How chocolate wrappers aim to make a difference at a Mitchells Plain hospital

When chocolate maker Bobbie Pryce-Fitchen lost her life partner two years ago‚ she wanted to find a way to honour her legacy.

Confectionery made by the company that Patricia and Bobbie Pryce-Fitchen ran together — part of a relationship that lasted for 35 years — can now be ordered with wrappers designed in memory of Patricia.

Corporate customers at Chocolate Time can specify the wrappers when they order supplies‚ and money raised will go to the Spring Foundation at Lentegeur Hospital in Mitchells Plain. Pryce-Fitchen’s first port of call was Lentegeur psychiatrist John Parker‚ who directs the foundation.

He explained that it was established to try to change the way mental health is regarded in society. One of its flagship programmes‚ the garden‚ was created to reconnect patients to the earth while giving them practical skills that could be used once they re-enter the community.

Creating chocolates inspired by the garden for the benefit of the foundation was something Bobbie felt connected directly to Pat’s passion as a chef and her concern with food security.

Then Pryce-Fitchen turned to Cindie Ah Ling‚ who heads the Peter Clarke Art Centre in Claremont‚ to bring the vision to life. In turn‚ Ah Ling challenged 53 young designers to design wrappers. In the group were students from the grade 11 and FET classes at the centre‚ as well as grade 11 and 12 pupils from Cedar High School in Mitchells Plain.

“For them to fully understand this project‚ the learners had to see and experience it [the hospital]‚” said Ah Ling.

“I think they were very surprised to go to this very green garden‚ which was almost like an oasis… Everybody was so happy there. It was an absolute contrast [to the patient wards].” Five designs were selected for the chocolates. Pryce-Fitchen hopes to add another five to the collection and keep the initiative going for years.

“I knew that these two organisations [the art centre and the Spring Foundation] would be the best way to make an impact. If Pat were alive she would have supported this idea fully‚” said Pryce-Fitchen.