In Singapore’s evolving social impact landscape, conversations around growth are no longer just about scaling numbers or expanding reach. Increasingly, the focus is shifting towards something far more meaningful and long-lasting: trust.
On 20 April 2026, an insightful session titled “Scaling with Trust” will take place at The Foundry, bringing together practitioners, community builders, and social innovators who are interested in how purpose-driven organisations can grow without losing their core values along the way.
This is not just another networking talk or surface-level panel discussion. Instead, it is positioned as a reflective learning experience that explores how social impact organisations can strengthen relationships with communities, partners, and public systems while still expanding their work sustainably.
At the centre of the session is Priyanka Handa from Learn To Play, who will be sharing grounded insights from her work in community engagement, women empowerment, and play-based learning approaches. Her perspective adds a practical layer to the discussion, especially for organisations trying to balance growth with authenticity.
Why “Scaling with Trust” Matters Today
Many organisations start with strong intentions. Whether it is supporting vulnerable communities, improving education access, or addressing social inequality, the early stages are often driven by passion and close community connections. However, as these initiatives grow, challenges begin to appear.
Scaling often introduces complexity. Systems become more formalised, reporting requirements increase, and funding structures can shift priorities. In some cases, organisations unintentionally drift away from the communities they originally aimed to serve.
This is where trust becomes essential.
Trust is not just about reputation. It is about consistency, accountability, and relational depth. It is also about ensuring that communities feel heard, respected, and involved even as programmes expand.
The “Scaling with Trust” session at The Foundry is designed to unpack exactly these challenges and offer real-world reflections on how organisations can avoid losing their grounding during growth.
A Closer Look at the Session Theme
The discussion will explore several interconnected ideas that are especially relevant to Singapore’s social innovation ecosystem.
One key focus is community engagement through asset-based approaches. Instead of viewing communities through a lens of deficiency or need, asset-based thinking highlights strengths, resources, and lived experiences already present within the community. This shift in perspective can transform how programmes are designed and delivered.
Another important theme is the role of play in learning and development. Through the work of Learn To Play, Priyanka Handa brings attention to how play-based methods can support emotional well-being, creativity, and resilience, especially among children and marginalised groups. In fast-paced urban environments like Singapore, this approach offers a refreshing reminder that learning does not always need to be rigid to be effective.
The session also touches on mindfulness in organisational growth. While the term is often associated with individual well-being, it is increasingly being applied at an organisational level. Mindful scaling encourages leaders to pause, reflect, and consider the long-term implications of decisions rather than focusing solely on short-term outputs.
Why This Event Stands Out
There are many talks and forums in Singapore’s social impact space, but what makes this session particularly valuable is its practical grounding.
Rather than focusing purely on theory, the discussion draws from lived experience. Priyanka Handa’s work with Learn To Play offers real-world examples of what happens when organisations prioritise relationships alongside results.
This is especially relevant for non-profits, social enterprises, educators, and community leaders who are navigating the tension between impact and expansion.
Another standout aspect is the setting itself. The Foundry, located at 11 Prinsep Link, Singapore 187949, has become a recognised space for collaboration, innovation, and cross-sector dialogue. It is known for hosting conversations that bring together diverse voices from across Singapore’s social ecosystem.
The environment encourages openness and reflection, making it an ideal venue for a topic that requires honesty and depth.
The Challenge of Scaling Without Losing Values
One of the most common struggles in the social impact sector is maintaining values during growth.
As organisations expand, they often face pressure to standardise processes, meet funding requirements, and demonstrate measurable outcomes. While these elements are important, they can sometimes overshadow the human relationships that form the foundation of social change work.
This session encourages participants to think critically about how values can remain central even as structures evolve.
For example, how can organisations ensure that community voices continue to shape decision-making processes? How can feedback loops remain meaningful rather than symbolic? How can trust be actively maintained rather than assumed?
These are not easy questions, but they are necessary ones.
Women Empowerment and Inclusive Growth
Another important dimension of the discussion is women empowerment. Through Learn To Play’s work, there is a strong emphasis on creating inclusive spaces where women and girls can participate fully in learning, leadership, and community development.
In many social impact settings, women play central roles as caregivers, educators, and community anchors. However, their voices are not always equally represented in decision-making spaces.
By highlighting empowerment alongside scaling, the session encourages participants to consider who benefits most from growth and who might be left behind if inclusion is not actively prioritised.
Networking with Purpose
While the event is not framed as a commercial gathering, it does provide meaningful opportunities for connection. Participants are expected to include social workers, programme managers, educators, policy thinkers, and impact-driven entrepreneurs.
Unlike typical networking sessions that focus on exchanging contacts, this gathering is more aligned with sharing ideas, challenges, and practical experiences.
The value lies in hearing how different organisations interpret trust and how they apply it in their own contexts.
Why It Is Worth Attending
For anyone involved in community work or social innovation in Singapore, this session offers a timely reflection point.
It is easy to become absorbed in targets, reports, and expansion plans. However, events like this create space to step back and reconsider what sustainable impact truly looks like.
Attending this session could be particularly useful for:
- Leaders managing growing social programmes
- Educators exploring alternative learning methods
- NGO staff working on community engagement
- Social entrepreneurs balancing impact and sustainability
- Policymakers interested in grassroots perspectives
Ultimately, the conversation around trust is not abstract. It directly influences how effective and meaningful social impact work can be over time.
Promotional/Event Details
Date: 20 April 2026
Venue: The Foundry, 11 Prinsep Link, Singapore 187949
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