Donna Van Der Watt and a group of incredible humans worked to give the Port Elizabeth Psychiatric Clinic a makeover, turning the dilapidated building into a place filled with hope.
Port Elizabeth, South Africa (03 March 2020) – A group of people came together to makeover the psychiatric clinic at the Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital. Peeling paint, nowhere to sit and bare walls didn’t add to the mood of the patients seeking specialised care.
The group of volunteers and donors turned the glum space into a space of comfort and hope. By including books, plants and motivational posters, the place looked good as new! When patients walked in, they couldn’t contain their joy and smiles at the makeover.
To start the group placed benches and wooden stumps outdoors so those waiting for the clinic to open, have somewhere to sit. In the past, they would stand while waiting.
Inside the waiting room, plants, books and magazines were added to give patients something to do while they wait for their sessions.
“Inside they were blown away by all the succulent plants in planter boxes, donated by Alicia and Russell. There was also a bunch motivational posters on all the walls.
I also added a small round table to the main room for magazines and plants.
In the pharmacy room, we included a bookshelf filled with magazines and books. There’s also a games table in the corner for puzzles, chess, cards etc. There’s also a clean water dispenser along with mugs, cups, saucers, plates, glasses and paper cups etc
Lots and lots of toilet paper, tea, coffee, sugar, drink-o-pop, mix-a-drink etc.
Then we got DIVINE food donated: sandwiches, soup, bread, muffins, koeksisters, sweets and chips and twinkie-type things.
We also organised a fridge, micro, toaster and kettles!” – Donna Van Der Watt
The volunteers even made a kids corner where children can play while they wait. The whole environment feels more inviting and less clinical!
“We’ve created a kiddies corner for all the little ones to have fun while they wait… And it literally has everything fun and exciting for the little ones!”
Take a look at the before and after images below.
Before
After
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