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 The Single Seniors Welfare Trust (SSWT) is a Delhi-based non-governmental organization dedicated to the welfare, empowerment, and social integration of single senior citizens. Established in October 2022 and officially registered in March 2023, the Trust was founded with the vision of creating a safe, supportive, and active community for elderly individuals who live alone due to being unmarried, widowed, divorced, or separated, or whose children live away from them. In just two years, SSWT has grown from 5 founding members to over 300 active members, mainly in the Keshav Puram area of Delhi, with expanding outreach to other parts of the city.

1. Objectives and Vision
SSWT’s core mission is to ensure that single seniors do not feel socially isolated, financially insecure, or digitally left behind. The organization seeks to foster friendship, emotional support, and knowledge sharing among members while also addressing their legal, health, and financial concerns. The Trust’s vision includes promoting active and healthy aging, protecting the rights of senior citizens, and encouraging them to continue contributing to society.

2. Membership and Community Building
Membership of SSWT is open to all senior citizens above 55 years of age who are living alone, regardless of their financial or educational background. The Trust conducts regular membership drives and encourages new members through personal outreach, community events, and referrals. Meetings are generally held monthly, where members can meet in a friendly atmosphere, share experiences, and participate in group activities. Birthdays of members are celebrated collectively, creating a family-like environment.

3. Welfare and Empowerment Initiatives
SSWT works across several key areas for the well-being of seniors:
Social and Recreational Activities: The Trust organizes events such as musical afternoons, picnics, festival celebrations, and visits to exhibitions or cultural programs. These help seniors stay socially active and emotionally healthy.
Health and Medical Support: SSWT helps members access affordable healthcare, organizes health check-up camps, and supports needy seniors with medical expenses through member contributions and donations. In some cases, the Trust facilitates emergency ambulance services for members.
Legal and Financial Awareness: Recognizing that many seniors face legal and financial challenges, SSWT organizes awareness sessions on Will writing, legal rights under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, pension rules, and consumer protection.
Digital Literacy: The Trust conducts workshops to teach seniors how to use smartphones, online banking, social media, and digital safety practices. The President and Chairman, being authors of books on digital literacy, lead these initiatives personally.
Advocacy and RTI Use: SSWT’s leadership is actively involved in filing Right to Information (RTI) applications and public grievances to push for policy reforms benefiting senior citizens, such as reinstating railway concessions, rationalizing circle rates in Delhi, and improving healthcare policies.

4. Special Support for Needy Seniors
SSWT has a standing commitment to help financially weak and ailing seniors. Members are encouraged to identify such cases, after which the Trust verifies their needs and decides on assistance. Support can be in the form of cash aid, medicines, food, or help in accessing government welfare schemes. This monthly aid selection is done transparently in committee meetings.

5. Leadership and Management
The Trust is led by a managing committee elected by members. The current President is Shri Suraj Parkash Manchanda, a retired banker and social activist with extensive experience in senior citizen welfare and RTI activism. The Chairman is Shri S. P. Manchanda, who has authored multiple books for seniors. The Vice President is Shri J. R. Arora. The team works on a volunteer basis, ensuring that maximum resources are spent directly on welfare activities.

6. Public Engagement and Collaborations
SSWT regularly collaborates with other senior citizen organizations, NGOs, healthcare providers, and local businesses. Guests such as retired senior officials, social workers, and subject experts are invited to events to share insights and motivate members. The Trust has also been recognized in senior citizen forums for its innovative and community-oriented approach.

7. Communication and Outreach
To keep members informed, SSWT uses WhatsApp groups, printed circulars, and personal phone calls. Announcements about upcoming events, welfare schemes, and useful tips are shared regularly. Plans are underway to create an official website and mobile app to expand outreach and provide an AI-powered digital helpdesk for seniors.

8. Funding and Sustainability
SSWT is funded through membership fees, donations from well-wishers, and contributions from members. The Trust maintains transparency in its financial dealings, with income and expenses reviewed in committee meetings. Efforts are ongoing to secure CSR partnerships and government grants to expand its welfare programs.

9. Achievements and Impact
In a short time, SSWT has achieved remarkable growth in membership and activity scope. It has built a strong support network for single seniors, helped members gain confidence in using technology, encouraged legal preparedness through Will-writing sessions, and provided direct assistance to needy elders. Its events have brought joy and companionship to members who might otherwise face loneliness.

10. Future Plans
Looking ahead, SSWT aims to establish a permanent senior citizen activity center in Delhi, offer more structured health monitoring programs, start skill-sharing workshops, and launch a helpline for emergency and guidance support. The Trust also plans to publish more educational material for seniors, expand its network across Delhi, and advocate for single-senior-specific welfare policies at the government level.

Through its compassionate, inclusive, and proactive approach, SSWT has emerged as a model organization for single senior citizens. It is not merely a welfare body but a growing family that ensures its members age with dignity, joy, and purpose.

Regards,
SP Manchanda
President SSWT
Mobile: 9891827669