Pumelele Vabaza

Friends of Valkenberg Trust

The Friends of Valkenberg Trust collaborates with staff at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital to promote the recovery of people with serious mental illnesses. This vital work means people can get back to their lives - their families, their jobs and their communities, better equipped to continue their recovery journey. Friends gets people back on their feet by partnering with the Hospital to offer complementary services and activities which target each aspect of the recovery process, whether it be enhancing independent living skills, building vital self-esteem, improving physical activity, offering work skills or providing the practical support to make this all possible. Since 1994 Friends has been based on the Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital hospital premises, successfully delivering an immediate and sensitive service to patients and staff. This not only meets basic needs, but assists in restoring patients' self-esteem and an easier return to the community. People with mental disabilities are able to recover from severe and persistent mental illness and live satisfying lives. However, they do need support and Friends needs people to partner with us to give patients the help they need to get back on their feet. Through its 60+ volunteers, the Friends works in conjunction with hospital staff to provide a range of services designed to bring hope and comfort to patients during their stay at Valkenberg; meeting needs and helping patients along the road to recovery. At the same time we create awareness of Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital and its work and aim to pro-actively eliminate the stigma that is still associated with mental illness.