Nestled in the vibrant and bustling heartlands of Kreta Ayer, lies a charming cafe called “The Social Space”. In the two years I have been here, I have seen how intentional and purposeful the work is and also felt myself evolve.
I can still recall that I used to be a lot quieter when I first started working part-time at TSS 2 years ago. Slowly, that quiet girl has grown to be more confident and determined and is now finally ready to fearlessly take her first step into the working world. To be honest, I had never imagined that what started as a part-time job to support myself financially on the side during my university years, would grow to become a place that holds such significance for me and one that I will be missing wholeheartedly as I finally take my leave.
To me, TSS is more than just a job. It became a safe and comforting area in my life that I could go to for respite and to take a mindful pause amidst my hectic school schedules and deadlines. In my conversations with the cafe staff over time, I have come to realise that this is something a lot of us share in common, and it really heartens me to hear. It is a testament to how work at TSS does not just embody hard work, but also heart work, where individuals are given grace to find their footing and are enveloped in a sense of community. Here at TSS, you will find that people really do care about you, ask how you are doing and will care to see beyond the surface.
So if you were to ask me what makes TSS so special and has tugged at me to stay on for so long, I would have to say that it has always been the people here. Daniel, Cheryl, and all the staff that I had the chance to work alongside on & off during my 2 years here. To Daniel, thank you for taking the chance to hire me 2 years ago and for always being understanding, especially whenever I needed to take some time away from TSS to focus on my other commitments and school. Because of your kindness, I always knew that TSS was a place that I could lean on and felt supported. To Cheryl, beyond your strong demeanour, I have seen how you have always ensured that the staff are well taken of and am in awe of all that you do. Of course, not forgetting our supervisors Blanca, Mariah and Sue who are the pillars behind our operations and work tirelessly to keep all our outlets running smoothly.
I can still remember the first conversation I had with Daniel when he first hired me, where he described how TSS is a rest stop for many of the staff as we find our footing and navigate transitions in our lives. Some like me are still in school, others perhaps taking a career break or even easing themselves back into working again after a long hiatus. Yet, somehow we all found ourselves at TSS, a place where individuals from different walks of life converge, each on our own unique journey. In time, you will see that we are not so different from each other after all, as we are all trying to figure things out and to slowly better ourselves. As I look back, TSS has been a constant during a period of my life where I weathered through 2 internships, my last 2 years of university, and in my last semester when I was buried in research and job search. I don’t think that I can be fully where I am today, if not for the support that TSS has given me over the years.
As I prepare to leave TSS and step into the next chapter of my life after graduation, I do so with a very full heart and a lot of gratitude. TSS has been a place of learning, not just about work, but about life, relationships, and chosen family and community. I know that I will be missing it dearly, but am excited to carry the lessons I’ve learned here into the world beyond its doors.
P.S. One of my favourite pastimes at TSS is to read at the cafe while enjoying a slice of avocado toast topped with smoked salmon (a personal creation) and coffee! Here is a vlog I made for my Malay Language module during one of my university semesters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN8YzeLHUfA

Please refer the Job description for details