Sad day for Saint Giles as remedial gym closes
The organisation has every intention to try reopen the therapy centre in the new financial year but funding is needed.
SAINT Giles, a non-profit organisation for people with disabilities in Durban, is in crisis.
The impact of Covid-19 has amplified the intense challenges that South African businesses and NPOs have been facing for many years, mainly in the financial realm.
This crisis has meant that many organisations are having to make difficult decisions to survive, and Saint Giles is no different.
This esteemed organisation has been in operation for the past 68 years providing numerous services for the disabled community, however, one of Saint Giles’s services, the Remedial Therapy Centre (RTC), which helps rehabilitate disabled patients, has come under threat.
The initial lockdown forced the organisation to close which meant patients could not receive their much-needed exercise therapy.
Once lockdown level 3 was reached, the centre was able to open with all social distancing compliance in place.
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However, marketing manager, Brenda Craig, said: “The financial situation of the organisation has reached a crisis. As disposable income becomes scarce and there is no NPO government support in place, Saint Giles has had some tough decisions to make to sustain the longevity of the organisation.” As a result, together with the Board of Directors and other senior management, Saint Giles made the difficult decision to close the centre on 31 August.
“We are sensitive to the impact this will have on the staff who have been retrenched and on the patients who will no longer have access to what was essentially a free service to them and funded by private donors,” said board member, Kerry Kyd.
How to save them
The organisation has every intention and commitment to try and reopen the therapy centre in the new financial year (March 2021).
To do this, they require R1.2 million per year to keep the centre’s doors open. The centre needs to be shown as sustainable going forward. The centre has not been the only service that has been impacted by these challenging times.
Fortunately, the Work Centre, which employs 80 disabled people, was able to reopen under lockdown level 4 as it received essential service status.
This drastic change in the organisation allows Saint Giles to protect the employment of the workers in the Work Centre.
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“This crisis, while devastating, provides Saint Giles with an opportunity to chart a new path – one that we hope will see the therapy centre services restored and Saint Giles being able to offer additional services to the disabled community. For those interested in discussing sponsorship of the therapy centre, or any other funding opportunities please contact me,” said Brenda.
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Rory Hassall, RTC manager, said: “The therapy staff have been given permission to rent out the centre for a period of three hours daily, Monday to Friday, starting from 1 October. A monthly fee for therapy will be in effect to cover therapy and basic overheads during this period.”
He urged all current and prospective new disabled patients to get in touch with Gina on 083 993 9437, Sam on 082 254 5577 or Thanda on 074 865 0387 with details pertaining to this.
While going through this transition period, Saint Giles hopes to find a solution that balances the needs of the patients, the staff and the broader group of disabled people who rely on Saint Giles for work and support.
To help with sponsorship or funding, contact Brenda Craig on 031 337 4404 or email: brenda@saintgiles.org.za.
For businesses looking to outsource packing operations, or for more cost-efficient, certified packers, contact the Work Centre Manager, David Storm: david@saintgiles.org.za.
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