Forum to open care facility
THE Bonteheuwel Joint Peace Forum community care centre is expected to welcome its first Covid-19-positive residents next week, following the final stages of preparations this week.
The centre, which was established in collaboration with Rondebosch Community Action Network, is expected to accommodate low-risk Covid-19 patients unable to safely self-isolate at home but who want to stay in their neighbourhoods.
The Bonteheuwel Multipurpose Centre was identified and extensive repairs had to be done.
Joint Peace Forum chairperson Nadia Mayman said that in Bonteheuwel there were a number of cases demonstrating the urgent need for such a local care centre. She said the daily running of the centre would be managed by volunteers.
“Patients who are severely ill won’t be accommodated at the centre as this is not a medical facility. The purpose is to assist those who have mild symptoms, who are unable to self-isolate at home. Most Covid-19-positive people only experience mild symptoms and don’t need to be admitted to hospital. In all likelihood, these people will recover fully without any medical intervention,” she said.
Mayman said the centre would consist of temporary beds for Covid-19 patients, a kitchen for cooking meals daily, a laundry where bedding and patient clothing can be cleaned, separate shower and toilet areas for men and women, and a community-supported food garden to provide fresh vegetables to the kitchen.
“We’re trying to push for an open day so community members can come and have a look at what the centre is all about and the changes we’ve made to the centre, and later officially open it.
“However we need a number of items, like beds, as we currently have four beds and we have planned 12 beds for the first phase,” she said.
Claire Tapscott from Rondebosch Community Action Network said establishing the centre had been “a massive team effort”, with support from the community, churches, local businesses and individual donors.
“Repairs to the centre and the Le
Bon Food Garden began in June and much progress has been made since.
“On Mandela Day we held a volunteer gardening and clean-up session and appealed to the public to donate R67 towards the repairs of the centre.
“Most recently, we held a successful online art auction that featured 40 different artworks. The money raised was shared between the artists and centre repairs fund,” she said.
Mayman said they were also in need of volunteers to look after the residents in the centre. They would receive four training sessions as well as an induction session.