We discovered that there was only one state social worker and one psychologist to service 45 schools and 32 000 children in the Cape Winelands. During a research project (Stellenbosch University), the common denominator that we found across all ages was that people ‘needed someone to talk to’. This was particularly evident among the youth.
We provide c.a.r.e. which includes Counselling, crisis intervention, containment and check-ins, Anchoring workshops where participants get to build up their own toolbox of techniques, Referral pathways and resources, and we work together to build an Environment or culture of well-being where everyone feels a sense of belonging and everyone can thrive.
Established in 2008, we now partner with 90 schools serving low income communities across South Africa. Our long term goal has always been to partner with 100 schools by 2025.
In 2023, we partnered with National Treasury's Jobs Fund to scale, adding 44 new schools (across 3 geographic provinces) and creating 64 new jobs. The expansion has been a success.
Please contact us to arrange a site visit.
Our library of resources is available, at no charge.
Prof Vikram Patel says: "mental health is too important to leave to the professionals alone"; so we train members of the community in mental health first aid equipping them as first responders. We also offer this training commercially to generate income that subsidises our free courses.
