Latest news with #AccessSingapore
Time Out
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
*Scape gets a major glow-up and it's all about the next generation
You can't separate a Millennial's fond memories of youth from *Scape, the low-rise mall steps away from Somerset MRT station. While the cool kids of that era have since grown up, *Scape is determined to uphold its reputation as Singapore's top youth hangout – starting with an ongoing refresh that's been in the works since 2022. Three years on, we can now anticipate the grand unveiling of its brand new era in November. Swapping out its past pre-loved flea sales for curated pop-up markets, underground concerts for live music by local talent, and cutesy purikura Neoprints for trendy Korean-style photo booths, *Scape will continue to serve as a hub for Singapore's youth, but tweaked to the tastes of today's crowd. And dance enthusiasts no longer have to park themselves at a random corner of the mall or its rooftop anymore, because there are now dedicated open spaces – with full-length mirrors, no less – where you can practise choreography with your crew. Speaking of music and dance? Renowned K-pop agency SM Entertainment will be setting up shop here with its first talent academy in Southeast Asia, with opportunities for further training in Seoul. But if dreams of stardom don't excite you, look forward to watching larger-scale concerts within the five-storey complex, with The Ground Theatre almost doubling its capacity as part of *Scape's whole spruce-up. Photograph: Access Singapore Along with the revamp comes all-new youth community space The Trampoline. An initiative by charity organisation Access Singapore, this inclusive centre aims to level the playing field for underprivileged young people through career guidance, creative workshops, and mentorship programmes for personal growth. upcoming programmes including thrift markets, a wellness-focused art exhibition, and sober coffee raves with DJ sets – things are already buzzing and we can't wait for more.
CNA
08-07-2025
- General
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Mind Your Money - Access Singapore: Opening doors for disadvantaged youths
A youth-led charity is breaking barriers and creating opportunities through mentorship, career exposure and fellowship programmes at their newly launched space The Trampoline. Hui Wong learns how Access Singapore empowers disadvantaged youths to build confidence, explore career paths and shape their futures with Clarence Ching, Founder and Executive Director, Access Singapore
Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
New youth space at *Scape to give over 3,000 disadvantaged youth a leg up in life
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo (second from left) interacting with alumni of Access Singapore during the opening of The Trampoline on July 5. SINGAPORE – A new youth space in the heart of town is aiming to support more than 3,000 disadvantaged young people over the next three years, and give them a leg up in their career. Located in the revamped *Scape in Orchard Road, The Trampoline will be home to mentoring programmes for young people, and act as a place for them to network, said Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo on July 4. The space is a partnership between *Scape and local social mobility charity Access Singapore, and is part of broader efforts to develop the Somerset Belt as a vibrant youth precinct, he said, speaking at a launch event of the space. 'Going forward, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) wants to create more spaces and empower youths... to take the lead and make a difference,' Mr Neo said. In line with this, *Scape will introduce a new grant to give funding support of up to $1,000 to young people who run projects around the Somerset Belt that do good for the community, he added. The fund, called Grant for Good, will launch on Aug 1, and will support 60 projects over the next year. More information will be shared closer to the launch date. Like the young people of the past, those today will have to overcome challenges and take Singapore forward, said Mr Neo. 'A key priority for me as acting minister, therefore, is enabling our youth to have the conviction and confidence to pursue their diverse aspirations,' he said, adding that MCCY and the National Youth Council (NYC), together with partners, are working to develop a five-year action plan. This is 'to empower youth to develop to the fullest of their potential and to achieve their aspirations', Mr Neo said, adding that over 6,300 young people have been engaged on this plan. 'I think this generation of youth inspires us in their own ways,' he said. 'Not least, in terms of challenging us to redefine success to be broader.' Speaking to The Straits Times, Access founder Clarence Ching said that what Mr Neo said aligns with his goal of empowering young people who come from disadvantaged families by providing mentorship, industry fellowships and career programmes with businesses and government partners. Access will run four programmes at The Trampoline, he said. Pathways is a half-day career exposure session with industry professionals, while Access Career Exploration is a case challenge, where young people solve real-world problems with mentor support. Mentorships is a modular programme where mentors will guide youngsters in exploring different academic and career routes, and support their individual development. The fourth is the Access Fellowship Programme, a two-month initiative for financially disadvantaged students that offers skills training, mentorship and networking opportunities. Access also hopes to use its new space to get young people and alumni from these programmes to make friends and support one another, and also come up with plans and work with the authorities to help redesign the Somerset Belt, he said. It also is envisioned as a shared space for charities, social enterprises and other ground-up initiatives that struggle with finding low-cost venues to host their programmes for youngsters. Mr Ching said: 'I hope youth will use this space to pursue their passions and interests, whether through the workshops held at The Trampoline or even through initiatives they run on their own at our space. 'The Trampoline is a for-youth, by-youth initiative, and there's nothing I want more than to see them making it their own and using it to chase their aspirations.' Mr Mohammed Ariff, 21, who was part of Access' very first programme in 2019, said that hopes this new space can be a comfort zone for young people, where they can come and make friends and relax. He added that through Access' programmes, and the growth of *Scape as a youth hub, he hopes that the young people of Singapore will use it to give back to the community. Mr Mohammed Ariff was part of Access' very first programme in 2019. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Mr Ariff attended a mentorship programme with Access when he was just 15 and in 'bad company'. But the programme helped him discover his interests in content creation and video editing, and led him on a journey of change, he said. He will be graduating with a work-study diploma in land transport engineering from ITE in 2025, and hopes to pursue a degree in engineering in the future. He plans to network with others in the programmes at The Trampoline. 'I want to inspire people with my journey,' he said. 'That it is not about the past, but how you want to end your journey well.'
