Every year, the Singaporean of the Year Awards celebrates remarkable individuals who uplift communities and inspire change. Among the nominees for 2024 is Dr. Lim Hong Huay, a former paediatrician and advocate who founded CaringSG to support caregivers of people with special needs.
Every caregiver knows the quiet strength it takes to nurture others while juggling life’s demands. For Dr. Lim Hong Huay, this strength became a driving force to change Singapore’s caregiving landscape.
As a mother to two children with autism, Dr. Lim’s personal challenges ignited a passion that led her to found CaringSG, an organisation supporting caregivers of people with special needs. Dr Lim has made it her mission to ease the challenges caregivers face, connecting them with resources, professional support, and community networks.
A nominee for the Singaporean of the Year 2024 Awards, Dr. Lim’s story is one of resilience, compassion, and her commitment to building a more inclusive Singapore.
The Story Behind Dr Lim Hong Huay’s Advocacy
Dr Lim’s journey to founding CaringSG began with personal experiences as a mother. As a paediatrician, she noticed developmental delays in her firstborn daughter, Marianne, at 18 months old.
Despite her medical expertise, navigating Singapore’s healthcare system was a struggle.
“It was a tough journey because at that time, the services were not comprehensive enough. And the awareness of autism in girls was not very high,” Dr Lim shared in an interview with The Straits Times.
Marianne was only diagnosed at age 11, and years later, Dr. Lim’s youngest child, Lucas, received the same diagnosis at seven.
Balancing her career with caregiving led Dr Lim to leave her medical practice in 2017 after 20 years to focus on her family.
At home, she felt isolated and struggled to find resources and support. Her outlook shifted when she met other parents at Pathlight School.
“For the first time, I was acknowledged not just as a paediatrician, but as a caregiver and a mum,” she reflected.
This realisation, coupled with her own challenges as a caregiver, led her to start CaringSG in 2020. Reflecting on its creation, she shares,
“CaringSG will realise our vision of “One Life. One Family. One community.” because we value every caregiver and child’s life as a unique whole irrespective of our differences. We believe in supporting every family to be healthy and happy throughout life course. We believe in a united special needs community in an inclusive Singapore.”
Today, CaringSG has grown into a 5,000-member-strong organisation.
CaringSG – A Lifeline for Singapore’s Caregivers
For many caregivers in Singapore, the journey feels overwhelming. Caregivers are expected to navigate a maze of services, balance family responsibilities, and face their own struggles, all with limited support.
Here, CaringSG steps in to fill these gaps.
One of its key achievements is Project 3i, a proof-of-concept initiative conducted between 2021 and 2024.
Sole caregiver Jaslyne, opens up about how CaringSG’s CAREwell programme has helped her enhance her caregiving journey and access better support.
The pilot tested three core programmes—CAREconnect, CAREbuddy, and CAREwell—to address pressing needs among caregivers.
The results demonstrate the real-world potential of these initiatives to transform lives.
Read also: How Psychosocial Support Helped a Family Rebuild Amid Chronic Illness
Turning a Pilot into a Blueprint
Project 3i provided support to over 3,150 caregivers during its pilot phase, recording 14,550 touchpoints. Through the initiative, 59% of participants joined support groups for the first time, creating much-needed community connections.
Caregivers also gained access to trained volunteers and professional assistance, addressing challenges such as managing daily caregiving tasks and navigating complex family needs.
Many caregivers felt more connected to their communities, while others found new strategies to improve their own well-being.
Families managing complex situations shared that the support helped them regain stability and improve their quality of life.
Watch also: Unsung Heroes: Caregiver Richard Ashworth
Shaping the Future for Singapore’s Caregivers
Although Project 3i operated as a pilot, its success highlights the potential for a scalable and holistic caregiver support model in Singapore. Dr Lim hopes the programmes can eventually become part of a larger effort to create an inclusive society, where caregivers have access to support at every stage of life.
Reflecting on the overall journey of CaringSG so far, Dr Lim expressed,
“Let’s join hands and hold each other up in this caregiving journey. The birthing is difficult. We will overcome. The building is arduous. We will conquer. The harvest is plentiful. We will labour joyfully.”
Honour Singapore’s Change-makers Through Your Vote
The Singaporean of the Year Award, organised by The Straits Times, celebrates individuals or groups who make meaningful contributions to society. Alongside Dr Lim, the other finalists for the Singaporean of the Year 2024 demonstrate the many ways Singaporeans uplift others and drive progress.
Now in its tenth year, the award highlights stories of resilience, compassion, and excellence. Through recognition of these contributions, the award inspires others to create change in their own unique way.
Voting for the 2024 awards is open until 31 January. Members of the public can cast their votes online at The Straits Times’ official voting page.
The final winner will be announced on 24 February. Cast your vote today to honour their efforts and impact.
