By Lone Lourens | Marketing and Fundraising Manager
Over the past four months, Woodside Sanctuary has continued to provide compassionate, specialised residential care to children and adults living with profound intellectual and physical disabilities while making significant strides towards a more sustainable future. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have not only maintained the high standard of care our residents deserve but have also invested in projects that will strengthen Woodside's long-term sustainability and reduce operating costs for years to come.
Today, Woodside is home to 89 permanent residents, each receiving 24-hour nursing care, nutritious meals, therapeutic programmes and a safe, loving environment where they are treated with dignity and respect. Every day, our dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure that each resident can enjoy the highest possible quality of life, regardless of the complexity of their disabilities.
Among those in our care are 24 Grace Residents—individuals who have no family support and no financial means to contribute towards the cost of their care. During this reporting period, two additional residents joined the Grace Programme after their families were no longer able to provide financial assistance, highlighting the growing need for charitable support. While these residents contribute nothing towards their care, they receive the same love, dignity and specialised support as every other resident at Woodside.
As demand for our services continues to grow, so too does our commitment to finding sustainable solutions that allow donor contributions to have the greatest possible impact. Throughout this reporting period, we have continued investing in infrastructure, strengthening community partnerships and improving operational efficiency so that more of every donated rand can be directed towards resident care.
Caring Beyond Basic Needs
Providing a safe home is only the beginning. Every resident at Woodside receives holistic, person-centred care designed to promote comfort, independence and emotional wellbeing.
Our multidisciplinary team provides around-the-clock nursing care alongside physiotherapy, occupational therapy, stimulation therapy, music and movement activities, educational support and recreational programmes tailored to each resident's individual needs and abilities. Residents also enjoy nutritious home-style meals prepared daily, opportunities to celebrate birthdays and special occasions, and meaningful activities that encourage social interaction and personal development.
Families remain an important part of each resident's journey, and our team continues to work closely with relatives and caregivers to ensure residents receive the highest standard of support in an environment where they feel valued, respected and loved.
While every day presents new challenges, it is these everyday moments—sharing a meal, celebrating an achievement, enjoying music or simply spending time together—that create the sense of family that makes Woodside such a special place.
Investing in a Sustainable Future
One of the most significant milestones during this reporting period has been the continued progress of Woodside's long-term sustainability initiatives.
Following the successful completion of Phase One of our Solar Project, Woodside is already benefiting from reduced reliance on the national electricity grid and improved energy security. The project has laid the foundation for significant long-term savings that will allow more of our financial resources to be directed towards resident care rather than rising utility costs.
We are also delighted to share that additional funding has been secured towards the next phase of the Solar Project, bringing us one step closer to completing our vision of a fully integrated renewable energy solution that will protect Woodside against future electricity disruptions while substantially reducing operating expenses.
Alongside our solar initiative, we have also secured funding for a comprehensive Borehole Upgrade Project. Once completed, this project will significantly strengthen Woodside's water security by improving the reliability and efficiency of our existing borehole system. Together, these sustainability projects represent an investment not only in our facilities, but in the long-term wellbeing of every resident who calls Woodside home.
Community Partnerships Creating Lasting Impact
Woodside Sanctuary continues to be strengthened by the generosity of individuals, businesses and community organisations who give not only financial support but also their time, skills and compassion.
Throughout this reporting period, we welcomed numerous volunteer groups who helped improve our facilities, spend meaningful time with our residents and remind them that they are valued members of the wider community. Whether assisting with maintenance projects, participating in recreational activities or simply sharing conversations and laughter with our residents, every volunteer helped create moments of joy and belonging.
A particular highlight was Deloitte's Volunteer Day, during which employees dedicated their time and energy to enhancing our facilities while engaging with residents. Their enthusiasm and willingness to serve left a lasting impression on everyone at Woodside.
Nelson Mandela Day once again demonstrated the incredible generosity of our community. Individuals, schools, and corporate partners embraced the spirit of service by donating food, toiletries, clothing and essential supplies, while many spent time with our residents through activities, entertainment and shared meals. These visits provide far more than practical support—they create meaningful human connections that enrich the lives of our residents and remind them that they are surrounded by a caring community.
