If you had participated in one of the major running events in Singapore this year, it is quite likely that the race pack that you received had gone through our doors.

You see, in the year, trainees from our Sheltered Workshop programme have packed and delivered more than 141,000 race packs for 13 runs and walks. The race pack for the upcoming Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2019, one of the biggest running events in Singapore, is also packed in our workshop.

Our Sheltered Workshop takes on these work to offer supported employment and vocational training to individuals with disabilities. Work and training come in the form of sub-contract fulfilments, such as the packing of race packs, packaging, letter-shopping and tagging of products, which also translate to a source of allowance for the trainees.

How It’s Done

At the workshop, assembly lines are set up to put a pack together. Averagely, ten items would go into a race back, but sometimes there could be up to 20 items. A trainee will be assigned to put one item into every pack. As some of them have limited limbs functions, the trainees are assigned to tasks according to their ability and dexterity levels.

Another team of trainees transfers goods from the storage area to ensure stock levels at the assembly lines.

A third team is in charge of quality checks where they ensure all items are correctly packed before the last team packs the completed race packs into boxes.

On average, a packing project can take anytime between one to three weeks to complete, and sometimes with help from volunteers.

Common Items Found in Race Packs

• Samples of toiletries
• Snacks
• Beverages
• Coupons and brochures

Challenges that Trainees Face

Packing may seem an easy job but it can be challenging for some of the trainees due to their disabilities. For example, due to cognitive impairments or memory loss, some have to be reminded each day on what to pack and who to pass the pack to. Others may have loss the sense of touch and unknowingly put in more pieces of flyers or coupons than is required. The trainees in the quality sections will pick up these discrepancies and rectify them.

How You Can Be A Part

When we run a race, the finishing line is within sight and we know that we will be able to complete it with perseverance.  For a person with disabilities, however, the challenges are usually for life.

As you collect your race packs at the Marina Bay Sands from 27 to 30 November, know that your participation in the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2019 has created valuable training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

If you and your friends would like to do more for the trainees, we urge you to visit https://www.giving.sg/spd/standard_chartered_singapore_marathon_2019 where there are suggestions on how you can impact more lives.

Here’s wishing everyone a great run!