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This initiative consists of eight consecutive sessions throughout 2025, each dedicated to highlighting one of the department’s divisions and its services. The sessions include open discussions led by a group of managers and officials from the concerned division, with the participation of stakeholders, partners, as well as affiliates and beneficiaries. The aim is to present available services, encourage discussion and exchange of views, and compile observations and development suggestions that will enhance the department’s services and extend their impact.
The first session, under the theme “Continuous Giving”, focused on the Senior Services Centre of the SSSD. It was held at the Sharjah Cultural Palace, moderated by Khulood Abdullah Al Ali, Director of the Centre, Sumaya Saif Al Shamsi, Head of the Asala Club, Social Care Specialist Salima Mohammed Al Baloushi, and Maryam Ibrahim Muti. The event was attended by Captain Taliea Al Saadi from the Community Police of Sharjah Police General Command, Aisha Obaid Ghabesh, Director of Events and Exhibitions at the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, along with elderly affiliates of the centre.
During the session, Khulood Al Ali reviewed the key services offered to Sharjah residents aged 60 and above in their homes. These include essential care to maintain and develop their abilities, rehabilitation support for caregivers, as well as day services tailored to their needs. Services are provided both at home and through field programmes.
Al Ali stressed that the centre provides external services to support senior citizens and enhance their wellbeing, including the “Mishwar” service, an innovative social initiative that meets their transport needs and ensures best practices in care and empowerment. Another is the “Ijaba” service, which delivers mobile government services directly to beneficiaries at their residences, helping them complete essential transactions in cooperation with partner entities.
The Centre also provides physiotherapy services through its dedicated facility for men and women, offering in-house and home-based treatments for senior citizens and people with disabilities, available both morning and evening. Home care units form an essential part of the Senior Services Centre, with teams consisting of a social worker, therapist, physiotherapist, and nurse. They support psychiatric patients, senior citizens, and people with disabilities across the Emirate.
The Centre also includes a Living Lab, designed to familiarise affiliates and their families with senior-friendly home environments and facilities. Regular monthly home visits are conducted to assess psychological and social wellbeing, with comprehensive reports issued on each case.
Sumaya Al Shamsi, Head of the Asala Club established in 2009, explained that the club provides social, health, and recreational daytime services for senior citizens. Its aim is to strengthen their integration into society through dynamic programmes and activities that ensure interaction with all age groups. The club also organises events connecting past and present generations to introduce youth to traditional Emirati heritage and customs. Currently, the club has 792 members who benefit from its diverse programmes that promote social engagement and intergenerational bonds.
Social Care Specialist Salima Al Baloushi explained that the Centre also offers special transport services for bedridden seniors, enabling them to access healthcare facilities and reducing risks from delayed treatments. The non-emergency transport service provides specially equipped vehicles with wheelchairs, medical beds, oxygen systems, and trained staff to ensure safety and comfort during travel.
Maryam Ibrahim, a Social Care Specialist at the Centre, highlighted the availability of tailored training programmes for caregivers to strengthen their skills in healthcare practices and improve stability for beneficiaries. The Centre also provides home nursing services under the initiative “Rahma”, along with medical support for low-income families. These services include the development of beneficiaries’ skills, supporting caregivers, and providing day programmes through mobile units composed of doctors, nurses, and social workers. These units deliver an integrated package of social, health, and psychological services designed to meet the beneficiaries’ needs.
Captain Taliea Al Saadi from the Community Protection and Prevention Department of Sharjah Police underlined the importance of giving senior citizens special care, in recognition of their role in Emirati society and in line with the leadership’s vision. She pointed out the police’s commitment to engaging seniors in community events, responding swiftly to their concerns, and prioritising their needs in all services and procedures.
Aisha Ghabesh, Director of Events and Exhibitions at the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, emphasised that seniors are a vital and active partner in the Institute’s activities, carrying invaluable local and oral heritage. She described them as a treasured source of folk tales and cultural traditions, encouraging them to pass on their knowledge of traditional crafts to ensure their preservation and documentation for future generations. She stressed that retirement is not the end of contribution, but the beginning of a new phase of involvement, which the Institute values and seeks to maintain through intergenerational engagement.
Finally, Khawla Abdullah Al Ali, Director of the Government Communication Office at the SSSD, explained that the “Pulse of the Community” dialogue sessions represent an interactive platform for strengthening communication channels with the Department’s affiliates and beneficiaries. The sessions explore ways of improving institutional work, ensuring the provision of high-quality services that meet the highest standards.
She added that the Department places great emphasis on direct communication through events, dialogue sessions, and meetings, all scheduled as part of its annual agenda. This ensures beneficiaries are reached, heard, and engaged in shaping services, while also enabling them to share experiences with future generations. Such initiatives help foster belonging, positivity, and the continuation of their influential role in supporting community values.
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