Every partnership, regardless of its size, contributes towards creating an environment where our residents feel seen, celebrated and included.
Growing Sustainable Support
Creating long-term financial sustainability remains one of Woodside's highest priorities.
Our 500 Club continues to grow steadily, providing an increasingly reliable source of unrestricted monthly income that allows us to respond to our residents' greatest needs. During this reporting period, membership increased to more than 300 tickets that are currently valid for the draw, each helping to provide consistent funding for essential care and daily operations.
While every new member represents another step towards financial sustainability, our long-term vision remains to grow the 500 Club into a much larger community of regular monthly donors. Predictable monthly income allows Woodside to plan confidently, respond to unexpected challenges and ensure uninterrupted care for every resident.
We are equally excited by the continued development of our new website, which is being professionally redesigned to better share our residents' stories, showcase the impact of donor support and make online giving more accessible. The new website will offer improved functionality, simpler donation options and greater opportunities for supporters to engage with Woodside's work.
By strengthening both our digital presence and our recurring donor base, we are building a more resilient organisation that is less dependent on once-off fundraising efforts and better equipped to provide lifelong care for some of society's most vulnerable individuals.
Excellence in Care and Governance
While fundraising and sustainability projects are essential to Woodside's future, our greatest priority remains delivering exceptional care to every resident entrusted to us.
During this reporting period, Woodside successfully completed its Department of Health inspections, once again demonstrating our commitment to maintaining high standards of clinical care, governance and regulatory compliance. These outcomes reflect the dedication and professionalism of our nursing, care and management teams, who work tirelessly to ensure that every resident receives safe, compassionate and person-centred support.
Behind every successful inspection are countless acts of care carried out every day—administering medication, preparing nutritious meals, providing therapy, assisting with daily living activities and creating opportunities for residents to learn, socialise and enjoy meaningful experiences. It is this unwavering commitment that enables Woodside to remain a trusted provider of specialised residential care.
Looking Ahead
As we look towards the future, our focus remains clear: providing exceptional lifelong care for our residents while building a financially and environmentally sustainable organisation that can continue serving generations to come.
Our immediate priorities include progressing the next phases of our Solar Project, implementing the Borehole Upgrade Project, expanding our Grace Resident Programme to support those with no financial means, growing our community of monthly donors through the 500 Club, and other support programmes like Woolworth’s MyDifference and launching our new website to strengthen engagement with supporters around the world.
Every one of these initiatives has a single purpose—to ensure that more resources can be directed towards what matters most: providing the highest quality of care and creating opportunities for our residents to live fulfilling lives in a safe, loving environment.
While the challenges facing the non-profit sector continue to grow, we remain optimistic. The kindness, generosity and commitment shown by our supporters have demonstrated that, together, we can continue to overcome obstacles and create lasting change.
Thank You
None of the progress described in this report would have been possible without the generosity of supporters like you.
Your contributions have helped provide specialised nursing care, nutritious meals, therapeutic programmes and a safe, nurturing home for 89 children and adults living with profound intellectual and physical disabilities. Your support has also enabled us to invest in projects that will strengthen Woodside's long-term sustainability, ensuring that donor funds continue to have an even greater impact in the years ahead.
Whether you have contributed financially, volunteered your time, shared our story or encouraged others to support our work, you have become part of the Woodside family. Every act of kindness helps create opportunities, restores hope and reminds our residents that they are valued, loved and never forgotten.
On behalf of our residents, Executive Board, management team and staff, thank you for believing in our mission and for walking this journey with us.
Together, we are not simply sustaining an organisation—we are building brighter futures, protecting dignity and creating a place where every resident can continue to live with the care, respect and compassion they deserve.
Thank you for helping us build a sustainable future.
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By Lone Lourens | Marketing and Fundraising Manager
By Lone Lourens | Marketing and Fundraising Manager
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