After a brief hiatus to secure new premises, the Open Hands Support Centre, a shelter for vulnerable men, relaunches on Mandela Day tomorrow in Southernwood.
The non-profit organisation founded by Trevor Willard, was established in 2019 and has helped countless local men who found themselves victim to homelessness, substance abuse, violence or unemployment.
The organisation relaunches at 48 St James Street to mark a renewed commitment to support abused men, after it vacated its initial residence on Jarvis Road in Berea.
Willard believes the new location will make it easier for the organisation to work with other support organisations to provide the men at the shelter with access to counselling and substance abuse recovery programmes.
Willard said: “Nelson Mandela was there to help others as our organisation is too.
“The new premises are central and easily accessible. We hope to open a safe house in the near future, a place that will allow us to help even more people. It will allow for one-on-one sessions and private support where it’s needed most.”
Willard said they distribute food, clothing, and essentials to families in West Bank, Nahoon, Cambridge, Quigney, and Southernwood every Monday and Thursday, and the centre is seeing increased demand.
“Men don’t seek help when they are suffering emotionally,” he said. “They’re expected to be strong, not cry, and endure. That is where things go wrong.
“A man can be abused at work, by a partner, or at home, and they need a place to go, a safe space, and a sanctuary. We want to put them back on the right path.”
The centre partners with Masithethe Counselling Services to offer mental health support and trauma recovery.
“Our counselling sessions aim to help people who have experienced deep trauma rebuild their lives,” Willard said.
The relaunch is being supported by Buco Hardware, which is donating personal hygiene hampers as part of its national Mandela Day hygiene drive.
“Open Hands is one of the NPOs that Buco Beacon Bay identified as needing assistance,” Buco Beacon Bay assistant manager Brett Moyce said.
“We are donating items such as soap and toothpaste. There is so much taking in the world and not enough giving.”
Buco has also committed to supporting the upkeep of the future safe house, once established.
For Gavin May, a 57-year-old single father of three from Nahoon, Open Hands Support Centre has been a lifeline during a time of severe financial difficulty and emotional stress.
“Trevor is a fantastic gentleman. I haven’t personally received help, but I’ve seen how many people they’ve helped, and they’ve got good hearts. It doesn’t matter who you are,” May said.
Gavin, who had been unemployed for more than a year, said the centre stepped in with regular support during times of deep financial strain.
“On Monday and Thursday afternoons, they would call or drop off food parcels, bread, clothes and even toys for the children, depending on what’s been donated,” he said. “They offer this without judgment. It really makes a difference.”
He recently secured a six-month job contract with a security company, and credits the organisation for helping him survive until he could get back on his feet.
“Mental health matters, no matter how old you are. Open Hands doesn’t just offer services, they offer dignity. It feels so good to know they’re here. Many more people will now get a helping hand.”
As the country prepares for Mandela Day, Willard is hopeful that the public and other organisations will step in to support Open Hands in their mission to be a safe space for vulnerable men, saying: “Help us to help others. No man should suffer in silence.”
To be part of their outreach or to get in touch with them for assistance, please contact: trevorfwillard@gmail.com.
