When Cherry Thian first founded Little Changemakers in 2021, it was to create sensory toys for neurodiverse children. Across the years, she has expanded the offerings of the Singapore-based social enterprise to include intergenerational workshops and wellness programs that benefit a wider range of communities.
Nevertheless, the essence of Little Changemakers remains unchanged: to plant the seeds of change for a more inclusive and compassionate society.
In this interview with Cherry, wildchild learns more about Little Changemakers’ mission and how the activities are co-created with—not simply for—the beneficiaries.
On the shift from developing products to organizing experiential workshops
This shift was largely inspired by the meaningful connections we built with our users during hands-on sessions with our toys. Interacting with them allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and gain insights that go far beyond what product feedback alone can provide.
On why she decided to expand the target audience of her initiatives
A few years ago, I began volunteering at nursing homes, and that experience made me reflect deeply: How would I, or my parents, want to grow old? With my background in design, I have always been attuned to gaps in systems and the possibilities for improvement. I saw how many seniors longed for meaningful engagement. That’s when I realized that designing workshops for seniors isn’t just about ensuring accessibility—it’s also about creating joy, dignity, and purpose.
On how the name “Little Changemakers” remains relevant
Our name embodies our belief that every step—no matter how small—can spark change. It guides our efforts to create opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to contribute, connect, and care through hands-on experiences. You could say that it serves as a constant reminder for us to empower individuals to become changemakers in their own right; to recognize the ripple effect that small acts of kindness and creativity can create.
On partnering with companies for their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities
We provide end-to-end support for our partners by connecting employees with underserved communities, including seniors, children, persons with disabilities, and adults from vulnerable backgrounds. This includes managing logistics, liaising with beneficiary organizations, conducting volunteer briefings and training, and carefully designing hands-on activities that are enriching for volunteers and beneficiaries. We view CSR as more than a one-time act of goodwill; it is a catalyst for long-term social impact and personal transformation.
A peek at the thought process that goes behind the workshops
Our popular Qi Qi Boom 好气色 wellness series blends hands-on herbal crafting with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) education. During the workshops, seniors create purposeful items that they can use in their everyday lives to support their well-being, from herbal pillows to hammer massagers.
The program is thoughtfully designed to support four key domains of wellness:
Physical
Enhances seniors’ fine motor skills through tactile crafting activities.
Emotional
Sparks reminiscence and encourages the sharing of personal stories about herbs, health, and heritage.
Social
Fosters meaningful connections among peers and across generations, bridging wisdom with creativity.
Mental
Introduces accessible TCM concepts and simple self-care techniques that participants can readily apply to improve sleep and blood circulation.
It has also resonated with working adults who are seeking natural, practical ways to care for their health.
On a particularly memorable Qi Qi Boom workshop
We once conducted a large-scale CSR event at the Singapore Flyer, where 250 seniors and corporate volunteers came together to craft herbal neck pillows and sachets. They enjoyed herbal teas and learned basic acupressure techniques from a TCM practitioner. The atmosphere was truly uplifting as the seniors were asking questions, sharing stories, and laughing together with the volunteers throughout the session. It was a heartwarming sight that reflected the true spirit of intergenerational connection.
After the event, many seniors expressed how much they loved the items they crafted and shared that they had taught their friends the massage techniques they had learned. Several volunteers chose to stay in touch with the beneficiaries they met that day; others mentioned that they had developed a newfound interest in TCM and intended to introduce their family members to similar wellness practices.
On designing inclusive workshops and navigating the challenges that surface
We design workshops for diverse communities, including seniors, children, people with disabilities, and corporate volunteers. Each group brings its own needs, abilities, preferences, and lived experiences, which means a one-size-fits-all approach won’t do. Our work calls for thoughtful consideration, adaptability, and deep empathy.
One of our guiding principles is to always listen, learn, and improve. In a recent initiative, we conducted a training program to equip persons with disabilities to become co-facilitators for senior workshops at Active Aging Centres. Since every participant had different strengths and support needs, we had to adapt our materials, pacing, and facilitation approach accordingly.
