Open Day – New Horizons Clinic

The New Horisons Clinic Open Day was held on the 20th October 2017, which focused on interfacing support services and the community through personal contact.

The day kicked off at 8am as coordinators arranged their stalls. Thanks to Raynol from the municipality who willingly borrowed the tables and chairs, which were delivered after hours in time for the event.

Each attending member from the community received a lunch ticket with numbers on the card, that were to be signed by the stallholders. To receive a free lunch, visits to the stalls were essential, late comers that arrived after 11am did not qualify.

All the groups were well-prepared and the community had a chance to meet the different representatives face to face to ask questions and share information.

A lucky draw was arranged and contributed by Sr Samuel of Life-Line and Link Pharmacy.

The highlight of the day was the wonderfully-prepared lunch supplied by South Cape College Chef school. Zahida Spies from South Cape College contacted the principal, which resulted in 140 delicious warm meals. Doris and Toekie from the New Horizons Care Group donated the food and transported it to the South Cape College. The donation of polystyrene food containers by Masons was very much appreciated.

The following stalls and subjects were represented:

New Horizons Care Group:

Deliver once a week a warm meal to the sick, bedridden, handicapped, needy elderly and others struggling to survive
First contact to help when clinic has an emergency for the needy.

Environmental Health:

Water quality monitoring
Food control
Surveillance and prevention of communicable diseases
Environmental pollution control, waste management (Illegal dumping)

SAPS:

W/O James introduced himself to the community. A banner displayed the contact details of the SAPS

YCPD:

Members of the community were informed how this section of the police support the community in youth crime prevention

Social Services:

The different services the community can expect from the social worker were explained

Dietitian:

Discussed the importance of good feeding practice supporting the body. One of the vital aspects of the first 1000 days of a baby’s life is feeding; this will have an important impact in the future

Hospice:

The scope of Hospice’s practice and support to the community were explained and blood pressure check done

CAB:

The CAB support families with members coming back from rehabilitation of substance abuse and support those who need help to be referred

Community Health Workers/Lifeline:

They brought the message to comply with medicine intake, to visit the clinic on time and services rendered by them

Hope Clinic:

Message of hope to the community, reaching out a hand of counselling and support women to make informed decisions

Arts & Crafts:

Do you know how to knit? Join the group and start knitting

Creative work for the little ones:

The little ones were kept busy and at the same time the parents could observe some ideas to use at home

SASSA:

SASSA arrived late in the morning, therefore attendance of the stall less than the average. The services rendered were explained

Staff infection control handwash:

Handwash demonstrations were given to individuals

Staff Pamphlets info:

Several pamphlets on subjects of health were distributed

Staff WH & Mens Health:

Information given on importance of PAP smear and what kind of health problems can develop with men

There were a total of 1217 visits to the stalls, 80 people attended. The helping hands of so many people who contributed to this day was very much rewarding and appreciated.

This was a great opportunity for Members of the various support groups to meet the community and for them to learn from each other.