dog bed or play station might be just what is needed to differentiate your white walls. Add your favourite sci-fi toy, crocheted cushion cover, vinyl record – these will give your home your unique visual signature.

LIGHTING IS EVERYTHING

Photo: @lighkdarkstark_studio @jannonkwan and @lemonfridgestudio

The right kind of lighting can really impact in a photo, and it does so in three ways. First, having dedicated points of lighting can quickly add visual points of interest as well as suggest areas of activity, like a standing lamp by an armchair. Secondly, you can quickly transform the ambience with different lighting temperatures, especially with hue-changing bulbs.

Lighting can be statement pieces themselves. In this example, the off-kilter lights adds levity to the space with their playful angles. If fixed lightings are too fussy, consider portable versions and LED lighting strips to tuck light into neglected corners for depth and interest.

BRING HOME AN EMOTION

Sometimes the best inspiration comes from places you already love and know. Where’s your happy place? Is there somewhere you go to that makes you feel particularly relaxed?

Why spend all that money at (sometimes) overpriced cafes when you can recreate the café vibe at home? This local design installed a wall seating on one side of the dining table to simulate a cafe, with side embellishments. So be it a spa or bar or hotel room, let your favourite hangouts become your source of inspiration.

Combine one or more of these tips to spruce up your home, and see how easy it is to make it more photogenic. HomeTeamNS members can shop for more chic inspiration ideas at HipVan and enjoy 10 per cent off when they spend a minimum of $500 there.

Like our stories? Subscribe to our Frontline Digital newsletters now! Simply download the HomeTeamNS Mobile App and update your communication preference to ‘Receive Digital Frontline Magazine’, through the App Settings.

Categories
In The Force

Our Role Model: A Father’s Day Special

This father, also a Citizens on Patrol volunteer shares why it’s important to be a role model for his children.

TEXT: HOME TEAM VOLUNTEER NETWORK

PHOTOS: SHANKAR TARAKAD

Portrait photographer Anne Geddes said: “Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.” On this special Father’s Day feature, Mr Shankar Tarakad, a Citizens on Patrol (COP) volunteer, shares his story of being a father and a Home Team volunteer.

VOLUNTEERING TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY

As a COP volunteer, Shankar works with a team of volunteers to keep the area around River Valley, Havelock and Lower Delta safe. They patrol in groups of four or more, ready to answer any questions raised by residents. He shared, “The goal is to allow the residents to reach out to us when we patrol while keeping a visible presence of law, and keep Singapore safe.” Additionally, Mr Shankar also volunteers as a Crime Prevention Ambassador (CPA), which is also part of the Home Team Volunteer Network.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Shankar emphasised, “As a father, I believe children will learn by example when they see their parents stepping out to do something meaningful like volunteering. It allows them to see another perspective of life. This is something I truly believe in.” Since young, his children have witnessed their parents volunteering in many other organisations such as the Community Paying it Forward (CPF) and Samaritans of Singapore (SOS).

Through his volunteering efforts, his children learned that there is a positive impact in helping the community.

His son, Anshul Shankar, who is currently serving his national service with the Singapore Civil Defence Force, as well as his daughter, Anusha Shankar, mentioned that their parents passionately spend their free time volunteering and share with them their voluntary work experiences. In turn, they understood the importance of giving back to the community and being involved in their neighbourhood and society.

Mr Shankar with his family (from left): his daughter Anusha, his wife Anupama Puranik and son Anshul.
Mr Shankar with his family (from left): his daughter Anusha, his wife Anupama Puranik and son Anshul.

LEARNING BY DOING

Shankar discovered by being a volunteer, it teaches him many valuable lessons in life such as:

  • Two-way street communication: You learn from people and you impart your knowledge to them at the same time
  • Widen your vision to the undiscovered: You learn more about the neighbourhood and the residents. Besides giving crime prevention advices, patrolling comes with many “perks”. For example, Shankar now knows which fruit shop sells fresher and cheaper products than supermarkets. He also discovered new food stalls that he now enjoys, such as the Char Kway Teow at Zion Rd.
  • Fulfilment in life: Your life will feel complete and meaningful by doing things that you are passionate about and at the same time, benefitting the community.

Shankar’s acts of kindness and generosity in volunteering showed us that life is more than just work and family. 

Get to know Mr Shankar better through a game of ‘This or That: COP Edition’.

Find out more how you can make a difference in your community. Volunteer with the Home Team Volunteer Network today! You can also check out our Instagram and Facebook Page, @htvolunteers, to learn more about the 11 schemes.

Like our stories? Subscribe to our Frontline Digital newsletters now! Simply download the HomeTeamNS Mobile App and update your communication preference to ‘Receive Digital Frontline Magazine’, through the App Settings.

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