Willing Hearts ✓ ACRA Verified

Jon Wee ★☆☆☆☆

2 months ago

My child's first volunteering experience at Willing Hearts is ruined. 1) Disorganised - no specific delegation of tasks. On the website, they welcomed kids but Joanne told me no tasks for kids. My kid overheard her saying "kids are troublesome". 2) No clear instructions. When you try to do something without instructions, they will tell you off. I was told off because i took intiative. We were standing around and i saw that nobody helped with the vegetables, so i asked other volunteers and they said i could help. In the end, i was snapped at. 3) unprofessional staff. I was informed i could help with delivery but in the end there wasnt any follow up when i arrived. Then, we were told there was nothing to do and asked to wait around. Why would i come all the way to Eunos to wait for hours for something to do? Staff told me to either come early morning slot or donate food items or money. They dont need manpower.

Nupur Khemka ★☆☆☆☆

2 months ago

We signed up and went to Willing Hearts hoping you volunteer. When we reached, we kept looking around on who we could ask. The lady in charge was sitting right there the whole time. Then when we asked her, she just said go inside. When we went inside, everyone is doing their work. Again, there was no one we could ask on what we should do. We do not want to take anyone’s time but atleast need to know how we can help. Very disappointed to see this is how the charity is run. We chose to immediately leave from there and definitely not want to volunteer here again.

khuyen vo ★★★★☆

9 months ago

I have been volunteering with Willing Hearts for more than 30 hours, so here are my thoughts. Whenever I reach the place, I will - Scan the QR code (behind the big standing fan) or sometimes will be on the table. - If you have not registered in advance, you can still walk in, but you must ask for the Time Sheet (available on the table near the packing area). - Put on the disposable apron, mask, and hair net. All are provided by Willing Heart. Normally I will prepare by myself. - Proceed to the preparation area, take a cutting board, and choose the knife that is suitable for your hand. There are many heavy and big knives in the basket, but I normally choose the smaller size. Kindly be advised that some knives are super dull, so if you have knife sharping skills, that it great!!! - Observe what veggies are still available and off you go! Here is the list of what I have been cutting after few times attending: - Cucumber (batonnet): cut off the head and tail, slide down vertically into 2 or 3, depending on the size of the cucumber, scoop the seeds off, then cut into shorter pieces around 5cm, then slice all - Corn (need a bigger knife to chop): remove the husk and silk, and chop the corn into pieces of 4 to 5cm - Squash/Zucchini (batonnet): like the cucumber, without removing the seeds, but cut in a horizontal direction into 3 chunks, then slide into thin slices, - Cabbage (batonnet): remove the hard center part, then just cut it into small pieces that can be eaten easily - Potatoes (cube): peel first, then wash, then cut into small cubes - Onions (slice or wedges): peel first, then wash and slice - Garlic, and small onions: peel the skin *Kindly be advised that some of them are not in good condition, some are moldy, rotten, and watering, so just remove all of that - Salad (butterhead or leaf lettuce): just separate the leaves from the root Meet - Ham, fish cake (baton) - Assorted Sausage (cube) NOTES: - The cutting depends on which type of food Willing Heart is preparing on that day as well. So the list above is for your reference only. - After finishing cutting one thing, I will wash my cutting board and knife and start a new round. - Once there is nothing to be cut, we will clear the trash, sweep the floor, wipe the tabletop that you have been using - Scan the QR code to clock out and voila, your volunteer day is ended. You can also help washing food trays in the back area as well. (+) - Families with kids can attend, the staff will choose some veggies that are easy for the kids to prepare - Have tables and chairs for you to sit down - Can get access by bus 33, exactly right outside the venue - Have a small restroom (but don't expect it to be exceptionally clean) - Have a few eateries surrounding, but you will need to walk around 7 - 10 minutes, depending on which directions you choose - Ms. Chona is very friendly; she will guide you on how to prepare the veggies. If you have any questions or don't know how to cut the veggies, she will explain and demonstrate them to you. The other lady is kind as well (sorry I don't know her name yet), it is just the way she talks is a little bit loud and straightforward, so you might think that she is scolding you, but it is not. - Lunch is provided, quite simple food like stir-fried vermicelli, beans, and fried fish. Water is provided as well. I got iced lemon tea last month. (-) - Knives and peelers are not very sharp, so if you are used to sharp things, you might find these hard to use. - Aprons/hair nets/gloves sometimes are not available, so to me, it is better to prepare by yourself - For those who are looking for the certification, you can only get it after you have finished 30 hours. - Sometimes it is quite crowded, and everything is finished at noon, so it is better to register for the morning shift - Not very wheelchair-friendly. You can still let your wheelchair in, but your station will be outside, and the table might be a little bit too high for you. - There is a rest room for you, but please set your expectation that it is not very clean.

rey ★☆☆☆☆

a month ago

I’ve been volunteering at Willing Hearts about twice a week for a month, but my last two visits were very disappointing. On my second visit, a male staff member at the packing station was extremely hostile and micromanaging. During my most recent visit, he was again unfriendly. At the vegetable station, an auntie repeatedly raised her voice at volunteers, including a group of students, often due to miscommunication as she gave instructions only in Chinese despite there being non-Chinese speakers. She shouted at the students for mixing rotten leaves into the clean pile, saying they were making her life harder. My partner and I were also spoken to harshly, told we were too slow at cutting vegetables, and compared negatively to her pace. At one point, we were loudly scolded for rotten leaves that had actually been thrown in by others. Later, two SUTD students agreed to take over our station as I was feeling unwell. We cleaned most of the area, changed the trash bags, and informed them they only needed to finish the remaining vegetables and wash the boards. However, as we were leaving, the auntie angrily accused us of being irresponsible and insisted we clean again without clarifying what had happened. When we explained that the SUTD students had agreed to take over, we were dismissed, and another uncle told us to just help clean despite the explanation. I understand volunteering can be hectic, but the repeated shouting, blame, and lack of respectful communication towards volunteers, including students, made the environment very uncomfortable. Sadly, I won’t be returning.

Weixin Wee ★☆☆☆☆

2 months ago

The WORST place to volunteer ever! 1) staff Joanne gave no clear instructions in terms of washing vegetables. 2) Joanne asked me and my youths to GET OUT of the kitchen as she said we waste water. 3) GAVE children and youths their FIRST WORST experience ever. 4) Dont go there if you want to bring your children and youths to learn volunteerism. I worked in voluntary orgs for more than 10 years. No where treated their volunteers so bad. We dont need the via hours. We want to learn how to serve others. Give clear instructions and stop shouting at us