Sandringham Gardens, Jewish Aged Home, Johannesburg

B"H
SANDRINGHAM LODGE

MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY

A PROJECT OF THE JOHANNESBURG CHEVRAH KADISHA

Sandringham Lodge was established in November 2002 after extensive research revealed that there was a need for suitable facilities for Jewish mentally ill people in the Johannesburg area.

The Lodge is a residential facility, situated on the beautiful and secure grounds of Sandringham Gardens, and caters for up to 35 chronic mentally ill people.

It is also possible for people to become day residents, participating in the daily programme and then returning home at the end of the day.

There is no hint of institutionalisation at the Lodge, which is designed to provide a comfortable "Home from Home" in surroundings that are homely and entirely non-threatening.

Three nutritious kosher meals are provided daily and the atmosphere is conducive to Jewish life with special meals being served on Shabbat and yomtov. The TV lounge, games room, and tranquil gardens offer time and freedom for socialisation and relaxation, while proximity to many synagogues in the area makes it possible for residents to interact with the community should they wish to do.

The daily programme is structured and productive and the Psycho-social Rehabilitation Programme includes:

Life skills, during which personal hygiene, housekeeping, motivation, responsibility, self-esteem, grooming, etc. are discussed.
The work programme ­ every person who is able to work is provided with employment, either:
o in the World of Work project which provides employment within the Chevrah Kadisha Group for those who are unable to cope in the open job market, or
o In the Kadimah Occupational Centre which offers sheltered employment for psychiatrically ill people

Occupational Therapy programmes focus on fine and gross motor coordination, concentration and memory skills as well as socialisation skills. Woodwork, beadwork, tapestry, fabric painting, glass-painting, memory games and word searches are amongst the activities.
Cooperation groups aim to de-stigmatise and educate the residents about mental illness and to teach appropriate social and occupational skills
Conflict resolution groups highlight behaviour and stress management
Family support groups help the families of mentally ill people to understand and cope with mental illness. This, in turn, assists the residents who benefit from deeper understanding of their conditions.

NEEDS:

The Lodge is already almost full with 34 residents. Added space would be very valuable. This would naturally include the need for
additional bathroom amenities
more cupboard space
extended recreational facilities
additional staff