Evaluating the Resilience Trails™: Opportunities to break multi-stressed families out of poverty
Research Brief
In Dec 2024, Skillseed partnered with Chua Tian Poh Community Leadership Center (CTPCLC) to evaluate the Resilience Trails™ (RT). Guided by Dr Kevin Tan, CTPCLC students undertook the research over the next 5 months and presented their findings to Skillseed in May 2025. The following are the key insights shared by the research team:
Key Research Question
Does RT, as a community building programme, contribute towards lifting multi-stressed families out of poverty?
Methodology
Ethnographic Case Study Approach, with semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.
Sample Size
5 Community Guides (Guides)
Response Rate
5 out of 7 Guides, or 71%.
The Resilience Trails community sharing life, laughter and dinner.
Key Insights
RT provides Guides with a source of meaningful work, which includes emotional empowerment and personal fulfillment.
“... the act of guiding is not merely transactional but becomes a form of empowerment, promoting self-expression and community contribution. Rather than having the label of being ‘in need’, Guides see themselves as able to give and derive esteem from this.”
Through RT, Guides have a platform to remain socially engaged, an often overlooked aspect faced by multi-stressed families.
“the primary way RT’s social networks supported Guides was through the accumulation of positive socio-emotional impacts that emerged from community engagement…”
Skillseed’s relational approach provided individuals support beyond their primary role as a Guide.
“Beyond RT, we also observed material and vertical support stemming from direct relationships with Skillseed, which created additional opportunities and assistance that indirectly supported their livelihoods.”
If you'd like to find out more about the report, please reach out to info@skillseed.sg.
Note of Appreciation
Skillseed would like to thank the student researchers (FU Fabian, HO Issac, NGIN Danielle, ONG Bryan, YEW Chermaine), supervisor Dr TAN Kevin, Dr GOH Nigel (Skillseed’s volunteer) and our Community Guides for their contributions to this research project.