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Singapore

‘Calm zones’ to be available at some mall stores to provide respite from hustle and bustle for shoppers

In-store lighting will be dimmed and music volume restricted, to cater to the needs of the neurodivergent and elderly.

SINGAPORE: Quiet hours on Mondays and Tuesdays could soon be the norm at some stores in malls here.

The stores will set aside calm zones during designated hours so that those who are troubled by the hustle and bustle, would have a more comfortable shopping experience.

In-store lighting will be dimmed and music volume restricted, to cater to the needs of the neurodivergent and elderly.

This is part of a new programme by Frasers Property Singapore to create more inclusive spaces and experiences for members of the community who have different needs.

Those who join the programme called Inclusion Champions will undergo six hours of inclusivity training every year.

The specially tailored training programme will cover consumer inclusiveness led by SG Enable, and first responder training to support persons with dementia and shoppers on the autism spectrum, the retail operator said in a press release on Friday (May 26).

TRAINING TO BE PROVIDED

The training, to be provided to frontline workers at Frasers Property Singapore’s malls and employees of its retail tenants, will be conducted by Dementia Singapore and St Andrew’s Autism Centre respectively.

Mall tenants who have pledged their support as inaugural “inclusion champions” include Better Vision, Cathay Cineplexes, EC House, Eu Yan Sang, Golden Village, Metro, OSIM, Scoop Wholefoods, Shaw Theatres and Toys"R"Us.

"It's just the launch and we are sure that when we announce the program a lot more to our tenants, I'm very sure that more like-minded tenants will join us,” said Frasers Property Singapore CEO Soon Su Lin.

A Paint It Forward kit. (Photo: CNA/Claudia Lim)

Assistant general manager at OSIM Singapore Adelle Tan said that about 20 employees are expected to undergo training.

“We hope that staff who have attended the lessons will share with their colleagues what they have learned so that more are aware of what is needed to better serve customers of different needs,” she said.

Some stores, like OSIM, will double up as dementia go-to points.

“While waiting for the caregivers to pick them up, they can sit back and enjoy a relaxing massage,” Ms Tan said, adding that they can also use their fitness products to exercise.

PAINT IT FORWARD

The mall operator will also offer free art jamming sessions to the public as part of its Paint It Forward initiative. Each participant will receive a Paint It Forward kit containing a canvas outline inspired by art created by persons with disabilities.

For each participant, the Fraser Property Singapore will contribute S$10 to the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund.

Mr Richard Eu, chairman of the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund fund-raising committee, said that the intent of the fund is inclusivity and enabling aspirations.

“We want to help people with disabilities to achieve some of the dreams,” he said, adding that initiatives like this increase awareness.

Those looking to get creative can join the sessions from now till Jun 25 at 10 malls managed by Frasers Property, including Hougang Mall, Causeway Point and Changi City Point.

Source: CNA/ja(fk)

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