1. Singapore Pools extend its support of local social enterprise with the official opening of Personalised Love (PLove) Community Studio at the second-level of Singapore Pools’ branch at Blk 351 Jurong East Street 31.

 

2. This is part of Singapore Pools’ decade-long community initiative that began in 2007 to provide charity organisations and social-enterprises at their start-up phase with affordable office space at the second floor unit of some Singapore Pools branches. PLove is the fifth organisation to be benefiting from this programme.


3. “Creating Shared Value” is the idea that being a socially-responsible enterprise goes beyond monetary giving. It extends to the sharing of our corporate assets and capabilities, such as our 2nd floor space at our branches, for enabling social enterprises such as PLove to be able to fulfil their mission. We hope that by addressing these infrastructure needs of our social sector in a cost effective manner, we can help sustain their operations in the long run. In so doing, it is our hope that organisations such as PLove will be able to serve their beneficiaries better,” said Mr Seah Chin Siong, CEO, Singapore Pools.


4. PLove sets up the Community Studio for special-needs artisans to work and interact with the community in a non-institutionalised Environment. It aims to create meaningful connections between the artisans, donors and gift recipients through handcrafted products, designed and handmade by special-needs artisans.


5. “We are very thankful to Singapore Pools for underwriting the 3 years rent-free renewable lease for our community studio to use the second-level of its Jurong East Branch. Singapore Pools also sponsored the renovation to create an uplifting environment for our special needs artisans, volunteers and employees. Without this support, it would have been impossible for PLove to operate in an 80 sqm space given the high cost of business operations in Singapore, key of which is rental cost,” said PLove’s Founder, Ms Yeo Hwee Khim.


6. Launched in 2014, PLove aims to empower special needs persons through various tailored programmes and inclusive employment to realise each individual’s full potential. Youths who graduate from special education schools have limited choices for further training or employment. PLove endeavours to fill the gap in the current pathway by providing customised training and employment for youths with special needs.


7. Since 2007, Singapore Pools has been availing selected second-level units of branches to worthy causes. To date, a number of non-profit organisations and social enterprises have benefited from this scheme, as follows:

 

  • Clubilya – a non-profit drop-in centre for youths at-risk used to operate at the second floor of Singapore Pools’ Yishun Central branch from 2007 to 2009.
  • Caring Fleet – a social enterprise that provides specialised and subsidised transportation services to people with mobility difficulties. Caring Fleet operates at the second floor of Singapore Pools’ Hougang Street 21 branch since 2010.
  • Micro Credit Business Scheme – a social enterprise that provides loans for small businesses. It used to be located at the second floor of Singapore Pools' Holland Drive branch
  • The premiSE by the Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise (raiSE) – an incubator for four social enterprises since September 2016. Its location is at the second floor of Singapore Pools’ Holland Drive branch
  • Personalised Love (PLove) – a social enterprise that provides customised training and employment opportunities for special-needs youths. This Community Studio at the second floor unit of Singapore Pools Jurong East branch is launched on 21 July 2017.

 

About Personalised Love

 

Personalised Love (PLove) is a Social Enterprise specializing in artisanal craft. It is founded on the belief that each special needs youth is gifted and we embrace each individual’s talent. Our mission is to empower special needs persons through various empowerment programs and inclusive employment with the objective of maximizing the full potential of each individual.


It is our desire to celebrate the gifts in each individual, regardless of their disabilities, empowering them as dignified members of society. Currently, PLove employs 16 special-needs artisans who face various conditions:

 

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD);
  • Mild Intellectual Disability(MID);
  • Down's Syndrome; and
  • Cerebral Palsy

PLove's training and work integration model fills a gap in the marketplace for many special needs youths by customising training and employment to create a dignified career pathway for youths who graduate from special education schools.


We customise design and leather crafting training for special-needs youths and promote their creations as retail and corporate gifts. Each leather craft comes with the Maker's Story to promote awareness and inclusivity amongst the public. We aim to be a social enterprise that transforms the lives of those we train and employ.


PLove’s aims to:

 

  • Be an avenue for those who have no employment opportunities except in institutions.
  • Facilitate meaningful engagement improves life skills and well-being of beneficiaries.
  • Relieve financial burden of beneficiaries and their families.
  • Enhance social well-being of beneficiaries.