About Us
Our Background
Humberstone House NPC, often referred to as ‘Humberstone’, is a Non-Profit Company which maintains registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) and Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) status. Humberstone is permitted to issue Section 18A donation certificates.
The company is managed by a board of directors which is comprised of several executive directors (family members of the residents) as well as several non-executive members to ensure balanced management.
As Humberstone operates a small care home run largely by an active board, it is expected that all parents assist wherever practical and the involvement of siblings, family members and “friends of Humberstone” is also actively encouraged. While Humberstone House is open year-round, families are encouraged to have their children/siblings at home for a few weekends or holidays during the year, especially over the December holiday period.
Our History
Humberstone purchased a residential property in September 2013 and opened for residents in November 2013. Humberstone was fortunate to receive two significant donations, the first at the time of purchase and the second a year later which enabled substantial repayment of the bond and an expansion of the house in 2015. At capacity, Humberstone House can accommodate 8 residents and 2 carers.
Life at
Humberstone
The house currently has 9 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. Communal areas include a spacious lounge, covered patio, large open plan dining and kitchen area, a separate staff lounge and a spacious lawn.
The house is equipped with a commercial grade, uncapped WiFi with excellent coverage over the entire property as well as a Netflix account.
The involvement of all residents in a range of social activities and outings is seen as an integral and essential part of their care. This includes both in-house activities, outings to a range of local attractions and activities in conjunction with other organisations such as Faith and Light and Challengers.
Outings have included: Tobogganing, Kayaking, Super tubes, Putt-putt, Horse riding, Spier raptor centre, Silvermine hike, Boat trip, Boulder’s beach visit and various nature walks.
While in the longer term it is accepted that the home needs to operate sustainably with little involvement from parents, this is not the case for the initial few years while getting established. It is therefore necessary that parents are willing to be actively involved.
This can include being available to serve as a director and weekend assistance in particularly with transport until such time as we can afford a larger vehicle. This involvement from parents is also beneficial in enabling all parents to get to know the house, the residents and each other.
Maintenance of the house is another key parental activity both to contain costs and to promote social interaction between the parents as well as the parents and residents. Each parent (and family) brings a range of skills, and we would like to tap those skills to the maximum.
Cape Mental Health has been contracted to provide professional social work support to the House Carers and the Board. They meet the House Carers monthly and quarterly with the Board, or more often if requested, or necessary.
In addition, Cape Mental Health has agreed to nominate a director to serve on the Humberstone Board. Over time as the organisation matures, it is the intention to appoint additional external directors with appropriate skills who can assist the house.
Humberstone has also established a relationship with Alexandra Hospital Outpatient Clinic and residents in need of counselling or support can also be referred accordingly.
The company is managed by a board of directors. All parents/guardians are eligible to serve as a director. In addition, the company has appointed a number of external directors to achieve a balanced Board. The Memorandum of Incorporation that governs the operation of the company is attached below.
The Director of House Operations together with the House Carers oversee the day-to-day operations of the house.