Creative Community Engagement with Psychology Testimonials

Camillia Thng, Lead, Consultancy and Community Research, Common Ground  

During my time in secondary school, I was involved in my school's drama CCA. Coupled with my interest in psychology and understanding how people think in different situations, I chose to pursue a Diploma in Applied Drama & Psychology (DADP), now the Creative Community Engagement with Psychology Specialisation (CCEP) at Singapore Polytechnic.

In my current role as the Lead in Community Research at Common Ground, I am applying the skills and knowledge acquired during my studies at SP. It is also interesting that now I can witness how research informs me on how people behave and vice versa.

Every bit of learning or knowledge you gain during your time at SP is like a tool in your toolbox. But the tools are only useful if you take the time to practice and sharpen them. Be patient as you become better and better throughout your career.

Camillia Thng Transforms Every Lesson into a Powerful Tool for Shaping Lives

In secondary school, my love for drama and psychology drew me to SP’s Applied Drama & Psychology diploma, now CCEP. Today, as Lead in Community Research at Common Ground, I see how those skills impact real lives. Every lesson is a tool—refine them, stay curious, and let your journey shape your career. 

Joeve Lio Shi Shi, Arts Programmer, St Luke’s ElderCare 

I was initially drawn to psychology, simply because I wanted to understand minds and human emotions and better understand people. I wanted to be a counsellor and work in the field of psychology. When I entered the Diploma in Applied Drama & Psychology, now the Creative Community Engagement with Psychology Specialisation, I was touched by the power of human stories and community-centric works. This expanded my desire to work with the community intentionally. I realised that I enjoy the very simple bonding between people and how the arts can bring hearts together.

With that, I further my studies in Arts Management (LASALLE) in the hope of producing more socially-centric works with people and for people.

Since then, I have dedicated my skills and time to producing arts programmes for the elder community in the senior care sector (St Luke’s ElderCare). I believe in creating works that speak to the heart and engage the soul. On the side, I co-founded a drama collective focusing on applied drama: honouring stories and giving space to voices unheard.

I was fortunate to have great lecturers at SP who were also practitioners in the field! Under their mentorship and guidance, I had the opportunity to work directly with the community, using drama or mixed media to tell stories. They motivated and led me to the path that I am today. What I have and what I am today are the result of what they have given me.

My advice for peers and juniors is to be greedy and learn, dive deep, and be ready and fearless to try the hard things!

Joeve Lio Embraces the Journey to Find her Passion

Drawn to psychology to understand minds, I found my passion in SP’s Applied Drama & Psychology, now CCEP, where the power of human stories moved me. I now create community-focused arts for seniors and co-run a drama collective that amplifies unheard voices. My advice: Be fearless, dive deep, and embrace the journey.

Kho Yong Xiang, Senior Executive, Agency for Integrated Care, Healthy Ageing Department 

I chose to study a Diploma in Applied Drama and Psychology (now the Creative Community Engagement with Psychology Specialisation), fueled by a newfound interest in the art form and hungry to learn more. Psychology also felt like it could offer new opportunities too!

My memorable experiences in SP were those spent “doing”. I enjoyed that SP offered me space to experience and try – and fail! I recall fondly the time when we went to a local primary school to conduct a Story Drama class. It challenged our facilitation skills and our understanding of classroom management when we had to meet the excited children’s enthusiasm, while having to improvise our lesson plan as we ran out of time.

I believe the Diploma in Applied Drama and Psychology felt quite unconventional at the time – to have both an art and social science together. It had primed me to continue pursuing multi-disciplinary studies in Communications and New Media, public health and theatre studies in university. The arts have also been my entry point to a wide range of topics: understanding social issues and Singapore’s culture and heritage.

I found myself in the intersection of arts and health through my exposure to SP’s industry connections. After graduation, I continued volunteering with Drama Box. One of the projects was Both Sides, Now with Artswok Collaborative, which used various art forms to start difficult conversations of end-of-life issues within communities. I am also ever thankful for my experiences in facilitating programmes for seniors in the nursing homes and in the community with my lecturer, Ms Chang Mei Yee. These experiences of interacting with seniors through these projects, witnessing first-hand the impact arts programmes could have on the community, and the exposure to various partners led me to discovering opportunities in the Community Care sector.

One of the things we learnt in class was a technique of being “in role” as different character , experimenting with new ways of being and doing. I would encourage my juniors to embrace opportunities to take on different hats, and try new things. At the very least, it would give you a better understanding of yourself and point you to your next step!

SP's Hands-on Approach Shaped Kho Yong Xiang's Creative Path That Impacts Lives

I chose SP’s Applied Drama and Psychology (now CCEP) to explore the intersection of arts and psychology. SP’s hands-on approach, like teaching Story Drama to energetic kids, shaped my path towards arts in community care. These experiences showed me the impact of creative work. My advice: try everything, take risks, and find your way.