OUR HISTORY

Serving Persons with Intellectual Disability Since 1962

MINDS (formerly known as Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore) is a trusted partner to persons with intellectual disability (ID) and their families. From its humble beginnings in 1962, MINDS has evolved into one of Singapore’s most established social service agencies, at the forefront of supporting persons with ID through inclusive education, lifelong learning, employment development and caregiver support.

Every service reflects a simple promise: to walk alongside families and empower persons with ID to lead active, meaningful lives within the community for as long as possible.

1970s–1990s
Expanded services to include vocational training, employment programmes, and caregiver support
1962

Founded to provide education and support for children with ID

Today

Serving nearly 10,000 clients and caregivers through more than 20 touchpoints across Singapore

2000s Onward
Developed a network of hubs to bring inclusive services closer to communities
OUR PURPOSE

To enhance Persons with Intellectual Disability and their Caregivers' Quality of Life

This purpose shapes every programme, service, and advocacy effort at MINDS, ensuring that support is always person-centred and responsive to the needs of each family.

Vision

To be the lead social service agency in the Intellectual Disability space.

Mission

To advance the development, well-being, and aspirations of Persons with Intellectual Disability and advocate for their integration into society.

Our Core Values

Professionalism

We strive for excellence in delivering quality outcomes in everything we do.

Integrity

We conduct ourselves with high standards of honesty and ethical behaviour to uphold strong corporate governance and accountability for the public trust.

Respect

We regard every individual with dignity and respect regardless of age, gender, race, religion, abilities, and disabilities.

OUR STRATEGY

A Future Built on Inclusion

MINDS has transitioned from a programme-centric to a person-centred service model, in response to the evolving needs of persons with intellectual disability (ID) and their families. This shift moves beyond standardised support services to tailored pathways for our clients based on their preferences, interests, needs and strengths.

To make support more accessible, we have also transformed our adult centres into a network of regional, community, and satellite hubs, bringing services closer to families in the heartlands, while deepening our engagement with the local communities. At the same time, we have expanded our investment in caregiver support, employment development, and lifelong learning to address the needs of both persons with ID and their families.

Guided by the shared aspirations of our clients, caregivers, and partners, this strategic roadmap reflects MINDS’ commitment to inclusive, person-centred progress. By listening to the voices of those we serve and applying evidence-based practices, we seek to build a future where every person with ID lives with purpose, dignity, and inclusion.

Our Touchpoints

With over 20 MINDS hubs across Singapore, persons with ID and their caregivers can access the support they need from a single location close to home.