Sip, savour, and support at the Joyce Chevalier Valentine’s Day tea

YOLANDE DU PREEZ|Published 2 weeks ago

Workers of the Joyce Chevalier Centre Protective Workshop with their decorated spekboom, from left are, Andrew Roots, Micaela Morgan, Judith Holst, Taryn Denne and Kayla Commerford.

Joyce Chevalier Centre Protective Workshop worker Andrew Roots with some of the decorations for the Valentine’s Day high tea.

A picture of last year’s tea in the garden.

Love is in the air at the Joyce Chevalier Centre Protective Workshop as workers prepare for the centre’s Valentine's high-tea fund-raiser tomorrow, Saturday, February 15.

The centre’s manager, Catherine Pitt, said the team has been decorating spekboom, creating unusual table settings, and making hearts.

Tickets for the high tea cost R100 and will start at 2pm until 4.30pm. There will be great raffle prizes up for grabs.

The Joyce Chevalier Centre, a non-profit organisation, offers a protective work environment to adults with disabilities in Fish Hoek (“Budget cuts threaten Joyce Chevalier Centre,” Echo, February 22, 2024).

Ms Pitt said the centre has traditionally focused on contract work but is now shifting towards manufacturing as machines and the increasingly competitive labour market take over contract opportunities.

“We have a group of sewers making cushions, shopping bags, and aprons and a woodwork team making different-sized planting boxes and bird feeders. Our beading team makes novelty animal key rings and we bake delicious dog biscuits,” she said, adding that the workers are proud that their products are competitively priced due to the generosity of donors of fabric, wood, beads, and dog biscuit ingredients.

She said the centre was currently fund-raising for a new minibus.

“We would like to purchase a minibus for the workers to get to and from work. Funds raised for this tea and our following fund-raisers will go towards the new bus,” she said, adding that the next fund-raiser, Bluegrass and Brew, which will include a live performance by the band Gravel Road, and will include a burger and chips, will take place on Friday March 14 at the centre.

For more information about the centre or future events, visit its Facebook page or email manager@jccentre.org.za