Anniversary helderberg hospice
Providing care for over 40 years
Julian Weil
On 10 February 1987 the non-profit organisation
Helderberg Hospice was registered at the Companies Office in Pretoria under the number 1987/006656/08.
However that was not the beginning of our story
The hospice movement in England was established through the hard work and determination of Dame Cicely Saunders. She visited Cape Town to spread the word about hospice in early 1985 At the talk our founder, Sister Pat Pigeon, was duly inspired and began working for St Lukes Hospice in Kenilworth, extending its services to Somerset West.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Sister Pat, together with Sister Liz Flack, working out of the boot of the formers car visited patients at home and were convinced there was a need for a hospice in Somerset West. She gathered a small group of medical professionals, business leaders and community-minded people to form a working group
After many discussions, and with the goodwill of the councillors of the then-Somerset West Municipality the official formation of Helderberg Hospice followed. This year, 40 years later, we recognise, commend and celebrate these early pioneers for their foresight and determination to establish Helderberg Hospice
Our initial home was a room given to us by the late Councillor Chris Cohen, adjacent to his shop in Church Street (behind the town hall) From these small beginnings where are we now?
Thanks to the goodwill of the municipality, we were fortunate to be offered a long-term lease on the site that has been our home since November 1988 What you see now has changed immeasurably from the single property we originally occupied 37 years ago
In 1993, the 10-bed in-patient support centre was opened, and in 2000 came the addition of the administration building As the need for palliative-care training grew so did our footprint, and in 2011 we were able to add a training hall to
the property The introduction of our Garden of Remembrance came in 2016, which has seen another expansion project, to accommodate a new labyrinth memorial, this year Under the capable leadership of CEO Robert de Wet, we have a team of 52 full-time staff responsible for all aspects of clinical service delivery, fundraising and special event management, all of whom are supported by a group of around 130 unpaid volunteers who tend our Garden of Remembrance, answer the telephones at our reception and assist in our charity shops and at fundraising events.
CARE AND COMPASSION
Helderberg Hospice is governed by a board of 11 directors, drawn from a wide range of professional backgrounds, all of whom serve in a voluntary capacity Board members contribute expertise in fields such as medicine, nursing, administration, accountancy, fundraising
and law
Now you know who we are, why is Helderberg Hospice so important to our community?
Our purpose is to facilitate quality of life and alleviate suffering within our community, so people experience peace comfort and dignity when it matters most We achieve this through compassion, treating everyone equally striving for excellence and acting with integrity
Hospice is often wrongly seen as just a place for people dying of cancer We are constantly working to correct this misconception. Hospice is much more than that; we offer proactive palliative care by advocating for and providing palliative care across the board.
What then is palliative care and why is it important?
Palliative care can best be described as a specialised field of medical care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses. It puts a
focus on improving the quality of life of both the patient and their loved ones through the meticulous management of pain and symptoms. Dr Mark Hosking, our resident doctor, and all our nurses and social workers are palliatively trained and experienced.
HOSPICE A ‘PHILOSOPHY’
Like all NPOs working in the non-governmental sector, we are acutely aware that our services come at a cost. We must continually manage and, where possible, grow our income and funding Hospice is not a “place”, but rather a philosophy and special kind of care
It is a warm-hearted, empathetic group of people striving to provide a much-needed service to our community and we take this opportunity to thank our community for 40 years of support.
Julian Weil is chairperson of the Helderberg Hospice Board.
From humble beginnings Helderberg Hospice has evolved into a vital community institution of more-than-40-years’ standing in Somerset West with comprehensive facilities, 52 staff members, 130 volunteers and a dedicated board of directors who, together, provide specialised palliative care that ensures peace, comfort and dignity for patients with life-limiting illnesses
Inspired by Dame Cicely Saunders in 1985, Sister Pat Pigeon (pictured) transformed hospice care in the Helderberg Basin, from working out of her car boot alongside Sister Liz Flack to founding Helderberg Hospice and gathering medical professionals and community leaders whose vision has blossomed into a vital organisation celebrating four decades of compassionate palliative care.
