THIRD SPACES NEED ME & WE W/ JOO CHIAT SOCIAL CLUB

• Date: 28 Aug 2026, Fri

• Time: 2:30PM – 5PM

• Price: $35 (incl. GST)

• Location: Joo Chiat Social Club, 254 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427508

JOO CHIAT SOCIAL CLUB (JCSC) started with a simple mission: to build a place where old and young — and everyone in between — could learn, play and grow together. From their heritage shophouse, they run an assisted living facility for seniors who want support without giving up their independence, alongside a social club that nurtures an intergenerational community through regular programmes.

Behind it all are two co-founders — partners in life and in work — who've kept this going by taking turns: one going "me first" so the other can go "we first." What started as a practice between two people has grown into something the whole organisation runs on.

In this Circle, JCSC shares how that practice has let them sustain both their care work and their social impact over time — and what it might mean for yours.

In this session, we will:

• Explore JCSC as a model of a third space, hearing how the co-founders have started and sustained their work — as practitioners, with their funders, and with their community.

• Unpack "me first, we first" as a polarity to navigate.

• Reflect on how the principles and practices that emerge may apply to our own work.

• Meet and connect with other practitioners through small and large group conversations.

JOO CHIAT SOCIAL CLUB is an intergenerational community space where the old and young — and everyone in between — can gather, connect, and genuinely enjoy each other's company. Their vision is simple: a vibrant community where people experience meaningful connection and the joy of being together. To get there, they craft gatherings and spaces that foster connections across generations and social groups — and create platforms for people to share their gifts with the community.

Find out more: Website | Instagram | Facebook

About the Co-Founders

BENNETT is an engineer who loves working with his hands. He graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Engineering Product Development) from Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and worked as a Mechanical Engineer in Hope Technik before setting up his own company, MUT Engineering. He now runs Camino House and Joo Chiat Social Club with his wife, Mariel. He believes his calling is to make useful things. On the side, he enjoys kitesurfing.

MARIEL envisions, designs, and co-creates experiences with the community. She founded the social enterprise muein in 2022 to pilot unorthodox solutions to pertinent social problems in Singapore, with a focus on the ageing and special needs communities.

Together with her husband, she initiated and runs an assisted living facility, Camino House, as well as Joo Chiat Social Club, an intergenerational community space that brings together the old and young. Together with her friends, she initiated and leads Forest Fables, an inclusive storymaking adventure for children of varying abilities set in Singapore’s natural spaces.

Come for this session if you:

• Lead, work in, or are thinking about starting a practitioner-led third space.

• Are curious about different third space models in Singapore, and what it takes to start and sustain these spaces.

• Want to hear from and connect with other practitioners in the space.

Early bird pricing

From 30 Jul – 10 Aug, this Circle is $22 (incl. GST), instead of the usual $35 (incl. GST). A small thank you for registering early.

A note on pricing

We've priced each Circle at $35 (incl. GST). This helps to cover the costs to keep the session running smoothly — the materials, refreshments, and a small token of appreciation for the practitioners who open up their spaces and their work for this conversation.

We think that's worth it, and we hope you do too. But we also believe in accessibility. If the price is a barrier, email us at civiccentre@ourcommonground.com.sg to explore other options.

Group purchases and organisation invoices

For group purchases (>3 pax) or if you need an invoice to claim this from your organisation, email us at civiccentre@ourcommonground.com.sg.