Sustainability with Purpose

Sustainability at MINDS is more than a responsibility; it is a promise to create lasting, positive change for the community, the environment, and persons with intellectual disability (ID). From reducing our environmental footprint to strengthening our social and governance practices, every initiative reflects our commitment to sustainable growth and meaningful community impact.

sustainability

Environmental

At MINDS, we are dedicated to environmental stewardship within the social service sector. We minimise our ecological footprint by reducing paper, electricity, and water consumption, investing in green technologies, and supporting sustainable urban farming initiatives. Through these efforts, we create sustainable growth that benefits our stakeholders and the ID community and contributes to a healthy planet.

Conserving resources is essential to preserving natural resources and ecosystems. Reducing energy consumption lowers greenhouse gas emissions and improves air quality, while water conservation protects habitats and waterways. In 2024, MINDS launched an Energy and Water Conservation initiative, marking a milestone towards a more sustainable future even as we continue to expand and support the community we serve.

MINDS is exploring the use of solar energy across our buildings to improve energy efficiency. Benchmarking our energy consumption against the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Standards, we are assessing retrofitting options. In partnership with the National Parks Board and our community partners, we also joined Singapore’s OneMillionTrees movement, planting trees to reduce our environmental footprint and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.

We actively minimise waste by encouraging the principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling. As part of the Go Green SG initiative, MINDS partnered with Semula Asia to transform plastic waste into coasters—promoting recycling and sustainability. We also launched campaigns to reduce the use of plastic and paper, reinforcing the MINDS Green Movement and empowering our staff to become future Green Ambassadors.

sustainability

Social

Our sustainability commitment extends beyond the environment, where we strive to create positive impact on our employees, clients, and the wider community.

We foster inclusive workplaces, uphold fair labour practices, and actively contribute to community initiatives. Through person-centred services, we seek to enhance the development, well-being, and aspirations of persons with ID.

People are our greatest asset. Through a structured people strategy, we create a positive workplace where employees feel valued and engaged. Open communication and feedback also continually improve our practices.

In 2024, we launched a Training Grant/Scholarship Programme for staff pursuing higher academic qualifications in their personal and professional development. We also received the Progressive Wage Mark Accreditation in empowering our lower-wage staff. By prioritising well-being, workplace fairness, diversity, and growth, we strive to make MINDS an inclusive and Great Place To Work (GPTW).

We are committed to enhancing the quality of life of persons with ID and fostering an inclusive society. Through a wide range of services and activities, we support caregivers, volunteers, partners, and the wider community. By strengthening community-based services, employability, and inclusive communities, MINDS seeks to provide holistic support for persons with ID across their lifespan.

We launched our pilot programme MINDS Oaktree in 2024 to support ageing persons with ID in staying healthy and active for better quality of life.

We are committed to ensuring safe, healthy, and secure working conditions for our employees, clients, volunteers, and partners. Through robust protocols and training, we cultivate strong values and habits in safety management. Clear policies and procedures support the early detection, prevention, and mitigation of risks, ensuring safety and security across all operations.

In 2023, MINDS attained the bizSAFE Level 3 certification after assessments by the Workplace Safety and Health Council. We maintained a record of zero work-related incidents, as part of our safety assurance within our hubs and services. Ongoing risk assessments continue to enable us to preserve a safe workplace for all.

 

sustainability

Governance

At MINDS, we firmly believe that good governance is essential to ensuring accountability, operational effectiveness, and long-term success. Our Board adheres to the guidance provided by the Commissioner of Charities on legislation governing large Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs).

MINDS complies with the Code of Governance for Charities and Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs) issued by the Charity Council, and we are committed to maintaining high standards of accountability and transparency. Our Governance Evaluation Checklist is publicly available for viewing on the Charity Portal.

Whistleblowing Policy

We offer a clear and secure channel for whistleblowers, irrespective of staff, volunteers, suppliers, or members of the public, to report serious concerns of wrongdoing in good faith without fear of retaliation or unfair treatment.

Examples of reportable issues include:

  • Financial malpractices or impropriety such as fraud, corruption, bribery, kickback,
    theft, and concealment
  • Failure to comply with regulations, laws, and ethical guidelines
  • Threats to health and safety in the work environment
  • Any form of criminal activity
  • Abuses of corporate resources

Individuals may report such concerns through the following channels:

ChannelContact DetailsContact Details
EmailWhistle_blowing@minds.org.sgHead of Internal Audit (IA) & Audit Committee (AC) Chairman
Phone6479 5655 ext. 10102Head IA
Phone (if complaint is against IA Department)6479 5655 ext. 10100AC Chairman c/o CEO
PostalMINDS 800 Margaret Drive Singapore 149310 (Attn: Head of IA)Head of IA
Postal (if complaint is against IA Department)MINDS 800 Margaret Drive Singapore 149310 (Attn: CEO)AC Chairman c/o CEO

To ensure effective assessment and investigation, whistleblowers are encouraged to provide as much details as possible. A template is provided to facilitate the preparation of whistleblowing reports.

While anonymous reports will be considered at the Audit Committee’s discretion, providing contact details allows for clarification and follow-up. All reports are treated with strict confidentiality, acknowledged within 3 working days and investigated immediately. Depending on the nature of the concern, MINDS may refer the matter to relevant external regulatory authorities.

No action will be taken against anyone who reports a concern in good faith. The identity of the whistleblower will be kept confidential unless disclosure is legally required or essential to support the credibility of an investigation.

Supplier Code of Conduct

MINDS seeks to work with suppliers who uphold our core values of integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct. Our Supplier Code of Conduct ensures all partnerships are aligned with our commitment to build a fair and law-abiding organisation dedicated to supporting the development and well-being of persons with ID and their caregivers. You can learn more about our Supplier Code of Conduct.

If you suspect a supplier has breached MINDS’ Supplier Code of Conduct, you may report it through the following channels:

MINDSG LTD (MINDS Headquarters)
Phone: 6479 5655
Email: Procurement@minds.org.sg
Address: 800 Margaret Drive, Singapore 149310

A template is provided to assist with the preparation of supplier-related whistleblowing reports. Providing accurate contact information is encouraged to enable follow-up if additional details are needed.

In today’s digital age, safeguarding client data and maintaining the integrity of our information systems is not only a regulatory requirement but also a cornerstone of trust in the social service sector. We believe that a proactive approach to enforcing information security and data protection is essential to fulfilling our mission of delivering person-centred services that meet the needs and aspirations of persons with ID and their families.

As part of our sustainability management approach, MINDS employs a comprehensive framework of physical, technical, and administrative safeguards. This includes adoption of secure cloud-based technologies, regular security audits, and continuous monitoring of our IT infrastructure to detect and respond quickly to potential threats.

We also actively cultivate a culture of security awareness among all employees. Our staff undergo regular training, and we have implemented robust incident response protocols to handle sensitive information responsibly and manage cyber risks such as phishing or data breaches.

To ensure strong governance and resilience, MINDS implements an Integrated Assurance Framework (IAF) comprising Policy Management, Management and Assurance, Independent Assurance and Board Oversight to help the Board and management review risks and ensure the effectiveness of our internal controls and risk management measures.

Aligned with COSO Enterprise Risk Management Framework and ISO 31000 standards, the IAF defines governance structures, roles and responsibilities, and processes that support our risk management systems and procedures.

This systematic approach drives regular reviews of risks across all levels of the organisation, ensuring that MINDS’ information and data security management remains effective, transparent, and aligned with our mission to support persons with ID and their caregivers.