Funding supports life skills and social inclusion programmes in Thailand and the UK
Bangkok/Singapore – The Ascott Limited (Ascott), the wholly owned lodging business unit of CapitaLand Investment (CLI), is advancing its disability inclusion efforts with a contribution of S$400,000 to global non-profit organisation Save the Children. This initiative is funded by CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF), the philanthropic arm of CapitaLand Group, under its CapitaLand AccessABLE Programme. The donation will support two programmes in Thailand and the United Kingdom, benefitting 160 children and youths with disabilities by equipping them with essential skills, confidence and opportunities to participate in social, educational and economic activities.
In Thailand, the Ascott–Save the Children partnership is supporting the development of a tailored skills curriculum for 60 visually impaired youths, equipping them with tools for long-term success in the workforce. The programme focuses on workplace readiness, covering key skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. By the end of the programme, around half of the participants are expected to secure employment with Dots Coffee – a leading social enterprise run entirely by individuals with visual impairments – while the rest will continue to receive job placement support.
In the United Kingdom, the collaboration supports the Sheffield Community Bus Project, a mobile inclusion hub serving approximately 100 children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families who are living below the poverty line. The bus delivers targeted workshops and essential services, helping children with SEND access educational and social opportunities in their communities. The initiative aims to reduce barriers to inclusion and bring support directly to underserved families in their own neighborhoods.
Ms Beh Siew Kim, Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer, Lodging, CLI, and Managing Director, Japan and Korea, Ascott, who is also a Board Director of CHF, said: “Disability inclusion is central to our Ascott CARES sustainability framework, and our partnership with Save the Children builds on this commitment. It enables us to extend our culture of care and respect beyond our properties into the wider community, empowering children and youths with disabilities to build confidence and live with dignity. This initiative also complements our broader collaboration with SG Enable – Singapore’s focal agency for disability and inclusion – to enhance disability inclusion across physical spaces, programmes, hiring, digital platforms and training. These efforts will culminate in the launch of a dedicated disability inclusion course for hospitality professionals at the Ascott Centre for Excellence in Singapore, alongside a global playbook in the second half of 2025. The playbook will provide a unified framework for disability inclusion across Ascott’s properties worldwide, combining inclusive design principles with a supportive workplace culture to create truly welcoming environments for both guests and associates.”
Mr Guillaume Rachou, Executive Director, Save the Children Thailand, said: “We are honoured to work with Ascott and CHF to help break down the barriers that may hinder visually impaired youth from finding meaningful work. Through this partnership, we are developing and piloting a life skills training programme tailored for youth with visual impairments – helping them build confidence and key abilities such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving to thrive in the workplace and in life. This initiative is not just about preparing youth for jobs; it is about changing perceptions and creating a more inclusive society.”
Ms Rachel Parkin, Head of England, Save the Children UK, said: “Thanks to the generous funding from Ascott and CHF, Save the Children UK and the Sheffield Early Learning Community are working alongside the community to co-design an accessible, inclusive and family-centred ‘Community Bus’ in Shirecliffe. This initiative will help address the challenges faced by children with special educational needs and disabilities and ensure families can access the support they need, in their community. Through this partnership, we are creating lasting change for children and families who experience multiple challenges.”
Mr Tan Seng Chai, Executive Director of CHF and Senior Advisor, CLI, said: “CHF is committed to build resilience in communities where CapitaLand operates, through supporting initiatives that promote education, health and well-being for children, youth and seniors. Through the CapitaLand AccessABLE Programme, we aim to enrich the lives of persons with disabilities by enhancing their independent living skills, fostering social engagement and helping them realise their full potential. The collaboration between Ascott and Save the Children also creates meaningful opportunities for Ascott staff to contribute directly, from identifying accessibility barriers to co-developing practical solutions. These hands-on experiences deepen CapitaLand’s strong culture of volunteerism and reflect how our people are actively shaping real, lasting change on the ground.”
The partnership was officially announced at a special concert held at Somerset Rama 9 Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday, 17 May 2025, in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) observed globally on 15 May 2025. Featuring orchestral and mime performances by artists with disabilities, the event drew about 100 attendees and highlighted disability inclusion efforts within Thailand’s arts and hospitality sectors. Proceeds from ticket sales were used to donate wheelchairs to the Foundation for Children with Disabilities (Thailand) and white canes to the Thai Blind People’s Foundation. As part of the event, Dots Coffee also set up a kiosk to promote its business and highlight its inclusive employment model, which empowers individuals with visual impairments through meaningful work in the F&B sector.
In conjunction with GAAD, Ms Beh Siew Kim also participated in a fireside chat titled “Building Inclusive Spaces: The Singapore Experience”, hosted by SG Enable at the Singapore Pavilion during World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. She shared Ascott’s approach to advancing accessibility across its global operations through inclusive design, programming and staff engagement.
Advancing Disability Inclusion and Community Engagement
The partnership with Save the Children complements Ascott’s ongoing commitment to disability inclusion under its Ascott CARES sustainability framework. As highlighted in its latest Sustainability Report 2024, Ascott continues to champion inclusion through programmes that empower persons with disabilities and promote meaningful societal participation. In Singapore, more than 130 Ascott associates volunteered with Rainbow Centre to deliver interactive activities that strengthen the social and emotional skills of children with special needs. In China, over 400 individuals, including youths with autism and their family members, have benefitted from Ascott-led career immersion and arts programmes developed in partnership with CHF, which will expand in 2025 to include music and vocational training.
As the Official Global Hotels Partner of Chelsea Football Club, Ascott hosted the Southeast Asia debut of The Famous CFC global fan tour in Singapore in late 2024. The event featured coaching clinics led by Chelsea coaches and club legend Gianfranco Zola, with participants from SportCares, the philanthropic arm of Sport Singapore, and Singapore Disability Sports Council. A charity auction featuring shirts autographed by Chelsea players also raised funds for the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund, which supports persons with disabilities.
For more information on these initiatives, please refer to The Ascott Limited Sustainability Report 2024, which outlines Ascott’s actions and progress towards its Ascott CARES vision of building a greener, more inclusive future.
Legal Disclaimer: The Editor provides this news content "as is," without any warranty of any kind. We disclaim all responsibility and liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. For any complaints or copyright concerns regarding this article, please contact the author mentioned above.
