Celebrating a decade of care

A home for adults with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour celebrated its 10th anniversary at Rondebosch Golf Club on Tuesday May 27.

- LIZAHN BOWERS

The residential home, based in Maitland, provides round-the-clock care to 32 adults with intellectual disabilities, providing them with the support needed to avoid hospitalisation and to ensure skills development and community integration.

Open Circle started as a pilot project, in partnership with the Department of Health, Social Development and Public Works in 2015. After registering as an NPO and lobbying the government for support, a joint decision was taken to renovate and open a 30-bed supported living facility on the grounds of Alexandra Hospital in the old nurses' home, said administrator Helita Mankahla, who has worked at the home since it opened.

On Tuesday, the home celebrated its anniversary with government partners, donors as well as volunteers, friends and other stakeholders who formed part of their community over the past 10 years.