With the proliferation of technology, societies today have become highly reliant on digital access. Essential services, information and access are rapidly being digitised – from digital communications to online banking. Hence, vulnerable communities that lack resources or skills to keep up with such technological advancements risk being left behind and excluded digitally, worsening social and economic disparities.
Singtel Touching Lives Fund
The Singtel Touching Lives Fund (STLF) is our corporate philanthropy programme that raises funds for charities helping children and youth with special needs in Singapore. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Singtel and our business associates and partners, employees and members of the public, STLF has raised over S$57 million since its launch in 2002. Singtel fully underwrites all fundraising costs so that every dollar donated to STLF goes to our beneficiaries. For more information, please visit Singtel Touching Lives Fund and read the STLF Impact Report.
Digital enablement
To address the digital divide, we also work closely with several national agencies and charity partners to enhance connectivity and access for vulnerable groups such as seniors, low-income families and migrant workers.
Digitally enabling seniors
Singtel supports the Digital for Life national movement, which rallies the community to help citizens embrace technology in their day to day living. Our social impact initiatives also aim to create a digitally inclusive society, supporting our commitment to empowering vulnerable groups with the necessary digital skills to succeed in today’s digital age. We conduct regular workshops for seniors where our staff volunteers impart digital knowledge and share tips on scam identification and protection with them. For our efforts, Singtel has been recognised as a Champion of Digital for Life by IMDA in 2024, our second consecutive year receiving this award.
Enhancing digital inclusion for migrant workers
The migrant worker community has always played a significant role in Singapore’s progress, with more than half of them using our prepaid mobile services. We engage and educate them on topics like 5G, mobile remittance and scam awareness.
Optus Donate Your Data™
In 2019, Optus launched Donate Your Data™ in Australia to bridge the digital divide for Australians who do not have regular access to internet or the skills to utilise connectivity effectively. Through the programme, Optus customers can donate their excess data to those in need. Optus partners charities like The Smith Family, Good360 Australia and KARI Foundation to provide young people, families and other Australians with free internet access, so that they can access vital services, education platforms, employment opportunities and connect with others.
Singtel Group Future Makers
We have long recognised that technology and innovation can play important roles in supporting and meeting community or social needs, something now embedded in the NCSS Social Service Sector Strategic Thrusts (4ST) to develop a future-directed social service sector in Singapore. Our Singtel Group Future Makers programme launched in 2016 has funded over S$5 million to support more than 85 local and regional social impact start-ups. These start-ups harness technology to provide innovative solutions that various sectors, such as disability, seniors and agriculture can benefit from. Find out more Singtel Future Makers and Optus Future Makers.
Education and employability
At Singtel Group, we are committed to corporate social responsibility. Through our strategic community programmes and philanthropic contributions, we hope to empower vulnerable segments of society, including disadvantaged children, youths and families, persons with special needs and Indigenous Australians to reach their fullest potential.
Australian Business and Community Network
In Australia, our initiatives focus on improving educational and employment opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and groups such as Indigenous students and those from low-income families. We are one of the founding members of ABCN, whose programmes help students from low socio-economic backgrounds to achieve their full potential.
Singapore Business Network on DisAbility
Singtel is one of the founding members and the current co-chair of the SBNoD, a community established in 2015 that convenes regularly to discuss and exchange expertise and resources to support persons with disabilities and disability employment. We are also involved in SG Enable, the national disability agency’s RISE Mentorship Programme for tertiary students with disabilities, fielding executive mentors for this programme.
