This topic was discussed during the latter part of the Shareshop on 11 September 2024. The conversation may continue at the next Scaffold session or not, dependent on members.
Some estates employ a Wellbeing Coordinator as a full time person (sometimes a qualified social worker).
Pastoral visits and social worker visits are found to be essential elements in some estates.
It is known that there are some people who prefer being in prison rather than the isolation and lack of social structure in some parts of society that they may come from.
We must recognise that there are some people who are shy and do not easily get involved in social activities. These people need assistance with integration.
Do we do enough regarding the mental and emotional wellbeing of our staff?
Are our careworkers properly trained to recognise and address or refer vulnerable residents who may suffer from chronic isolation, depression and/or loneliness? See this post in the Q&A Forum from Huis Herfsblaar:
How can we get careworkers to understand the needs of residents, given the vast cultural and other differences?
A reminder was given regarding the Greenlight Movement and the benefits thereof as reported by MacCare https://www.greenlightmovement.org.za/
We were encouraged to link people to each other within the estate, so that there is at least one person to rely on and gain encouragement from.