The Inter-Disciplinary Team (IDT) model is at the heart of effective hospice and palliative care, offering a holistic approach that addresses the multifaceted needs of patients and their loved ones
At Helderberg Hospice this model is not merely a theoretical framework but a lived reality, seamlessly integrating medical, nursing, psycho-social, religious and spiritual care
This comprehensive approach is particularly vital in the context of life-limiting illnesses, where patients’ challenges extend beyond physical symptoms and care encompasses emotional psycho-social and existential dimensions
The IDT at Helderberg Hospice comprises palliative care-trained doctors, nurses, social workers and volunteers, each bringing their expertise to the table This collaborative approach ensures that care plans are comprehensive and tailored to the individual needs of each patient and always place the patient at the centre of the care pathway
Doctors and nurses focus on symptom management including pain control, and complex medical interventions in an effort to ensure that physical comfort is enhanced and maintained
Social workers provide counselling bereavement support facilitate support groups and assist with practical matters, addressing both the emotional and psycho-social aspects of care
Recognising the importance of the holistic well-being of our patients involves a broad range of skills for the patient and their loved ones
The Helderberg Hospice team facilitates the support of religious and spiritual leaders to help patients and their families find peace, comfort and dignity during challenging times
This integrated approach aligns with the standards set by the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC), which em-
phasises the importance of interdisciplinary teams in providing holistic care
Helderberg Hospice exemplifies the IDT model through its diverse services including: Hospice and palliative home and community-based care, which is rovided by professional palliative nursing sisters who offer home visits, supported by social workers and volunteers, ensuring patients receive quality care in the comfort of their homes
Helderberg Hospice’s home and community-based programme covers a geographical expanse of 370km² and around 310 000 people, extending from Macassar in the south to Gordon’s Bay in the north and everywhere in-between
When patients require more acute care than is possible to provide in their own homes, they are admitted to the organisation’s In-Patient Support Centre
The support centre serves as a transitional-care space with beds for up to 10 patients The facility is staffed by a team of palliative-trained nurses, enrolled nurse auxiliaries and housekeepers who provide 24-hour care, primarily serving as an intensive support for its home-care programme to prevent any acute hospitalisation
The organisations Social Work Services are offered in both its in-patient and outpatient programmes, and are geared to address the emotional and practical challenges faced by patients and families, including counselling and bereavement services, support groups and assistance with practical matters such as grant applications
Social workers also operate within an expansive-care pathway framework to ensure that, where necessary, patients are referred onwards for additional psycho-social support
And for patients in need of a little extra support Helderberg Hospice offers medical equipment loan and hire providing es-
sential medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and commodes, to support a patient on their care journey
Underpinning all clinical care is the palliative trained doctor. Throughout their care journey patients often remain in the care of their own general practitioner or specialist physician
However, the hospice’s specialist palliative trained doctor remains on hand to support the entire care team, the patient and their loved ones by providing an additional layer of clinical expertise throughout a very complicated care journey
This is particularly for those state-subsidised patients who would not otherwise have access to an inter-disciplinary team of this nature ensuring their medical needs are met within the hospice- and palliative-care framework
Helderberg Hospice is committed to community integration and support This is evident through our extensive home and community-based care programme, which accounts for 90% of all care services
By providing care directly to patients at home, hospice ensures individuals can remain in familiar surroundings with their loved ones while navigating the complexity of a life-threatening illness
Moreover the hospice’s collaboration with local organisations highlights our role in community education advocacy and support
Through training programmes and partnerships Helderberg Hospice extends its impact beyond direct patient care, fostering a community equipped to support those who face lifelimiting illnesses
