Patients at Witrand Hospital recently received clothing and bathroom supplies from a group of fourth-year nursing students from the North-West University (NWU).

The students, who are completing their clinical hours in mental health care, said the initiative was part of their responsibility to provide care that goes beyond treatment.

Dr Khumo Shopo, deputy director of the School of Nursing, says the school encourages the students to get involved in community projects from their first year of studies. The nature of the profession makes the students’ involvement seamless, as they enjoy lending a helping hand and contributing to improving other people’s lives in more ways than just providing healthcare.

“We saw that there was a need for basic items that many of us take for granted,” said one student. “These gifts are our way of showing the patients that they are loved.”

The donation included warm clothes, soap, washcloths, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other hygiene products. Students also spent time speaking to patients and listening to their stories.

A senior nurse at Witrand Hospital thanked the students. “When the community gets involved, it reminds our patients that they are part of a bigger family.”

The students said they hope their project will encourage more people to support mental healthcare and reduce stigma.

“The fourth-year students work with mental healthcare users with intellectual disabilities and/or mental disorders. Their caring hearts went out to these people, as some of them do not know or have any family. This initiative aimed to lend a helping hand to these patients by providing extra clothing and necessities like toothbrushes and facecloths,” said Annemarie Marx, a senior lecturer and module manager for Mental Health Nursing.

She mentioned that the students’ initiative sends a strong message that there are mental healthcare users who need the basics. The patients enjoyed the new clothes and wanted to brush their teeth immediately upon receiving the gifts.

This experience has made a huge impact and the students will definitely cherish the memories long after graduating.

NWU nursing students donate clothing and supplies to Witrand Hospital patients.