In 2005 between one and three percent of South Africans experienced a mental health problem, which required them to be admitted to hospital ~ Mental Health Information Centre.
The World Health Organisation expects psychiatric illnesses to rise and be the number one cause of disability within the next 15 years. Living with mental illness requires great courage as it affects many areas of one’s life. The Friends of Valkenberg Trust (Friends) understands this and has a vision to improve the quality of life for the patients and staff of Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital.
The hospital covers a catchment area of more than a million people in the Western Cape, from Simon’s Town to Nyanga, Hout Bay to the West Coast. Many patients have little family or community support and are in hospital for an extended period. Some families may have grown weary, or just don’t know how to cope any longer. Since 1994 Friends has successfully met the needs of patients and staff due to successful partnerships with organisations who share our vision.
In order for Friends to continue meeting patients’ basic needs, offering activity groups and projects for patients, meeting hospital staff needs and ward needs as well as raising awareness around mental illness we need to raise an annual budget in excess of R400,000.
Friends is based on the Hospital premises and is able to support the work of the Hospital, delivering an immediate and sensitive service which not only goes to meeting the many needs, but assists in restoring patients’ dignity and self esteem. An extensive group of dedicated volunteers and staff provide the following services:
Basic patient needs: Basics which restore dignity and support recovery
- Clothing for patients who are admitted without sufficient for their stay
- Assistance getting safely home on discharge
- Meal Scheme for outpatients working in the Occupational Therapy Department
- Food Parcels and meal vouchers for needy households
Events: Special events for hospitalized patients, which bring joy and bridge the gap to the community, while offering opportunities to socialize
- Religious festivals
- Entertainment
Projects with patients: Groups supporting the process of recovery by complementing formal therapy
- Activity Groups including sewing, cooking, arts and crafts, beauty therapy, ceramics, dancing, singing, sports, etc
- The Coffee Trolley, based in the Out Patients Department
- The Hair Salon, offering free hair care and self esteem.
- The Friendly Shop, offering low cost shopping for patients and staff
Ward needs: Meeting needs which fall outside of hospital budgets
- Items that make the wards more comfortable
- Entertainment equipment
- Medical equipment
Support of hospital staff
- Encouraging and showing appreciation of staff through support of formal events as well as and informal partnership
- Facilitating training and development through workshops and support
- Funding new initiatives and events organized by staff for patients, which improve the quality of care of patients and extends the services offered
Awareness raising and destigmatisation
- Dissemination of accurate information and dispelling myths through liaison with press and public
- Facilitating seminars on mental health issues
- Distribution of pamphlets, newsletters and annual report
- Friends of Valkenberg website
OPEN YOUR HEART THIS CHRISTMAS AND BRING HOPE TO PATIENTS AT VALKENBERG HOSPITAL
Loving, sharing and giving are what we all hope for at Christmas. It can be hard not experiencing this with family and friends and having to spend Christmas in hospital during this time. Approximately 350 psychiatric patients will need to stay in the wards at Valkenberg Hospital this Festive Season.
The Friends of Valkenberg Trust would like to invite you to partner with us to bring hope and comfort to these patients. We have been running a successful Christmas programme for many years. The programme which is aimed at psychiatric patients and nursing staff includes parties, outings, a best dressed ward competition, Christmas carols and providing individually wrapped gifts for each patient who stays at Valkenberg Hospital during this time.
Both staff and patients appreciate that Christmas is celebrated in the wards and it makes a difference to everyone’s wellbeing. We would like to appeal to YOU to partner with us to bring hope and comfort to these patients by supporting the Friends of Valkenberg Trust in any one or more of the following ways:
- Providing Christmas gifts for some or all of 350+ patients – these may include underwear, slip slops, t-shirts, socks, caps, a chocolate, deodorant, etc. Cost per gift – R20 (donations in kind also welcome).
- Providing snacks and refreshments for ward parties for patients and staff – these include cool drink, chips, sweets, cake, savouries, etc. Cost per ward – R600 (donations in kind also welcome)
Should you require more information about this programme or want to discuss other opportunities please feel free to contact us (details below).
Operates in: Cape Town, Western Cape
Established in: 1994
Non-Profit Organisation Number: 030-235
Public Benefit Organisation Number: 930003749
Section 21 Company Number:
Trust Number: IT 5114/97
Contact person: Sandra Matthew
Phone: 021 447 2092 (mornings)
Fax: 086 610 2414
Email:
Website: www.friendsofvalkenberg.co.za
Physical address: Valkenberg Hospital, Observatory Road, Observatory, Cape Town
Postal address: P O Box 13566, Mowbray, 7705
