It has already been three months since our last newsletter, and much has happened. We have weathered the Omicron epidemic that swept through our land around Christmas time. The higher lockdown levels were particularly hard for residents, but the easing of Covid restrictions allowed them to visit with their families over the festive period and helped them feel more upbeat again. They are also enjoying simple pleasures like doing their shopping (accompanied) once more.
2010 – 2021 North Bay Lodge General Manager
Gloria Fidalgo
2021 has been a year of many challenges but also one of change for us. Gloria Fidalgo – the great Dame of North Bay Lodge has retired after an illustrious career of serving the Disability sector with dedication and passion for 30 years! She has made immeasurable contribution to many of our residents lives and countless others since starting her career with DCMH in 1996. Gloria has been instrumental in the start and managing of North Bay Lodge since its inception in 2010. She is highly respected and recognized by all. We record our sincere gratitude and salute Gloria for her many years of contribution to North Bay Lodge and its residents.
Gloria will work part time, a few hours a week for the next few months helping with residents activities and certain tasks. She will thereafter enjoy a much deserved rest and precious moments with her family. We look forward to being together soon to formally bade farewell to a North Bay Lodge legend.
2022 – Newly appointed General Manager
Sharmaine Singh
Sharmaine joined the NBL team in July 2021 in a temporary capacity as administrator/ co-ordinator. Prior to joining us, she held senior management positions in large corporates , the last being in the Car Rental industry and then ran her own business for a few years. Sharmaine has many years experience in operations, managing large teams, marketing and financial management. Her passion for the vulnerable began many years ago when she was appointed the PRO for the Natal Blind and Deaf Society in Durban Central.
Sharmaine is committed to making a difference to the North Bay Lodge community. We welcome Sharmaine to the NBL family and wish her all the best in this new role.
Nurse Appointment
We take this opportunity to thank Sr Val Venter for her contribution to North Bay Lodge during 2020 and 2021. We are grateful for the professional assistance rendered throughout and supporting NBL through our Covid19 outbreak in July 2021.
2022 – Newly appointed Consulting Nurse
Sr Wendy Robinson
Sr Wendy joined our team as Primary Health Care nurse in November 2021. She is a highly qualified psychiatric nurse with over 35 years experience under her lapels. Sr Wendy has worked at many old age and psychiatric facilities during her career which skill set will augur well for NBL
She is currently in private practice and consults at NBL three days a week. We are already seeing the benefits she can bring to the NBL facility. We welcome Sr Wendy to the family.
North Bay Lodge Christmas Party 
Residents & Carers
There was much excitement to the build up of the Annual Christmas party. Residents were in high spirits and expectant of an exciting party. It started with a beautiful large Christmas tree donated by Darell Worthington for our reception area.
Our initial plans included festivities with all residents and Grantors. However, Omicron hit two weeks earlier and we had to restrict the event to residents and Party Committee members only. From photographs below, it was evident everyone (including Santa’s helpers had a ball).
A big THANK YOU to the Christmas party Committee Members: Griselle Lawrence, Lalitha Kisten, Darell Worthington, Danielle Torino, Mary-Anne Gouws & NBL Staff for the planning, executing and managing of the event superbly.
North Bay Lodge also records its heartfelt THANK YOU to Grantors who responded positively to our call for sponsorships, décor and goodies for the event. A big Thank you to our loyal sponsors Nirus Foods and band Perfect Harmony, not forgetting Griselle Lawrence for loaning her designer Christmas décor items . All your contributions helped us deliver a wonderful Christmas cheer to our residents .
Our Christmas party also allowed us the opportunity to treat our Carers to a festive treat. We take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to all our Care Staff from PCC and Private Carers for their dedication and care for our residents all year round and handling the Covid19 outbreak challenges in the residence so admirably.
The Residents didn’t need much coaxing to particpate. They bopped and sang along to the tunes they knew.
The Residents were super thrilled to see the theatric entrance of our Santa Claus carrying a sack laden with gifts on his shoulder as he rode his Harley Davidson onto the grounds. Thank you Mark Lawrence for being such a great sport and for the wonderful cheer you brought on the day. Santa and his “helpers” can be seen below.
Covid & Vaccines
North Bay Lodge staff Gloria Fidalgo & Sharmaine Singh, 1 carer & 1 resident tested positive with the Omicron virus shortly after the Christmas party. Fortunately there was no spread and all infected persons recovered well.
Booster Jabs
Our residents are scheduled to receive their Booster injections on 15 March 2022 at North Bay Lodge.
Our Carers are fully vaccinated except for 2 who await their booster vaccines.
DCMH Workshop
The Durban & Coastal Mental Health Challenge Workshop, located next door to NBL, re-opened in February. Kiran, our social worker, arranged for our residents to return on March 22nd, 2022.
The DCMH supervisor will allow our residents to work as an independent group, housed separately. Initially, our residents will work on alternate weeks, which will progress to daily. So far, 11 residents have indicated interest in attending this workshop. They are looking forward to doing something different after the long lockdown period.
Residents Valentines Party
We know one thing for sure: our residents love a good party, good music, and dancing! Fun was had by all. The management team was all hands on board, even joining in as partners to the boisterous dancers!
Thank you, Sister Wendy, for sponsoring the cakes and party décor (in loving memory of your son).
Resident Activities
There is focus on getting our residents active again and maintaining this as a standard. Residents are currently engaged in activities as follows:
- Walks: Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays.
- Swimming: Mondays (Thank you to Mark & Griselle for sponsoring swimming noodles & swimming coaching).
- Yoga: Every Tuesday & Thursday morning.
- Church: Every Monday afternoon.
- Craft Saturday: Last Saturday each month (card making etc.)
- Shopping: Twice a month. (accompanied to local supermarket).
- Games: Seek the Treasure seeking game, every Friday.
** Reach Out to Grantors & Families
We welcome:
1) Suggestions for residents activities – crafts & sports.
2) Volunteers with skills to run scheduled activity programmes.
3) Sponsorship of sports equipment, outdoor metal gym equipment, nets etc.
North Bay Lodge Caterers
We were sad to see our contracted caterers Nirus Food close her business (Covid casualty) and relocate to Joburg 1st week Jan 2022. Niru consistently delivered high standard, good quality & good value hot meals to NBL for almost 2 years. Niru has introduced us to a great catering company in her absence. They have maintained the standard and price in the interim.
There is an exciting initiative in the pipeline where we envisage having the kitchen fully outsourced to serve hot meals to our residents from our own kitchen.
We will share more about these plans in our next Newsletter.
Notes:
- Please check your loved one has their basic needs for the month i.e. toiletries, snacks, underwear, pjs, sheets etc.
- Deposit pocket money in specific Pocket Money Acc:
Absa – Current
Acc No: 4102802059
Index deposit with resident’s name - NBL Supervisor WhatsApp No – 071 4512475
Please only use this number to make contact after hours should you wish to contact the staff about your loved one.
NBL TREASURER
Joff Wickens , recently co-opted onto NBL Council, has been appointed Treasurer Sept 2021.
Joff has many years experience in a similar type of facility. We welcome Joff to the NBL family and look forward to his contribution.
Thank you to each of you who contributed to North Bay in whatever way or form. We appreciate you!
A humble thank you for the well wishes and words of faith spoken in my direction on my appointment. I am both grateful and humbled by this opportunity to serve. I will continue to build on the strong foundation that has been laid.
Whilst I learn and grow in this role, I offer my expertise and commitment, sleeves rolled, confident of making a tangible difference. The residents remain at the centre of all we do.
Best Wishes, Sharmaine”
