Fari Wu did not know about co-operatives (co-op) until she joined A Good Space, a co-op that brings changemakers together to tackle complex issues. Today, she’s a proud co-owner, amplifying the voices within the community and the impact they create – one story at a time.

“We always hear about the kampong spirit,” she says. “But many of us, especially millennials, never really lived it. A Good Space gave me that feeling.” For her, the sense of camaraderie and community-ness was one of the many reasons that drew her into the co-op.

Another reason that drew her in was the collaborative nature of the co-operative model, Fari, who was introduced to A Good Space co-operative by a friend, adds. Co-ops, by virtue, practice the principles of self-help and mutual assistance. “Whether you are the chairman or an intern, your views are heard equally,” she says.

For the uninitiated, A Good Space is Singapore’s first co-operative co-owned by changemakers, individuals who are passionate about addressing social issues. Its mission is to bring changemakers together to collaborate and co-create meaningful projects that tackle challenges such as mental health, migrant welfare, and sustainability.  It was formed during the pandemic in 2020, and survived the stresses of that time.

At the time of this writing, A Good Space boasts 35 members and continues to empower them to develop collaborative solutions for complex social challenges, covering 15 social issues and communities.

As a changemaker, Fari founded the Merlion Project, a ground-up initiative aimed at collating and celebrating stories of struggles and success. She is joined by Toh Kian Beng, a fellow co-operator from A Good Space and a concurrently also a representative of the Emerging Leaders Programme.

One of Merlion Project’s initiatives is the Human Library, which spotlights underrepresented voices by inviting individuals to share their lived experiences with an intimate audience.

According to Fari, this format of the Human Library may take on a pay-as-you-wish format, which entails participants contributing a token fee to attend and listen to these sessions. Topics may span across issues, such as mental health, caregiving, or life in marginalised communities. The fees collected help cover venue costs and provide a modest gratuity to the speakers. While the initiative isn’t a major source of income for Fari, it underscores the tough trade-offs purpose-driven projects often face between creating meaningful social impact and achieving financial sustainability.

Whether she is organising a Human Library session or donning a mermaid tail (her side hustle) to entertain children, Fari sees magic in creating spaces where people feel seen and safe. It’s in the joy of making someone laugh, the courage of sharing a vulnerable story, the comfort of being understood. For Fari, magic lives in kindness, in courage, and in the willingness to act before the moment slips away.

Reflecting on her journey as a co-operator which led to her becoming a co-owner of A Good Space, Fari tells us she has learnt a lot about herself too. “I’m always exploring,” the former journalist says. “I didn’t start out saying I wanted to champion mental health. I just knew I wanted to create change.” Perhaps it is this openness that led her to advocate in the mental health space.

As a storyteller, Fari has heard of countless stories from all those around her. One of the most defining moments came when she heard the story of a stranger, who was battling cancer, and felt immensely touched by this stranger's grit and perserverance. Unfortunately, she passed away before Fari could invite her to share her story. That loss, while distant, became her biggest push, a reminder that life is too short to act and not wait for the perfect moment.  

“Now I just tell myself, let’s just do it. It doesn’t have to be perfect,” she says.

Fari is one of many changemakers within the A Good Space ecosystem. Each of whom brings his or her own lived experience and spark to drive social impact in different ways. Some, like The Ubuntu Space, use tools like LEGO® Serious Play® to help people make sense of their mental health journeys. Others focus on migrant worker inclusion, youth empowerment, or environmental sustainability. What connects them is a shared belief that real change happens when communities come together to create it.

As a co-owner, Fari plays an active role in shaping the co-op’s direction. She also contributes to community strategy and outreach, and is especially passionate about making the co-op more inclusive for creatives and storytellers.

Looking ahead, she’s excited about exploring cross-collaborations within the network, perhaps a new project that might be in a similar vein as Humans of New York, infused with her signature spark of magic: a deep desire to connect through empathy. As always, her compass points to the people whose voices we too often overlook.

For anyone dreaming to create change but unsure where to start, Fari offers simple advice: “Start exploring to find out what you will resonate with.” And if you’re feeling it, maybe even start with a vibe check.

Faces of Co-operator is a seasonal column featuring the stories behind co-operative employees and members. Here, we featured Ms Fari Wu, a co-owner of A Good Space Co-operative.

By Kesia Lam and Sng Ler Jun