HEARTS for JBay is a wellness initiative for kids in the area.
It all happened during an informal social gathering about a year ago. A group of ladies with mutual interests, who have a heart for children, decided to form a group who can provide educational, emotional and sometimes just practical support to kids and their parents in the area. The name “Hearts For JBay” was a popular choice, as it seemed to describe exactly what was in every therapist’s heart!
This group of professional therapists and service providers are all business owners, working for themselves. Their aim is to assist learners, parents and teachers with any difficulties and/or challenges that they might face. If they themselves are unable to assist, they will refer clients to the most appropriate, most affordable service provider.
They initially decided to form a Whatsapp group to enable them to share information about what it was that they did in their different practices and occupations. In this way they could assist other members with advice. Requests were posted and options to assist clients were discussed. Especially during lock-down, this became their only means of contact and as a result they were able to assist numerous clients over the past year.
Ethical and confidentiality principles guide their interaction and clients can be assured of professionalism when they are referred to a colleague.
A website for the group (hearts4jbay.com) was created recently, consisting of many informative articles written by members of the team. The website also offers a platform for products discussed in the articles, such as Weighted blankets, Playdough infused with beneficial essential oils, information about a Language Development Program, etc.
A printed pamphlet with all the information was the brainchild of Marion le Roux.
“This pamphlet will be distributed in Jeffreys Bay and the Kouga-area to make it easy for parents to find the correct therapist for their child when they need help. Having all the information in one document will make it easier especially for the new families in our area, who often come from cities and are accustomed to have all the educational services available at their fingertips. They need to know that they can find all the specialised services in Jeffrey’s Bay and that they do not have to drive all the way to Port Elizabeth,” said Le Roux.
- For more info go to hearts4jbay.com