To learn more about these and other programmes offered, or to enquire about hospice- and palliative-care services for yourself or a loved one, visit www.helderberghospice.org.za and follow Helderberg Hospice on social media
The clinical team (from left) Dr Mark Hosking, Sister Thandi Sililo, Sister Kitty Jordaan and Jodie Terhoven
The home-care sisters (behind from left) sisters Alice Belchem Julia Stuurman and Gabi Weichelt Seated: Angelique Botha and Kitty Jordaan
Social workers Kylie Wolhuter, Dianne Waddington and Heidi Hendricks
Be a friend of Helderberg Hospice
In every corner of the Helderberg, stories of compassion, courage and dignity unfold quietly each day, not in headlines, but in peoples homes, or the support centre where Helderberg Hospice carries out its mission
For more than 40 years the non-profit organisation has been an important support for people and their loved ones navigating the profound journey of life-limiting illness
At the heart of this service lies a simple but powerful belief that everyone deserves quality of life until the very end
This compassionate work cannot continue without the active support of the community it serves Being able to offer this care relies on the generosity of people, families, businesses and organisations throughout the Helderberg Basin Wherever you are, there are many meaningful ways you can get involved and make a difference
One of the simplest and most impactful ways to help is to become a monthly donor Every contribution, given regularly helps sustain the essential and holistic service that comprises hospice and palliative care
Your monthly donation supports people during their most vulnerable time
Volunteering has given me fulfilment, and by sharing my free time to help others my own life has been enriched immensely.” “
Joining the Helderberg Hospice Change Makers Club is not only a convenient way to make a monthly contribution, but also offers you the chance to win cash prizes at each draw To find out more, visit the website
Do you have clothes, books, furniture or household items you no longer need? Donating them to Helderberg Hospice’s charity shops is a practical and powerful way to give The shops are an important source of funding, and every item sold directly supports hospice and palliative care in our community
Should you be relocating, downsizing or spring cleaning and your donation is too large Helderberg Hospice will gladly collect from you Please call us to arrange
a collection
Helderberg Hospice thrives on the support of volunteers who donate a most precious commodity, their time They are ordinary people doing extraordinary things Whether it’s offering companionship to a patient, assisting at the thrift shop tending the garden helping at reception or assisting with fundraising events, there is a role for everyone
Joey a long-time volunteer at the shop said: “Volunteering has given me fulfilment, and by sharing my free time to help others my own life has been enriched immensely ”
It is also a way for young people to give back Students needing community service hours often find their time at Helderberg Hospice to be both educational and transformative
Throughout the year Helderberg Hospice hosts a variety of fundraising events that bring people together for a cause
Key annual events have become wellknown in the Helderberg such as the recently held High Tea, Open Gardens and the beautiful Carols by Candlelight
Added to these are a rich variety of events suited to everyone ’ s interests, such as Padel for a Cause for the sporty supporters New on the calendar is Market Day for crafters and thrifters and this year and every alternate year, Voices for Hospice, an afternoon of music, is being held Tree of Lights at the end of November gives our community a poignant opportunity to remember their loved ones Details of events can be found on the website and in social media
For those who want to make a lasting difference, including Helderberg Hospice in your will is a powerful gesture Legacy gifts ensure that others, like many families who depend on hospice and palliative care today, will be able to receive the care for generations to come
You don’t have to be wealthy to leave a legacy, just thoughtful A small percent-
age of your estate can go a long way in helping future patients receive the compassionate care they need
Local businesses and schools have become essential partners in supporting the local hospice From corporate sponsorships to school-led fundraising campaigns and collection drives, the wider Helderberg community is rallying in creative and generous ways
One local primary school raised funds through a civvies day, and some local businesses have made Helderberg Hospice their charity of choice What better time than now, in our 40th year of service to the community, to hold an event at your school business and community to raise funds for Helderberg Hospice?
