Meet the Dad Who Planted the Seed of Volunteerism and the Daughter Who Made It Bloom

Randilyn Liau, 19 years old. Youth Corp Singapore Leader.

At just 19, Randilyn Liau’s volunteering journey has already come full circle. It began in primary school, delivering meals to seniors with TOUCH Community Services. Fast-forward to the present day, Randilyn is part of the Ambassadors Team in Youth Corps Singapore, encouraging her peers to get involved in giving back and to make volunteering more accessible.

That early exposure to volunteering has steered her towards pursuing a career in the social service space. In preparation, the final-year Ngee Ann Polytechnic student is completing a diploma in Psychology and Community Development.

“I want to contribute to making Singapore a more inclusive space, where everyone feels included in the activities they participate in and the shared conversations we hold. And that they feel appreciated and belong.”

Randilyn (left) with her dad, Eric Liau (right), at a recent volunteering session with TOUCH Community Services.

None of this would have happened if her dad had not planted the first seed of interest in volunteer work. Here’s how it has since bloomed into a deep commitment to community work.

Growing Up with Community Values

Randilyn (right) and her 2 siblings volunteering together at a young age as part of their Scout group initiative.

Beyond Scouts, the family would wrap Christmas gifts for seniors and deliver them while wearing Santa hats.

Although Randilyn began volunteering as a child, she admits she had not yet fully grasped the meaning or significance of what it meant. To her, it was “just the way she was brought up”.

But towards the end of secondary school, her teachers nominated her to take part in the National Youth Council’s Our Singapore Leadership Programme (OSLP). At the four-day programme, she was inspired by others who were contributing to various causes.

“It made me want to start volunteering again, after a long period of not volunteering in secondary school, because of how much I enjoyed interacting with like-minded peers.”

Learning to Serve, Learning to Care

Randilyn engaging a senior at St. Andrew's Nursing Home (Aljunied), alongside her volunteer befrienders (in red), as part of an engagement session under the Youth Corps LeadersProgramme, Project Garden Connections.

Eager to make the most of the gap between finishing O-Levels and starting polytechnic, Randilyn began exploring volunteer roles at social service agencies across Singapore. It was a chance encounter — walking past The Red Box, the headquarters of Youth Corps Singapore (YCS) — that first drew her to the organisation.

She signed up as a volunteer befriender for Project Shine, working with young persons with developmental disabilities at Rainbow Centre to develop their fine motor skills and build daily living skills that would foster greater independence.

It was also where she first crossed paths with participants from the Youth Corps Leaders Programme (YCLP), an encounter that eventually led her to sign up herself.

“It was my first time interacting with persons with disabilities and I really bonded with the youth I was tagged to. It was a very wholesome experience.”

From there, Randilyn went on to Garden Connections, another YCLP project where she engaged seniors at St. Andrew’s Nursing Home (Aljunied) through interactive activities to build bonds and enhance their well-being.

How Service Has Changed Her

Randilyn (in black, facing the camera) conducting a post-session debrief for her volunteer befrienders (in red)

With Garden Connections, Randilyn took on dual roles – serving as the main IC for volunteer management while also supporting the team’s fundraising efforts as the second IC for finance.

In her volunteer management capacity, she oversaw the volunteer engagement life cycle and co-ordinated more than 50 volunteers across 16 engagement sessions.

“I care deeply about volunteer retention, so I’m always reflecting on how volunteering can be made more sustainable for people. I always ask. ‘How can we make it such that volunteers join us and they want to return?’

The biggest challenge is creating an inclusive space for the volunteers. Not all the volunteers know one another. Some volunteer with friends, while others come alone. That’s why I put in a lot of effort to observe everyone and facilitate conversations so they make friends and no one is left out.

It has also changed how I think about leadership. I realised it’s more about being friends and equals with the people you lead (not like you’re directing them). I want to look out for all the volunteers, make them feel appreciated and feel comfortable when they come to our sessions.”

Finding Purpose Through Volunteering

Randilyn and her peers, at a regular volunteering planning session.

Randilyn’s volunteering journey began with following in her father’s footsteps to give back to her community. When asked about how he feels about his daughter’s contributions to her community, Randilyn’s father said:

“Randilyn is a person who cares about everybody around her and watches out for those who are quietly in a corner. As her father, I'm really proud of what she has done on her own.

It’s something I never expected her to do. It sets me at ease to know that she can take care of herself and others as well.”

After completing the YCLP programme, Randilyn had initially wanted to step back from volunteering to focus on her studies. But when she attended Youth Corps Open House, she came across another volunteering opportunity that resonated with her so strongly she couldn't pass up.

Through giving back to others, Randilyn has found that she has gained just as much in return.

“Through volunteering, I’ve become a more empathetic person. Everyone deserves kindness. I’ve realised the importance of being present, especially when with the beneficiaries. I enjoy interacting with many different groups of people. I’m curious to speak with and learn more about the beneficiaries I encounter, fellow volunteers, and even staff at social service agencies.

Volunteering has brought a lot of joy to my everyday life and made me realise that my efforts can make an impact on others. Ultimately, I’m proud of myself for constantly putting myself out there and continuously choosing to give back.”

Reflecting on her own start, Randilyn believes the main barrier to volunteering is that young people are unaware of the many volunteering programmes that exist. If you’re a youth looking to make a difference, platforms such as the SG Youth Forum and the upcoming Youth Corps Open House provide opportunities to connect with like-minded peers, discover new causes and turn ideas into reality.