Project Caring Hearts

Celebrate life!… but let’s talk about death too

Project Caring Hearts (PCH) is a student-led volunteer initiative driven by passionate nursing undergraduates from the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (NUS Nursing), National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. Our mission is to raise awareness, provide support, and make a meaningful impact in the lives of palliative patients through befriending programs, legacy projects, and community outreach.

Our Vision

PCH is dedicated to serving palliative patients with compassion and respect. We believe that every patient has a story to tell, and we are committed to helping them share their stories. Whether through direct interactions such as befriending and conducting legacy projects, or indirectly by fostering more open conversations around death and dying in Singapore, PCH strives to ensure that our patients can lead fulfilling lives.

Our Collaborations

PCH proudly partners with HCA Hospice, Singapore’s largest home hospice provider. This collaboration allows us to extend our outreach and equip both volunteers and patients with the support they need to navigate the palliative journey with confidence and grace.

Why We Exist

In Singapore, palliative care and the topic of death are often misunderstood and rarely discussed. Healthcare extends beyond treatment—it also involves providing support during the final stages of life. Project Caring Hearts (PCH) was established to:

  • Normalize conversations about death and dying.
  • Strengthen connections between patients, their families, and healthcare professionals.
  • Improve the quality of life for palliative patients through compassionate companionship.

Our Initiatives

We run a range of meaningful programs aimed at supporting palliative patients and fostering open conversations about death:

  • Befriending Services: Providing emotional support and companionship through regular home visits.
  • Legacy Projects: Helping patients create cherished memories through storytelling, art, and keepsakes for their loved ones.
  • Death Café: A safe space where NUS students engage in open discussions about death, challenging societal taboos and encouraging deeper reflection on life and mortality.
  • Educational Visits: In collaboration with The Life Celebrant, volunteers attend Showers of Love sessions to gain valuable insights into the funeral preparation process.
  • Day Care Hospice Visits: To expand outreach to palliative patients and enhance volunteer engagement. It involves flexible monthly visits to a day hospice, with teams organizing short activities.
Project Caring Hearts & HCA “Walk with me” a charity walkathon organised by the Hospice Care Association. Volunteers from Project Caring Heart gather before the start of the event, ready to make a positive impact in the community.
A heartwarming moment as volunteers and elderly beneficiaries embark on a journey at the Indian Cultural Centre, fostering connections and bringing smiles.

Get Involved:

Whether you’re a student, healthcare professional, or community member, PCH welcomes you to join us in making a difference. Through volunteering, advocacy, and partnerships, you can help us create a more compassionate and informed society.

Follow us on Instagram for updates: @projectcaringhearts

Hear From Our Community: 

Read inspiring stories from our volunteers and beneficiaries, and see how PCH is touching lives and transforming perspectives on palliative care.

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For more information, reach out to us at projectcaringhearts@gmail.com

List of Local Projects

HCA Hospice began as a volunteer-driven organisation and throughout the decades, volunteers have remained the backbone of HCA. As a charity that offers palliative care at no charge, we rely heavily on the support from our community, including dedicated volunteers like the students from Project Caring Hearts.

Reflecting on the incredible impact Project Caring Hearts made in the lives of our patients, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the students’ unwavering dedication and compassion. Their companionship has not just provided warmth, comfort and dignity to our patients during their final chapter, but also empowered them to embrace joy and find meaning in each day. With every conversation, they have created a safe space for our patients to share their stories, ensuring that they are heard, seen and celebrated. 

To every volunteer of Project Caring Hearts, thank you for journeying alongside our patients, and celebrating life. Together, let’s continue to make a meaningful difference by creating good days for those we care for!

– Geraldine Liu, Assistant Manager, Volunteer Management and Engagement of HCA Hospice

I joined PCH because I believe volunteering for palliative/end-of-life patients is meaningful and allows me to make a positive impact in their final days. 

PCH works to raise awareness of palliative care in Singapore, offering us the chance to befriend and support patients by simply spending time with them and listening. We also assist with legacy projects, fulfilling patients’ wishes where possible.

– Nur Kamilia

List of Local Projects