Waves for Change

05/06/2026

This World Ocean Day, CVC Capital Partners and Waves for Change (W4C) are coming together to give back to the ocean that gives so much to us. 🩵

On Saturday, 6 June, staff volunteers from CVC will join Surf Club participants and the Waves for Change team for a beach and ocean cleanup at Kalk Bay Harbour Beach.

Organised alongside Parley for the Oceans, Oceano Reddentes and Sentinel Ocean Alliance, the cleanup is a reminder that healthy oceans are essential not only for our planet, but also for our well-being.

Research shows that spending time near, in, or on the water can help calm busy minds, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. This World Ocean Day, we'll be taking action both above and below the water to help protect these spaces for future generations.
Together, we can create cleaner oceans, stronger communities, and a healthier future for all.

05/06/2026

🌊 As Child Protection Week comes to a close, we're reminded that the most powerful changes often start with a single relationship.

This week, our coaches shared moments that reflect the impact of creating safe spaces for children:

💙 "Coach, you are like a mother to me; I appreciate you being in my life."

💙 One participant reflected, "I need to stop following and I need to lead."

These words speak to what happens when children feel seen, supported, and empowered. From building trust and belonging to developing confidence and leadership, every connection creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the beach.

Child Protection Week may be ending, but our commitment to children continues every day.

Join us in creating waves of change. Be a champion for children's wellbeing, advocate for safe spaces, and help every child discover their strength and potential.

02/06/2026

🌊⚽️ Join us this summer in Rhode Island for an unforgettable afternoon supporting Waves for Change!

Come watch the World Cup Quarter Finals, enjoy homemade wood-fired pizza and more, take part in our silent auction, and learn how surf therapy is changing the lives of children and young people across South Africa and beyond. 💙

Whether you've supported Waves for Change for years or are discovering their work for the first time, we'd love to have you with us.

A donation of just $150 provides a child with 6 months of life-changing surf therapy. 🌊

Every ticket, bid, and donation helps make mental health support more accessible for young people who need it most.

📍 Rhode Island
📅 This Summer
🎟️ Join us, bring your friends, and help create waves of positive change.

Can't attend but still want to support? Consider making a donation and helping us reach more children through the power of surf therapy. - https://ow.ly/2o4G50Z68xw

02/06/2026

Every child deserves a safe space where they feel seen, heard, and valued. 💙

Trusted adults and positive peer support can make all the difference. When children know there is someone who will listen, believe them, and support them without judgment, they are more likely to speak up, seek help, and stay safe.

No child should face challenges alone. Creating safe spaces at home, at school, and in our communities helps children build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

If you need support, reach out to a trusted adult, connect with positive peers, or contact a child protection helpline.

📞 Save these helpline numbers. Share this post. Be part of creating safer spaces for every child.

01/06/2026

💙 Child Protection Week reminds us that every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and supported.

Emotional wellbeing is a vital part of child protection. When children and adolescents feel understood and connected, they are better equipped to navigate challenges and thrive.

At Waves for Change, we believe that supporting children's feelings starts with listening, creating safe spaces, and helping young people build healthy ways to express and manage their emotions.

This Child Protection Week, let's commit to checking in, listening without judgment, and reminding children that their feelings matter.

What is one thing you do to support the emotional wellbeing of the children in your life? Share your thoughts in the comments below and help us build a community that puts children's wellbeing first. 🏄‍♀️💚

29/05/2026

Child Protection Week is more than awareness, it’s a call to action. 🌊

Every child deserves safety, support, and access to mental health care. At Waves for Change, we stand for the emotional wellbeing of children and adolescents because healthy minds create stronger futures. 💙

28/05/2026

27/05/2026

Young people aren't waiting to be heard. They're leading. 🌊

This May, our team attended the Bold Ideas for Brighter Futures 2026 conference in Cape Town. 384 participants, 47 countries, one shared mission: better mental health for every young person.

We facilitated, we shared, we listened. And we came home reminded of why this work matters. 💚
"Nothing about us without us."

Tap the link to read the full story - https://ow.ly/fsm050Z4IYi

25/05/2026

Caregivers from our Hout Bay site came together for the first caregiver session of 2026 💙🌊

Through shared play, connection, and learning, parents and caregivers experienced first-hand how Surf Therapy supports children’s emotional well-being and helps create safe, supportive spaces for growth.

From joining in our Take 5 routine to building stronger partnerships around each child, the day was filled with joy, trust, and meaningful connection.

“ It was powerful to see parents fully engaging in the activities and experiencing the programme for themselves.” – Annelissa Mhloli, W4C Social Worker

Read more on the blog 🔗 https://ow.ly/WC3p50Z3Bt5

21/05/2026

From Stockholm to the communities we serve 🌍✨

The Waves for Change team had the opportunity to lead a session on the 18th of May at the “BOLD IDEAS FOR BRIGHTER FUTURES” conference hosted by Karolinska Institutet and UNICEF in Cape Town — sharing our Take 5 Routine and the work we do on the ground through our surf therapy programme, supporting young people navigating high toxic - stress environments.

Our Training team guided attendees through guided breathing, what experiencing that moment of regulation feels like and promoting play to build connection and FUN ! 🤩

We also heard from former coaches Liaan Papier ( Communications Officer ) and Sino Fana ( Junior Training Officer ) now working within our office team, alongside one of our Take 5 champions Malcolm from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport in the Western Cape through a panel discussion on the importance of safe spaces, positive support systems, challenges and adversities and what young people truly need. This reminded us of the power of lived experiences, safe spaces, and community-led support. 💙

What stood out most were the connections built, the mindsets shifted, and the conversations sparked around what young people truly need to thrive: positive experiences, trusted role models, and meaningful support systems. Through our work, we continue to reduce risk-taking behaviours that often result from exposure to high toxic stress environments, while creating spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Our call to action is simple:
More spaces for youth voices. More opportunities for meaningful impact. 🏄‍♀️