“We must move beyond viewing beneficiaries as passive recipients of charity and instead recognize them as co-creators in the design of more inclusive systems. These shared moments often lead to what we call the “aha moment”, which is the profound, human realization that this could be me, or someone I love.”
—on why she champions inclusivity
It goes without saying that we take feedback seriously. Before and after each session, we hold debriefing discussions with our team and partners. We also observe and involve participants in shaping the experience, which we see as essential to meaningful inclusion. Our workshops are always a work in progress, and every iteration brings us closer to a more inclusive and empowering experience for everyone involved.
Our goal is not only to run a good workshop but also to create environments where every individual feels seen, valued, and capable of contributing. That requires humility, flexibility, and a commitment to continuous growth. The next version is always better because we continue to learn and improve together.
On measuring the success of the workshops
We assess the impact of our workshops and CSR programs through facilitator observations, partner feedback, and visual documentation. These methods help us evaluate participant engagement, learning outcomes, and areas for improvement. Of course, some of the most meaningful indicators are intangible. Often, it is a smile, a shared story, or someone’s newfound confidence that tells us we are on the right path. These moments of authentic connection and joy remind us that real impact goes beyond metrics and is reflected in the lives we touch.
Many volunteers also leave our sessions with a simple but powerful question: How do I want to grow old, raise my children, or contribute to my community? These experiences encourage reflection about the kind of future they wish to help shape and what small actions they can take now to make it a reality.
One young manager once told me, “After hearing about Aunty Li’s life in the nursing home while crafting together, I finally asked my father about his retirement dreams and reflected on my own.” That is the kind of change we hope to inspire: where service sparks empathy, and empathy leads to action and connection.
On Little Changemakers’ role in the local social enterprise ecosystem
We see Little Changemakers as a connector. Our role is to bring together different sectors and generations to co-create a more inclusive and compassionate society. As a social enterprise, we also hope to inspire others to adopt more participatory, user-centered approaches that truly reflect their communities’ needs and aspirations.
Recognizing the passion and potential of the young siblings behind Smol Boss, we guided them on their journey toward community building and social entrepreneurship.
Together, we championed creative play as a non-medical coping strategy for KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH)’s Pain Management Awareness Campaign. This resulted in the thoughtfully designed “Pets in a Bauble” sensory kit—a playful yet therapeutic activity that invites children to craft tiny habitats using colorful clay, miniature animal figurines, and a clear bauble. What makes this initiative meaningful is that the siblings conceptualized the kit with hospitalized children in mind.
Smol Boss also planned engaging and meaningful activities tailored for seniors. We have since seen more children participating and helping at Active Aging Centers, not just because of duty, but because the activities are genuinely fun and rewarding. They keep coming back, eager to contribute and make a difference.
This affirms our belief that children in the right environment can be powerful contributors to their community with sufficient support. They are not just future changemakers; they are shaping the world right now. That is why we remain committed to nurturing the next generation to take an active role in building an inclusive, caring society.
On the projects in the pipeline
We aim to address the growing needs of seniors experiencing social frailty—those who remain homebound due to physical, emotional, or social barriers. This group often lacks meaningful, consistent engagement, and we’re working to bridge that gap. As such, Little Changemakers is developing a new outreach program to support socially frail seniors, whether through one-to-one befriending or structured activities right at their doorsteps. To refine this approach and understand its impact, we’re partnering with NUS to conduct independent research on the outcomes.
At the same time, we’re reimagining nursing homes as vibrant, purpose-driven spaces where seniors can actively contribute their skills through urban farming, caring for animals, or participating in a farm-to-table ecosystem. By offering regular workshops open to the public, we aim to spark meaningful intergenerational connections and support seniors in leading engaged, purposeful lives.
Little Changemakers is currently seeking grant support and like-minded partners who are passionate about supporting aging-in-place. If this resonates with your organization, drop them a line to explore potential collaborations!
Images by Little Changemakers; cover collage by Sherryl Cheong
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