Heideveld home for intellectually disabled women gets a facelift

In the heart of Heideveld sits an ultra-modern white house. It is home to eight women with intellectual disabilities.

Operated by Cape Mental Health, the home, named Garden Cottage, is a home-away-from-home for these women, and where they live full-time. Their disabilities range from mild to moderate.

They shared the three-bedroom house, occupying two of its tiny rooms on bunk beds before Cape Mental Health took action to improve the state and proportions of the house.

The renovations, however, were stalled by the Covid-19 pandemic but proceeded in earnest in February last year. At the time, the women had either gone home to their families under the supervision of social workers or to a rented home in Grassy Park.

Social work manager Tamaryn Angel said the funding was raised by the Cape Mental Health and donors.

“This is a home-from-home and we try to make it as homely as possible. It provides security, structure and routine. They have responsibilities just as anyone would have their home.”

The women range in age from 37 to 61, with one resident having lived at the Cottage for around 30 years.

Dr Ingrid Daniels, chief executive officer of Cape Mental Health, said this has set the standard in breaking the association of institutionalisation.

“What institutions have done has been to isolate and exclude the right to live independently, the right to live in the community,” she said. “These also strip away the dignity of people with intellectual disabilities, under the guise of care.

The home also has improved security features.

The home is furnished with modern and luxurious finishes.

Renovations meant that room sharing was reduced from four to two per room.

“This beautiful home changes that narrative. And this is in opposition to that narrative of institutionalisation. This is a real home, with wonderful women.”

The image of these women needing to climb bunk beds in a tiny bedroom, was the memory of the tiny Garden Cottage, said Daniels, something that needed to change, despite the women never complaining. “This home has restored their dignity,” she said.

The new five-bedroom house keeps the women in twin rooms. Everything from the ceilings to the floors has been renovated. Expansion included the addition of disabled-friendly bathrooms, a bigger lounge and dining area, and ample space for the women.

The home was officially relaunched on Wednesday 27 March, allowing guests to celebrate the new design.

The relaunch included a tour of the property, guided by the proud residents.

Exposed beams, modern lighting, velvet furniture, tiles and flooring, open-plan living, a brand-new kitchen and sleek black windows and doors mean the home is magazine-cover ready, Daniels joked.

After months apart the women were reunited in September when they moved back to the facility. Having blindfolded them, the reveal was all the more amazing to behold, unable as they were to recognise the home as theirs.

Chantel, one of the residents, said the home was more comfortable and she enjoyed cleaning it and helping the house mother with tasks.

Another resident Genevieve, said she was shocked to see the renovated house.

“I am proud and excited,” she said. “It is so much better. It is nice. I like living here.”

The residents work at The Training Workshops Unlimited in Athlone and create a variety of goods that are sold at retail outlets.

Genevieve works in the kitchen and enjoys it.

Another resident, Diane, thanked the guests for the day. With a tear in her eye, she thanked everyone for their assistance and, especially their house mother, for the care and love she had for them.

“This is our home,” she said proudly.

Rose Vorster (88), a resident of Athlone, attended the launch. She has a special relationship with The Training Workshops.

Having had a son with intellectual disabilities, she treats the women to outings and gifts around Christmas. She said although her son died she had an ongoing and long-standing relationship with the organisation and gives back to them continuously with the help of her daughter.

The renovation was made possible through aid, assistance and donations from The Villager Aid Trust, Nina and Henry Septoe, Inner Wheel Club of Claremont, Rotary Club of Claremont, Western Cape Department of Social Development, Dandelion Trust, Rose Vorster and friends, Courtney Thorne-Roots, David Graaff Foundation, Crankhandle Club and The Clothing Guild.