Newcastle’s Association for the Physically Challenged faces closure – 27 livelihoods at risk
Severe financial constraints are threatening the Newcastle branch of the Association for the Physically Challenged (Nil Desperandum) with closure that could leave the 27 residents with nowhere to go.
APC Provincial Director Brett Cubitt said the Department of Social Development subsidy covers only 37% of the cost per resident.
The shortfall has to be made up by the branch.
“We have only been given one grant increase in the past eight years, despite the cost of living going up every year,” Cubitt said.
The home is currently running at a monthly deficit of more than R80,000.
“The Provincial Office of APC, based in Durban, is currently trying to assist the home financially by drawing into investments. These investments were due to prudent financial management of bequests and legacies over the past 80 years, but these investments are being rapidly depleted, placing the sustainability of the Newcastle branch and its future,” he said.
Brett said to remain operational the branch needs assistance from the public and the business sector. Brett explained that the association receives R164 436 a month, of which only R94 566 is the government grant.
The remaining R69,780 needed to be sourced elsewhere. However, with monthly expenses amounting to R253 722, the R89 286 deficit is putting a huge strain on the branch.
“As a registered non-profit organisation and PBO, we can issue an 18A certificate for donations which are tax deductible by the donors. In addition, the donation also goes towards the BBBEE scorecard of the donors,” he said.
Brett added that the assistance needed was not only limited to financial help.
Adult nappies, medicines, toiletries, food and other necessities, which account for a large portion of the monthly expenses, can also be donated to offset these costs.
The following financial breakdown was provided to show the monthly cost of these items, which could be significantly reduced with assistance from the public:
- Cleaning products: R4876
- Gloves and facemasks: R1350
- Medicines (e.g., bandages, vitamins, over-the-counter meds): R4785
- Groceries (food): R19683
- Courier costs: R2058
- Water and lights bill: R23104
- Adult nappies: R7430
- Toiletries: R1762.
These items alone total R65,047, which, with public intervention, can go a long way in helping the association keep its doors open.
One proposed strategy is the idea of annuity-type funding, meaning that, if 100 people each pledged R500 a month, this would be a guaranteed R50,000 a month, which would go a long way in bringing down the monthly shortfall.
“Although just an example, this proves the power of community funding, which has proven to be successful in other organisations. If you cannot assist financially, help by spreading the word within your community, business sector and even with family and friends living abroad.”
Cubitt explained that the home offers the following services to its 27 residents: 29,565 meals per year, 24/7 care by 22 staff members which included 15 carers, 1 driver, 1 registered nurse, 3 safety/security officers, 1 social worker and 1 administrator.
They are also provided with transport to and from the clinic or hospital, rehabilitation, a workshop facility and assistive devices, all of which accumulate high costs.
Cubitt warned that without the urgent assistance of the local community, the association will not survive, and APC will have no other choice than to close its doors, despite being in existence since 1993.
“When the home was started, the financial model for the home was based on sufficient subsidy from the government to cover the majority percentage of the costs. But because we have not received an increase (in the subsidy) in eight years, inflation has taken its toll with expenses overtaking income, leaving the home in a dire situation, which can only be saved with the help of the community,” he concluded.
The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area.
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