The Ascott Limited (Ascott), the lodging arm of CapitaLand Investment (CLI), is strengthening its disability inclusion efforts with a S$400,000 contribution to Save the Children, a global non-profit organisation.
Funded by CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF), the philanthropic arm of CapitaLand Group, the donation is part of the CapitaLand AccessABLE Programme and will support two key initiatives in Thailand and the United Kingdom. These programmes aim to benefit 160 children and youths with disabilities by equipping them with skills, confidence, and access to social, educational, and economic opportunities.
In Thailand, Ascott and Save the Children are collaborating to develop a tailored skills training curriculum for 60 visually impaired youths. The programme focuses on essential workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. By the end of the course, approximately half of the participants are expected to secure employment at Dots Coffee—a social enterprise staffed entirely by individuals with visual impairments—while others will receive continued job placement support.
Supporting SEND Children in the UK
In the UK, the partnership is backing the Sheffield Community Bus Project, a mobile inclusion hub that serves around 100 children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families living below the poverty line. The bus offers targeted workshops and critical services to help children with SEND access educational and community opportunities, while also reducing barriers to inclusion.
Championing a Culture of Inclusion
Ms Beh Siew Kim, Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer for Lodging at CLI and Managing Director for Japan and Korea at Ascott, who also serves as a CHF Board Director, emphasised Ascott’s broader mission:
“Disability inclusion is a key pillar of our Ascott CARES sustainability framework. This partnership with Save the Children extends our culture of care into the wider community, helping children and youths with disabilities live with confidence and dignity.”
She also noted the initiative’s alignment with Ascott’s collaboration with SG Enable, Singapore’s lead agency for disability inclusion. Together, they plan to launch a dedicated training course for hospitality professionals at the Ascott Centre for Excellence in Singapore and release a global playbook in the second half of 2025 to guide disability inclusion across all Ascott properties.
Transformative Impact on the Ground
Mr Guillaume Rachou, Executive Director of Save the Children Thailand, praised the partnership:
“This initiative empowers visually impaired youth with vital life and employment skills, while also challenging societal perceptions and fostering inclusion.”
Ms Rachel Parkin, Head of England at Save the Children UK, added:
“Thanks to Ascott and CHF, we’re co-developing an accessible, inclusive and family-centred Community Bus in Shirecliffe. This will help ensure families receive the support they need, right in their own communities.”
Deepening community engagement
CHF executive director Tan Seng Chai highlighted the initiative’s community impact:
“The AccessABLE Programme enriches lives by promoting independence and social engagement for persons with disabilities. Through hands-on involvement, Ascott staff are helping to identify accessibility barriers and co-create practical solutions—strengthening CapitaLand’s strong culture of volunteerism.”
Celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day
The partnership was formally launched at a special concert on 17 May 2025 at Somerset Rama 9 Bangkok, in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Featuring performances by artists with disabilities, the event attracted around 100 attendees and showcased inclusion in the arts and hospitality sectors. Proceeds supported the Foundation for Children with Disabilities (Thailand) and the Thai Blind People’s Foundation. Dots Coffee also hosted a kiosk to highlight its inclusive employment model.
In conjunction with the event, Ms Beh participated in a fireside chat titled “Building Inclusive Spaces: The Singapore Experience” at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, sharing Ascott’s approach to accessibility in hospitality design and programming.
Sustained commitment through Ascott CARES
The Save the Children partnership complements Ascott’s wider disability inclusion agenda, outlined in its 2024 Sustainability Report. In Singapore, over 130 Ascott associates volunteered with Rainbow Centre to support children with special needs. In China, more than 400 individuals—including youths with autism and their families—have benefited from career immersion and arts programmes. In 2025, these initiatives will expand to include music and vocational training.
As the Official Global Hotels Partner of Chelsea Football Club, Ascott also hosted the Southeast Asia leg of The Famous CFC global fan tour in Singapore. The event featured football clinics with Chelsea coaches and legend Gianfranco Zola and included youth participants from SportCares and the Singapore Disability Sports Council. A charity auction of signed memorabilia raised funds for the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund, supporting persons with disabilities.
Looking ahead
To learn more about Ascott’s disability inclusion initiatives and sustainability efforts, refer to the Ascott Limited Sustainability Report 2024, which details its commitment to building a greener and more inclusive future through the Ascott CARES framework.