U Live ambassadors inspire peers towards more active lifestyles at U Live Symposium

Leading by example, U Live ambassadors take on crucial roles in planning and organising the U Live Symposium. U Live Symposium 2016 empowers seniors with health and technology knowledge for productive re-employment or purposeful retirement.

Singapore, 18 September 2016 – ‘Old and retired’ is not how Mr Jek Kwok Kwong sees himself. The 68-year-old can confidently name the various plants commonly found around neighbourhoods and is an avid volunteer with the U Live gardening group. He also shared his knowledge on different herbs and plants with other active agers at the U Live Symposium 2016 this morning.

Held at Downtown East, the U Live Symposium is an iconic event for active agers to keep healthy and up-to-date with the latest trends for re-employment or purposeful retirement. Comprising two full-days of programmes this year, the symposium was specifically tailored to the current needs of active agers - Wellness through Food and Technology & Finance Made Simple. Mr Heng Chee How, Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) of the National Trades Union Congress graced the event and mingled with the participants today. 

Developing capabilities of active agers 

In a show of leading by example, this year’s symposium was entirely planned, coordinated and managed by a 15-member U Live ambassador taskforce, with members taking on different responsibilities. Some sourced for relevant speakers and partnerships, while others managed the venue and volunteers throughout the day. Getting ambassadors and members involved in the organising of the symposium is one of the ways U Live grooms, grows and encourages them to have a purposeful life.

“The U Live Symposium is a platform where members are able to further themselves, be it to lead active lifestyles, be involved in programmes or develop and grow their skill sets. We really wanted to engage active agers in a way that would enhance their well-being. So we decided to let the active agers be more involved in the planning and organising of the symposium. We hope that our U Live ambassadors will truly be living role models to other active agers in Singapore,” said DSG Heng.

Echoing Mr Heng’s sentiments was Mr Jek, a U Live Ambassador. “My journey with U Live has better equipped me with skills that let me share what I’m passionate about with other participants. With the network of friends from the U Live community, I can stay current and connected with my peers. I hope that by being part of the U Live ambassador taskforce, other seniors can see what they can still do and be inspired to become more active in their lives. Ultimately, that’s what the U Live community offers to active agers – a community that helps us to continue leading active lives well into our golden years,” he said. 

As a member of the U Live ambassador taskforce, Mr Jek’s main role was to build partnerships. He sourced for suitable suppliers to join the Healthy Bites Fair at the symposium. With a keen interest in herbs and medicinal plants, he was also a speaker for an ambassador-led talk during the symposium, when he shared how some plants can be beneficial to one’s health.

All 15 U Live ambassadors in the taskforce underwent U Live’s Active 55+ programme, a planned curriculum of workshops and activities for active agers. The Active 55+ programme develops members’ capabilities in four core areas of Happy, Healthy, Productive and Purposeful (or the H2P2 lifestyle) and also encourages members to take on leadership roles to benefit others within the community.

For active agers, by the active agers

The U Live Symposium was designed by the taskforce to empower participants to lead healthy and meaningful lives. Over the two consecutive Sundays, participants can engage in an array of free activities as well.

Many enthusiastic seniors showed up today to learn how to cook healthier meals, shop for fresh produce, organic food and artisanal snacks, and health supplements at the Healthy Bites fair. 

The second day of the U Live Symposium will take place on 25 September 2016. Active agers will get the chance to shop for the latest senior-friendly gadgets, immerse in virtual reality and improve their productivity with smartphones and tablet applications. Talks and workshop topics for the day will range from the basics, like learning to use social media through a know-how guide, to safeguarding oneself online and setting up an online business.