The recreation centre at Ron Smith Care Centre (RSCC) was alive with joy and activity on Tuesday, July 16, as preparations for Mandela Day got underway. RSCC residents and staff were joined by a group of clients from SANCA Wedge Gardens for a special morning of baking chocolate chip cookies together.
The atmosphere was filled with laughter and warmth as the baking began. Our visitors eagerly mixed and divided the dough, and soon everyone was rolling it into little balls ready for the oven. Once the cookies were baked, tea and coffee were served, and everyone enjoyed a comforting cup alongside their freshly baked treat.
“It was a morning of shared purpose and connection, with new friendships forming in a short space of time. There was a beautiful sense that everyone had come to give, yet each person left feeling blessed in return,” says Ulricka Beukman, the manager of RSCC.
The spirit of giving continued into the afternoon, as residents and staff of RSCC gathered again to pack the baked goodies and prepare the ‘Worry Worms’ – small, crocheted tokens of care made throughout the month.
These thoughtful gifts were lovingly packaged and delivered on Mandela Day by the RSCC recreation team, accompanied by Ulricka, RSCC nursing services manager Leanie Bessinger, and social worker Nadine Radford.
The team enjoyed tea or coffee with the staff at Wedge Gardens, and each staff member received a chocolate chip cookie, along with a worry worm. It was a much-needed break filled with meaningful conversation.
Adèl Grobbelaar, the Wedge Gardens manager, expressed heartfelt thanks to RSCC for remembering the staff. She mentioned that the focus of Mandela Day is often on the clients, while the staff are forgotten.
“This Mandela Day was a reminder that healthcare workers can easily become emotionally exhausted and continue giving until they reach burnout. This visit served as an important reminder to care not only for others but also for ourselves and the dedicated staff around us,” says Simoné Botha, RSCC’s manager of OT and recreation.
Karabo Makgopela (RSCC staff member) with Rebecca Nkabi (Wedge Gardens staff member).
Sanele Ndlovu (RSCC recreation team member) with Caryn Berman (Wedge Gardens occupational therapist).
RSCC and Wedge Gardens staff members.
