Walking alongside those who need us most

Before career coaching and social work, Yuzil studied product industrial design and ran Lego-based workshops in schools.

Walking alongside those who need us most

Through small, simple acts of care, Yuzil Binti Mohd Yusoff proves that meaningful change often starts with simply showing up — and that volunteering, in its many forms, truly is for everyone.

When we first meet Yuzil, she introduces herself not by her profession (career coach) or passions (volunteering), but with her latest endeavour: helping her pet parakeet, Oshi, relearn how to fly.

“His wings had been clipped and he could only hop towards me. Now that his feathers have grown back, I thought — birds are meant to fly, right?” It’s a fitting metaphor for the work Yuzil does — helping others regain their wings at their own pace. Aged 34, Yuzil has already dedicated years to supporting some of the most vulnerable children and youths in Singapore, serving as a Child Protective Service Volunteer (Volunteer Welfare Officer) and youth befriender under the MSFCare Network.

Yuzil and Oshi, who is now a confident frequent flyer.

By day, Yuzil works as a career coach at Yellow Ribbon Singapore, helping ex-offenders reintegrate into society through employment support. But her sense of service doesn’t end with the workday. Over the past six years, Yuzil has quietly and steadily walked alongside children and youths, as a befriender in Singapore Girls’ Home and a Child Protective Service volunteer. 

A different kind of calling

Yuzil’s journey into social service wasn’t exactly planned. Trained in administrative work, she took her first steps into volunteering in 2019 after completing her part-time studies. “I was looking for something meaningful to fill my time,” she recalls. A friend — a Probation Officer — had shared stories from the frontlines, and it sparked a curiosity in Yuzil. “I’d never been exposed to vulnerable communities before. But something about those stories stayed with me.”

That initial interest grew into something deeper. She began volunteering as a befriender at the Singapore Girls’ Home, and when Covid-19 hit, she took on the additional role of Volunteer Welfare Officer with the Child Protective Service, conducting safety checks through home visits and video calls.

“It really opened my eyes,” Yuzil shares. “Before, I had these assumptions — that the girls in the Home were there due to poor choices or life circumstances. But when I got to know them, I realised they’re just like any other youths — exploring, making mistakes along the way and trying to find themselves. The difference lies in the extent of harm of their choices and the level of safety that their environments could provide at that time.”

Small moments, quiet change

For Yuzil, the heart of volunteering lies not in grand gestures, but in slow, steady transformation. “The most rewarding thing is witnessing the quiet changes — a youth becoming more self-aware, a family beginning to rebuild trust, or a child finally opening up after weeks of silence,” she says.

Yuzil has a natural gift for meeting youths where they are — not just emotionally, but in the things that spark their interest. In one of her befriending sessions at the Singapore Girls’ Home, a youth shared her love for fashion and makeup. Wanting to build rapport in a way that felt personal and meaningful, Yuzil brought along makeup samples to their next session. That simple gesture — thoughtful and creative — lit up the conversation and helped the youth feel seen and understood. It’s this kind of intentional engagement that makes Yuzil’s approach so impactful.

This year, Yuzil won Yellow Ribbon Singapore’s Hope Award for her contributions. Coincidentally, the award was made of Lego bricks.

Always positive and encouraging, Yuzil is a steady presence for the youths she supports. She listens without judgment and offers thoughtful, grounded advice. In one case, a youth confided in her about the anxiety of returning to school and reintegrating with her family. Yuzil reminded her gently to take things one step at a time, helping her regain the confidence to move forward at her own pace. Her calm reassurance became a source of comfort — a quiet reminder that change doesn’t have to happen all at once, and that someone will be there, walking beside them.

Volunteering is for everyone

Yuzil’s belief in community support runs deep. “We can only progress as a society if we look out for those in need,” she says. “Volunteering is not just about meeting someone’s immediate needs — it’s about walking beside them as they build the confidence and resilience to shape their own future.”

Yuzil with her fellow MSFCare volunteers.

Currently pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Social Work at Singapore University of Social Sciences, Yuzil is further equipping herself with the knowledge and skills to deepen her impact. Even while taking a short break from volunteering this year to focus on her studies, her commitment to the cause is unwavering.

For those who are considering volunteering but are unsure, Yuzil offers gentle encouragement: “Taking the first step can be scary. I questioned myself too. But organisations like the Ministry of Social and Family Development provide training and support — you won’t be doing it alone.”

Yuzil is currently rehabilitating Nami, another injured parakeet.

When asked whether volunteering is for everyone, her answer is simple. “Yes, but you need to find the kind of volunteering that’s right for you. It’s about how you want to contribute — and trust me, there’s always a way.”

In a world often preoccupied with instant results, Yuzil is a reminder that real change takes time — and a willing heart. And sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do for someone is to walk beside them, one quiet, steady step at a time.

Feeling inspired to take a step into volunteering? Find out more about MSFCare Network. Dig in to more inspiring stories of Singaporeans at SG60 and discover platforms to connect Singaporeans with one another, contribute to our refreshed social compact, and show care for others.