“As an introvert, I struggled to strike conversations with strangers. I struggled with the dilemma of whether probing too deeply might come across as being intrusive. This was a particular challenge with Mr. SP, one of the first elderly people I met while conducting door-to-door outreach.

However, I showed genuine curiosity about Mr. SP’s experiences, following the key steps of active listening taught in the course (GEN2061 Support Healthy AgeingSG). Eventually, he began to talk about crafting, his beloved hobby, including his pride and fulfilment in donating his crafts (see picture).

As they say, time flies when you are having a good conversation. Our engagement session with Mr. SP extended beyond two hours. We stayed on to get an introduction to the art of crafting from the master himself, and the master felt appreciated.

This experience taught me the value of active listening in building connections. It signals appreciation, creating an environment conducive to further sharing. By showing genuine curiosity and asking follow-up questions, we were able to peel back the layers and understand what truly mattered to Mr. SP. Active listening forges authentic connections across generations.”