Independent
Living Services
And Support

We ensure that our residents have a safe and comfortable place to call home. We provide complete accommodation, allowing them to live within a supportive community that embraces their uniqueness.

On average, a unit houses 14 residents, with four double and six single rooms. One house parent per shift cares for the residents, except for two units with more carers and night staff.

We have two female units, four male units and one mixed-gender unit.

Some residents have cell phones, laptops, or DVD players, for which the Centre cannot take responsibility. We control the use of these items.

Residents are not allowed to have pets at the Centre.

They receive three nutritious meals daily, catering to their dietary needs and ensuring their well-being. We cater for those with medical conditions requiring special diets, such as diabetics and those with allergies. We chat with families for a contribution towards extra costs incurred.

After supper, residents have free time. There are televisions in the two communal main lounges where residents can socialise.

Empowerment lies at the heart of our mission. We offer workshops that provide valuable skills training to our residents, helping them discover their potential and enhance their abilities. Through these workshops, they gain confidence, independence, and a sense of accomplishment.

Bakery – residents assist with various tasks within the bakery:

• mixing
• weighing
• rolling
• decorating
• packaging
• labelling of produce

Home Industry Kitchen – residents assist with:

• cleaning bottles
• grating
• chopping
• mixing
• packaging
• labelling of produce

Handcrafts – the workshops offer a variety of handcraft work:

• spinning
• weaving
• embroidery
• pottery
• mat making
• knitting
• loom knitting
• crocheting
• leatherwork

Vegetable farming – Some residents love assisting on the grounds and vegetable tunnels.

All residents assist in keeping their units tidy.

At Lake Farm Centre, residents are active participants in daily life. They are encouraged to assist in various areas, such as the kitchen, gardens, and our charity shop. These activities allow them to contribute meaningfully, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.

We believe exercise is essential to remain physically healthy. For recreational activities, in summer, residents can swim in the pool, play soccer on the soccer field, softball, and play cricket. There are a few runners and walkers among the residents.

All residents celebrate birthdays, and these are either celebrated as a dance or a DVD evening.

Staff also organise various dances throughout the year, e.g., Valentine’s Dance, Spring Dance, and Old Years Dance, usually in the evenings.

Finding a reason for a dance at the Centre is not difficult. 😉

Lake Farm Centre applies Christian principles. The residents love starting their days with singing and scripture and ending the day in their units with prayer. We don’t force any religion on a resident if the resident chooses not to participate in any activities.

We arrange church services some Sundays at the Centre and use the services of various denominations.

We create a holistic and enriching experience for our residents. Our compassionate approach ensures they thrive, feel valued, and lead fulfilling lives in our caring community.

Visitors must arrange with the office during office hours or with the house parent when they want to visit the resident. Residents can receive visitors ideally over weekends in the mornings and after rest in the afternoons.

The Centre has four holidays during the year, somewhat coinciding with school holidays, and one out weekend per term, when residents can visit family.

The Centre does not close during the year. However, staff takes the opportunity to go on leave during holidays when there are fewer residents.

During holiday periods, there are fewer residents and staff. The staff arrange special meals and outings such as taking them to the beach, the museum, picnics, etc. The public (churches, clubs, individuals) often arrange to spoil the residents, spending time with them, doing a braai or entertaining them, for example by playing music.