Forest Farm Centre in Bryanston needs community support

The Forest Farm Centre, a care facility for people with cerebral palsy, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, but needs more funding to continue providing care.

The centre was started by parents who had children with cerebral palsy and wanted to provide them with a place to stay once they had finished school. It cares for adults with moderate to severe cerebral palsy and gives them the opportunity to do arts and crafts, go on outings, have social get-togethers and perform small tasks at the workshop. There are currently 93 people who live at Forest Farm ranging from 23 years old to 74 years old. Bulelwa Mahura, a social worker at Forest Farm, said that there are many people who don’t know about the centre and the work that it does. She hopes that more awareness will encourage people to get more involved.”It’s important to raise awareness because unfortunately, a place like ours is not a popular charity, there aren’t too many people who know a lot about cerebral palsy and what we do here.”

Mahura added that there are some individuals who come to volunteer and donate books and furniture who have provided some much-needed assistance. However, she hopes that this will increase, as the centre currently only receives grants from the South African Social Security Agency and subsidies from the Department of Social Development.

To celebrate their 50th anniversary this year, they will host an open day on Mandela Day, 18 July, to invite people from the community to visit the centre and the people who stay there.

While monetary donations are appreciated, to contribute to the centre’s main expenses, other items such as crayons, paints, puzzles and sporting goods are always enjoyed by residents. If you would like to get involved with Forest Farm, you can contact Bulelwa Mahura at bulelwa@forest-farm.org.

Details: Forest Farm Centre 011 789 3008.

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