Nationwide Sincerity: Shincheonji’s "Baekse Manse" Programme Fills the Gaps in Senior Care
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| The Shincheonji Volunteer Group Dongdaemun Branch held a Parents' Day filial piety celebration at the Byeoksan Senior Center in Dongdaemun district, Seoul, on 8th May |
Addressing Emotional Isolation in an Ageing Society
As South Korea transitions into a super-ageing society, emotional isolation and relationship breakdown among the elderly have emerged as critical social challenges. While public administrative systems provide financial and physical infrastructure support, minor gaps in emotional care often remain unaddressed. To bridge this divide, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group has been operating "Baekse Manse" (meaning "Long Live One Hundred Years")—a nationwide, participation-oriented silver programme designed to promote cognitive health, physical well-being, and genuine emotional stability for seniors.
Dongdaemun (Seoul): An 11-Year Journey of Consistent Companionship
The true value of volunteer work lies in consistency rather than one-time events. The Dongdaemun Branch stands as a primary exemplar of this dedication, marking 11 years of continuous service with 134 visits, supporting a total of 4019 seniors at the Byeoksan and Dongbu Senior Centers.
- Transition to Integrated Care: Initially centred on providing basic necessities like rice and food, the branch has expanded its scope into an integrated care programme. This includes blood pressure and blood sugar measurements, health counselling, rehabilitation exercises, and recreation.
- Official Recognition: In recognition of this sustained commitment, the Dongdaemun Branch received an official commendation from the Head of the Dongdaemun District Office on Volunteer Day in 2024. A representative from the district’s Senior Welfare Division noted that the regular welfare checks by private organisations significantly contribute to stabilising seniors' psychological well-being and alleviating depression.
Daejeon: Tailored Cognitive Play and "Letters to Myself"
On 12th May, the Daejeon Branch conducted its "Baekse Manse" programme at the Geombae Senior Centre in Samseong-dong, focusing heavily on dementia prevention and deep emotional interaction.
- Months of Preparation: Demonstrating meticulous planning, volunteers hand-crafted 300 carnation corsages over a four-month period from January to April, distributing them sequentially to local senior centres.
- Emotional Reconnect: The programme featured hand massages, dementia prevention quizzes, and a unique session titled "A Letter to Myself." Volunteers assisted seniors in transcribing their life stories and reflections, which were later delivered in customised picture frames. A 96-year-old Korean War veteran in attendance remarked on the profound comfort derived from the careful attention received.
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| The Shincheonji Volunteer Group Yangsan Branch is taking a commemorative photo with volunteers while carrying out the 'Baekse Manse' volunteer activity at the Geumchon Saemaul Hall on 12th May. |
Yangsan & Incheon: Restoring Vitality and Local Connections
Other regional branches also executed tailored activities under the "Baekse Manse" banner, matching the specific needs of their local senior populations.
- Yangsan: Operating under the slogan "A Wonderful Life, Even if Just for Today," the Yangsan Branch hosted a session at the Geumchon Saemaul Hall on 12th May. For seniors unable to view the spring blossoms due to poor health, volunteers provided a healing tea time featuring cherry blossom tea alongside a tactile cognitive activity focused on decorating model trees with pom-poms to stimulate fine motor skills.
- Incheon & Gyeyang: On 8th and 12th May, the Incheon and Gyeyang branches mobilised customised welfare events across local senior centres. Activities spanned professional hair-grooming services, physical health gymnastics, laughter therapy, health quizzes, and fundamental medical check-ups, effectively encouraging seniors to step out of isolation and engage in lively community interaction.
A Standard for Sustainable Civil Volunteering
The nationwide execution of the "Baekse Manse" programme demonstrates that private volunteer networks can effectively complement public welfare structures. By actively expanding from material distribution to specialised cognitive health tracking and emotional preservation, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group continues to foster a sustainable, family-like community structure for our seniors.
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