Supporting Helderberg Hospice is about more than charity; it s about being part of a compassionate community that stands together during life’s most difficult times
It is a commitment to ensure that noone walks alone through illness or loss
Every donation, every hour volunteered, and every event attended adds up to a network of care that reaches far beyond the walls of any building In this shared mission, everyone has a role to play
Helderberg Hospice CEO Robert de Wet with Dylan and Lourens Kruger of Cape Honey Bee Conservancy
Volunteers Lisel Johnson and Peggy Jooste in the Hospice charity shop
Deputy principal of Oklahoma Primary School Dexter Fischer with Helderberg Hospice donor liaison officer Cheryl Rundle
An occasion radiating joy
Hospice marked its 40th anniversary with sophistication and warmth, hosting a delightful fundraising high tea at Strand Town Hall on Sunday 25 May The event, aptly titled “Ruby Affair” drew guests who were dressed to the nines, creating an atmosphere of celebration and community spirit Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with friends and strengthen family bonds while savouring teas and an array of delectable afternoon treats The event not only commemorated four decades of compassionate care in the community but also raised vital funds to support hospice’s continued mission Among the distinguished guests were several dedicated Helderberg Hospice staff members, including (from left) Cheryl Rundle, Joyce Ngcwama, Louise Smith, Karin Gordon, Sister Thandi Sililo, Leigh Wentzel, Anna Oliver, and Celestine van der Merwe, whose presence highlighted the organisation’s commitment to its caring work.
Photos: Jamey Gordon and Barend Williams
Mogamad Zayd Damon captivated the audience with “Last Dance” and “This Is My Life”, bringing impressive credentials including performances with Emo Adams and Alistair Izobel, and a full scholarship to SACS He expressed gratitude for joining the
Vocalist Amir van Rooyen delivered soulful interpretations of Never Gonna Fall in Love” and “Lady ” The 15-yearold was born with a cleft palate, but has never allowed challenges to diminish his artistic passion, which he discovered through humming at the age of two
Sister Thandi Sililo, nursing services manager at Helderberg Hospice, delivered a compelling keynote address that resonated deeply with guests She highlighted the comprehensive care services that Helderberg Hospice provides to patients and their loved ones from the community
Adams proudly hosted guests at her table as part of the elegant Helderberg Hospice Ruby Affair Pictured donning their Sunday best (behind, from left) are Varencia Booysen Katy Johannes and Zakkiyah Manuel, with Fazlin Ramjan Mischka Hendricks, Camielah Moses and Washiela Adams
Elaam
Vocalist
celebration
Candice Hering, Deirdré van der Heyde, Minerva Williams, Anthea da Silva, Claire Haupt, Judith Haupt, Cornelia Haupt, Sandy Dreyer and Jacoba de Vos embraced the celebratory spirit
Radiating joy on the milestone occasion (behind, from left) were Shauna Morris, Yolanda Jacobs,
Jackie Morris, Beverley Benjamin, Lana Roos and Grace Gordon. Seated: Ivy Seale, Valentia Roos and Brenda Cornelissen
The Ruby Affair became a heartwarming gathering of family and cherished friends for Allen and Marina Sylvester, James and Felicia Visser, Noleen Petersen, Theresa Lange, Levirn and Devlin Sylvester, and Joy and Tony Sylvester.
Busking brothers Joshua and Liam van der Heyde took to the stage enthralling the audience with their their seamless harmonies
Helderberg Hospice staffer Celestine van der Merwe celebrated the Ruby Affair milestone with her husband, Harold, whose sense of humour made him the ideal master of ceremonies for the occasion
Gracious hostess Sonia Smith (behind, third from right) created a culinary haven and warm welcome for her guests, (behind, from left) Raquel Brookes, Angela Katts, Dorothy Sinden, Therese Fry and Vernerene King Seated: Arthur Cupido, Rene Abrahams, Lynette Rhoda and Barbie Adriaanse
Guests enjoyed a spirited game of bingo, the lucky winners receiving amazing prizes, which served to enhance an already-festive mood
Helderberg
Ballroom dancing duo Ethan Jansen and Amber van Wyk glided gracefully across the dance floor with mesmerising precision, much to the delight of the crowd
