Event Registration

Q: Will there be a bag deposit at the reporting venue?

No, there will not be.

Q: Why do we require your NRIC/FIN for home-cleaning registration?

Your NRIC/FIN helps us to uniquely identify you in our big list of participants, in case there are two people with similar names. The wrist tags that we’ll be issuing you during registration will be tagged to your name and NRIC/FIN. The wrist tags will help us track which individual was assigned to a particular home. We need to know for safety and security reasons, in the event that the home partners lodge complaints over theft or misconduct by participants.

Q: Can my friends and I be grouped together?

We will group participants as they arrive at the registration counter. If you would like to be assigned to the same home as your friends, please arrive and register together. However, we would like to seek your understanding and flexibility if groups needs to be split up.  Our aim is to assign participants to homes where their help is most needed.

Q: What happens if I need to leave halfway through the event?

Please let us know prior to the event and email us at events@habitat.org.sg. Do also inform our staff on the day itself during registration. This is especially important for home-cleaning participants to allow our staff to plan the manpower deployment to each house.

Q: What happens if I decide not to participate after I have registered for the event?

Participants who choose not to participate in the event may choose to withdraw. Please note that the registration is non-transferable and once the registration has been duly processed, there shall be no fee refund for those participants who eventually do not take part.

Q: Can I request to change the size of Event T-shirt after the submission and confirmation of my registration?

No. We seek your understanding that changing of sizes will not be entertained once your registration details are submitted and confirmed. However, please be assured that the size selection made based on the sizing chart we have displayed should provide you with the most accurate fitting.

During Home-Cleaning

Q: What kind of living conditions should I expect to see during the home cleaning session?

While the living conditions of each home will differ, it will be best to prepare yourself for the following: dirty living spaces, hoarding of numerous items in a small space, insects such as bed bugs or cockroaches. Do come with an open mind! Gloves and masks will be provided for volunteers.

Q: What do we do with our bags during Home Sweep Home?

Translucent white plastic bags will be provided for volunteers to store their belongings for the duration of the home cleaning. Please ensure to keep the bags within the homes to prevent theft.

Q: Am I allowed to bring valuables and/or electronic devices?

Yes. However, we will not be responsible for any loss or damage.

Q: What will I be doing?

The scope of work set out for home-cleaning is determined by what our elderly feel they require for their home. Generally, cleaning will include typical household chores like sweeping and mopping the floors, washing toilets and cleaning windows. There are also homes that have requested for their main door and main gate to be painted.

Q: I have never painted gates or done any household chores before - can I still be of help during the cleaning?

Yes! We will have a team of volunteer mentors providing guidance to team members who do not have the experience of painting gates/doors or doing household chores on-site.

We will also be providing volunteers with a simple briefing before the event to equip them with some theoretical skills beforehand.

Q: What if I am injured or unwell in the days leading to the session?

ln the event, you are strongly encouraged to seek consultation from a medical practitioner to determine if you should proceed.

Should you be injured or unwell during the event, please STOP immediately. Alert our nearest event volunteers for assistance. If they are not in sight, inform fellow participants to alert staff at the nearest command post regarding your condition. 

Q: Aunty/Uncle looks really bored sitting at one side of the home. Should we ask them to go downstairs drink kopi?

No! You should never be in a beneficiary’s home without their supervision - even if they do not mind.

You are encouraged to invite the homeowner to be involved in the work. We believe in engaging our beneficiaries in the work done to empower them, give them dignity, and encourage them to take ownership over the process of change.

Q: Aunty/Uncle don’t want to throw those dirty things, though I think they really should. Can I just throw it for them secretly?

No! What may be dirty to us could have been a treasured family heirloom, a wedding gift from ages old, or a memorabilia left behind by a loved one.

We also believe that in order for decluttering to be sustainable, homeowners should be part of the process of letting go of their belongings. Seeking the homeowner for permission to discard items can also save you from potential police reports of missing items!

Q: Aunty/Uncle keeps on insisting to give me drinks but I don’t know how to reject him after the fifth time. What should I do?

While we maintain a strict stance of not accepting monetary gifts, we believe that gifts are some ways homeowners believe they can be part of the process, or show appreciation to volunteers.

Accepting some of these simple gifts from beneficiaries can empower them to realise that they can contribute to the work in different ways, and is a way to respect and show them dignity.

Q: Aunty/Uncle and I are getting along well, and we would like to keep in touch. Can I exchange my contact details with them?

We do not encourage participants to exchange contact details with beneficiaries so as to protect both participants and beneficiaries from potential harassment. Should you wish to return and serve the beneficiary again, we encourage you to approach the respective senior activity centres for volunteering opportunities with them!

Q: Aunty/Uncle says they need some help with some issues that are not mentioned by the Work Chits or HomeOwner Profiles. What do we do?

No worries! Alert your friendly neighborhood Floor ICs and they will take note of the help needed. Meanwhile, take caution not to over-promise anything beyond what is stated so as to avoid disappointing the beneficiaries!

Q: What happens if it rains?

In the event of rain and lightning risks, home cleaning can proceed as usual since we will be under shelter indoors. Please take the necessary precaution to protect yourself from slippery surfaces.

In the event of drizzles, litter picking can continue with ponchos issued to participants for their protection. However, for the safety and well-being of all runners, the Organiser may decide to call off the litter-picking in the event of lightning risk.

During Litter-Picking

Q: Are there any materials that would be given for litter picking?

Yes, participants would be asked to share the following items in pairs for the litter picking session - a black garbage bag for general litter, a blue garbage bag for recyclables, 2 tongs for hard-to-reach areas and 2 pairs of disposable gloves. There will also be wet wipes and ponchos available for your use.

Q: Will there be someone guiding us during the litter picking session?

Yes, you will be assigned to groups with leaders who will guide you through the process and demarcated areas.

Q: Are there any areas that we are not allowed to pick at?

You will be picking litter at common areas such as the void deck, pathways, bus stops and playgrounds. For your own safety, you will not be allowed to pick litter at multi-storey carparks or anything beyond the first (ground) floor. Please do not pick up any sharp objects or attempt to remove drain grills.

Q: What items would be considered recycling?

For the purposes of this event, please use the blue recycling bag for plastic bottles only.

Q: What is the wet weather plan?

Teams will be instructed by their leaders to seek shelter in the event of heavy rain. You may continue to pick litter underneath the HDB blocks. Please listen to your team leaders for further instructions in the chance of a prolonged thunderstorm.

Q: What if I’m not feeling well at the event?

Please let your team leader know and we will be able to provide medical attention as soon as possible.