Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital CEO, Carol Dean, was the guest speaker at the Friends of Valkenberg Trust AGM on Wednesday August 2.
Ms Dean highlighted the enormous value of partnerships between government bodies and NGOs and demonstrated the value that the partnership between Valkenberg Hospital and the Friends of Valkenberg has ahad both on the recovery of the patients at the Hospital and
the morale of the staff at the Hospital.
Also on the podium were a number of the stakeholders and beneficiaries of the work of
the Friends. Service users shared their stories of recovery and thanked the Friends for being there to support them on their journey.
When asked what impact the Friends services had on his life, one man explained: “Ek voel soos ’* mens” (I feel like a person), “Ek voel beter in myself” (I feel better in myself).
Volunteer Jess Hewson said it was challenging to have to be admitted to an institution for treatment and that she was “humbled by people’s bravery and courage” as she worked with them in her weekly recovery group in one of the wards.
Sister Lindiwe Marepula commended the volunteers, explaining that they “add value by running programmes where patients can unwind; build their confidence and boost their self-worth”.
The event was held in the refurbished Art Deco hall in the historical core of the hospital.
Sandra Matthew is the director of Friends of Valkenberg Trust.
