Our theme here at Sunfield Home, Howick this year has been “The Year of Opportunity”.
We have been encouraged to look for every chance we have to improve ourselves in one way or another. And of course, look for different opportunities to improve things in the Home.
To say that the years are rolling by faster than ever before is an understatement. It just does not seem possible that it has been a year since our last meeting in Hillcrest, and 3 years since we had an AGM in person, here at the Home.
It’s been an interesting year as we have completely dropped all Covid 19 restrictions in the Home and carried on with life as before Covid. However, now we must negotiate loadshedding, which has been another challenge. But we are resilient and march on regardless.
Our Matelec contract has continued right through Covid. Our residents are, therefore, hard at work keeping up with the demand, and thus far have managed very well.
We would like to thank Tim Smeaton for his continuous support and mentoring of our Green Gang in their work with the vegetable tunnel and chicken house.
Our July program went ahead as before, the residents had the most awesome time visiting the different places. Interprovincial sports opened again. Bronwyn Ramathula, Jennifer Higgins, and Hayley Bull have been chosen to swim in the special Olympic games in Limpopo in November.
But the most exciting was the re-opening of this hall after the renovations. What an amazing day that was, not only for the residents and staff, but also being able to mix with most of the parents for the first time in 3 years.
It is with many thanks to Dianne Perrett, Caitlin Botha and the Brand Candy team that we are constantly improving our website to make it fresh and attractive. With more users each month generating more enquiries for places here at Sunfield Home.
As you are aware during the 3 years of Covid we lost several residents either due to emigrating, affordability, or sadly due to the Ressie passing away. Since the last AGM we have welcomed 7 new residents into the home, however, this still leaves us with 10 empty rooms. Please share your stories with other families, as we’d all benefit from running full, and with an active waiting list.
Brandy Candy and their team have been vigorously advertising for us via the various social media platforms. Between September and October this year alone 13 enquires were received, either via email or telephonically. One new resident has already arrived, one interview is being set up, and 2 enquires look promising. Of course, each enquire is vetted by the team for affordability to ensure we don’t create future sustainability problems for Board and Management in the years to come.
I’m sure what must be on most of your minds is what about the Christmas and May Fair! As a Home, we have decided to work closely with uMngeni Tourism to work alongside the local community in the Christmas Fair that will be held over 2 days, 17/18 December, at the Mandela Capture Site. There is also discussion underway to look at joining them for an Easter Fair in 2023, off the property, instead of holding the May Fair onsite.
I know that for some of you my next comment could be disappointing but, as a management team and the Board of Directors, Covid has made us rethink many things and it has been decided that at this time and into the near future Fairs will no longer happen on Sunfield Property. We have had to take into consideration the cost of putting the Fair on and the amount of money that is raised. We will be having a Christmas Carol service for the residents at a date that will be sent to you.
As with a change of leadership in the United Kingdom, and the Commonwealth with the death of Queen Elizabeth II, so Sunfield has gone through a change of leadership with the departure of PJ Combrinck. For me personally, I would like to publicly thank him for the time I spent with him, in various forums, fand or his calm voice of reason and steady leadership of the Home.
We welcome Rosemary Fraser as our new Chairlady and wish her much success. We also welcome Dianne Perrett who’s input into Sunfield is invaluable. And, of course, are grateful for the re-election of John Ade and David Worrall.
A word of thanks to Mrs. Worrall for her outstanding work in the gardens and also a thank you to John Ade for keeping us all in check in these difficult times.
2023 is on our doorstep and we look forward to the next year with excitement and anticipation.
From all of us at Sunfield Home, Howick, I’d like to wish you all a blessed Christmas with family and friends, and a prosperous and safe 2023.