Ann Harding Cheshire Home is a residential care facility for adults between the ages of 18 and 54, who have a physical disability.
Fundraising manager Jackie Kyle described the highs and lows the Northwold care facility faced this year.
Highlights
With the help of the Australian volunteers programme, we were able to set up computers with special communication software and equipment. This allows those who are unable to communicate verbally, to communicate via the computer.
Challenges faced
Our biggest challenge was the lockdown and the effect that it had on our residents. They were unable to go out or see family and friends. We were devastated when Covid-19 hit our home in July this year. Eleven residents got Covid, and seven were hospitalised. Sadly, we lost one dear resident who had been at Ann Harding for over 20 years. We also lost a very special member of staff.
A hero
This year we had so many special people assisting us, but I feel that a very special mention needs to go to the team members at Emer-G-Med who were amazing while we had so many residents ill with Covid-19. They were so fast to respond to our calls for help, and spent time checking on everyone.
Wish list for Christmas
Christmas crackers for Christmas day; small gifts for residents and staff (85); ingredients for trifle – custard, jelly, nuts, fruit, finger biscuits or sponge cake, sherry, cream. Some wine or champagne would be lovely for our residents to have with their Christmas day lunch.
Wish list for 2022
Happy and healthy residents and no lockdowns. We would love to get some more volunteers involved with the residents directly. Someone who has the time to come and spend with them, maybe visit Northgate Shopping Centre with them. We need our roof painted. We are also looking for a portable vital signs monitor. Funding is always welcome.
As with most NPOs, financial assistance is always required. Adult disability is sadly very under-funded in South Africa.
Goals for 2022
We would like to see our independent living cottages grow next year. This was a project that was launched just before lockdown in 2020, and unfortunately had to be halted during lockdown. We had built one cottage, which is currently occupied, but we would very much like to sell more of these cottages, and grow the development. The cottages are independent living for persons with a physical impairment. We are also working on getting a step-down facility built on our property, which will make us a fully comprehensive facility for persons with physical disabilities.
A thank you
As the Ann Harding Cheshire Home, residents, board, management and staff, we would like to say a very heartfelt thank you to our community. You are the people who come when we call for help, and the people who keep our charity shop stocked with your donations. Thank you for loving our residents, and always being willing to have a friendly chat with them, you mean the world to us.
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