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#trending: Driver applauds friendly staff at manual car wash facility run by people with intellectual disabilities

SINGAPORE — A driver who recently visited a manual car wash facility said on social media that he was pleasantly surprised by the cheery attitudes of the workers who cleaned his car at the Singapore Petroleum Company (SPC) Telok Blangah service station.

At the SPC Telok Blangah service station, the manual car wash facility is operated and managed by about 20 individuals from Minds.

At the SPC Telok Blangah service station, the manual car wash facility is operated and managed by about 20 individuals from Minds.

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  • A driver who recently went for a car wash at the SPC Telok Blangah service station took to Facebook to express his pleasant surprise at the workers' great service and skilful car cleaning
  • He said he was surprised again when he found out that the people who washed his car are from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore 
  • His post has gathered 1,400 likes and 2,100 shares, with many Facebook users encouraging their friends to support the car wash
  • In the comments, other customers also gathered to share glowing reviews of their "favourite car wash" at the outlet

SINGAPORE — A driver who recently visited a manual car wash facility said on social media that he was pleasantly surprised by the cheery attitudes of the workers who cleaned his car at the Singapore Petroleum Company (SPC) Telok Blangah service station.

Impressed by their great service and car cleaning skills, digital creator Jerome Joseph said in his Facebook post that he later looked up the car wash online and was met with another surprise — the facility was operated by persons with intellectual disabilities.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday (Nov 29), Mr Joseph writes: "While sitting in my car getting my car washed by a group of car wash operators, I noticed that all of them kept waving and smiling at me.

"I was surprised. Most times at a car wash in Singapore, rarely does someone smile, wave (or) even look your way.

"Their smiles were contagious and I found myself smiling and waving back.

"Even as they wiped down the car, it felt like they were having fun, enjoyed serving and were focused on doing an amazing job getting my car clean."

Mr Joseph's post has gathered 1,400 likes and 2,100 shares, with many Facebook users encouraging their friends to support the car wash.

Known as Minds Wash, the manual car wash facility at the SPC service station is a collaboration between the petroleum company and the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (Minds). This has been in place since 2004.

The company's objective behind Minds Wash is to "help integrate persons with intellectual disability into society, and to show Singaporeans just how capable they are", the Minds website states.

The Minds Wash team at SPC Telok Blangah service station.

In Mr Joseph's Facebook post, other Minds Wash customers shared glowing reviews of their "favourite car wash" in the comments. 

One Facebook user gushed: "I went to only this car wash during the six years I lived in Singapore and I simply love the team!!! They are amazing and have the best attitude."

Another agreed: "Yes, going to a car wash at this place will really make your day! I have been visiting them for more than 10 years."

Even customers who go less frequently had praises to sing: "I have washed my car here before and I can verify it's the best car wash service on the island.

"I wish most car wash (facilities) would adopt this concept."

Some also said that they try to tip the operators or "buy them some chocolates" whenever they visit.

On the Minds website, training officer Jumaslan Awe says that many first-time customers are surprised to learn that the staff members are capable of performing these tasks so well.

He adds that many regular customers have built a relationship with the Minds Wash workers over the years, often stepping out of their vehicles to chat with them at the drying station.

As the Minds website puts it: "After close to two decades of successful operations, the Minds Wash initiative is testament to the fact that persons with intellectual disability can perform tasks efficiently and contribute meaningfully to society with the right training and opportunities."

Minds Wash is located at 616 Telok Blangah Road.

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Trending Minds SPC Telok Blangah car wash

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