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A cafe at the void deck of Block 52 Marine Parade is just slightly different from your average establishment.
Minister of Health Ong Ye Kung fondly recounted his experience when he visited it on Feb. 24.
Named "独一52" or Du Yi Wu Er (pinyin) after its location and a wordplay on the Chinese phrase for “unique”, the cafe is an initiative by Montfort Care Singapore.
He noted that besides brewing coffee, seniors can also partake in other activities like cooking and preparing ingredients.
Ong commended the initiative, noting that this should be "the future of ageing”.
Unconventional care model
The void deck café is part of the GoodLife! eldercare service and the GoodLife! Makan community kitchen launched in 2016 that aims to provide interaction opportunities for seniors who live alone.
The space capitalises on the configuration of a void deck to create an open compound.
The space enables seniors living in the area to congregate and have conversations, as well as prepare, cook and share their meals with one another.
Top images via DP Architects, Ong Ye Kung's Facebook page