Waves for Change

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Waves for Change

Empowering communities to increase youth well-being through inclusive evidence-based

Waves for Change (W4C) is led by a team of mental health and social service professionals who co-designed the Take 5 Teaching Model with young people living in South Africa and other low- and middle-income countries. Utilising the second window of neurological opportunity to effectively build resilience, confidence, and mental well-being in our youth – empowered by the transformative potential of

sport, Waves for Change trains local community members to provide surf therapy services to referred at-risk youth. On average, a young South African from a Waves for Change target community will experience between 8 - 15 highly traumatic incidences in a year. They are often repeatedly exposed to violence; a lack of basic needs being met and sometimes even restricted access to caregivers. This can lead to ‘Toxic Stress’ that wears away at the nervous system and reduces children and adolescent’s ability to control their behaviour, emotions and thoughts. This makes it difficult to maintain focus, to set goals for the future and significantly increases the risk of a wide range of psychosocial challenges that teenagers deal with such as substance addiction, anxiety and depression. It also contributes to children dropping out of school, and teens struggling to enter the employment market at a later stage. The W4C programmes improve the wellbeing and mental health of vulnerable youth, improving behaviour and learning outcomes whilst increasing access to social support in some of South Africa's most volatile, unstable communities. W4C works with local universities to evaluate impact and is supported by global agencies including Comic Relief, Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and Ashoka.

19/08/2026

What a way to kick off Women’s Month. We are beyond stoked. 🌟

Two members of the Waves for Change Support Hub Team, and former coaches, Jamie-Lee Davids and Müminah Cornelius, have been named in the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans 2026.

Jamie-Lee has been recognised in Education, Training and Skills Development, while Müminah has been recognised in Sport, Tourism and Hospitality.

This is what it looks like when you invest in people.

At Waves for Change, coaches are not support staff they are the heartbeat of our work. Their growth, leadership and development are at the heart of what we do, and seeing where our former coaches are today is a powerful reminder of what that investment can make possible.

Jamie-Lee and Müminah are proof of what happens when young people are supported, developed and believed in. We are incredibly proud to have played a small part in their journeys and even prouder to see them continue to lead, grow and make an impact far beyond the waves.

Congratulations to you both. 🌟

Read the full blog here: https://ow.ly/8cEl50ZB0T8

18/08/2026

🌊 Catch a wave. Change a life. At Waves for Change, we’re using the ocean, surf therapy and the power of connection to help young people thrive.

Want to be part of the movement?
💙 Donate - https://waves-for-change.org/donate/
📩 Subscribe to our newsletter - https://waves-for-change.org/surf-therapy/

Because when we come together, small ripples can become big waves. ✨

12/08/2026

🌊 This International Youth Day, we celebrate young people and the safe spaces that help them thrive.

At Waves for Change, the ocean creates space for connection, healing and possibility. Through surf therapy, we help young people build resilience, wellbeing and confidence.

Sometimes, change starts with a safe space, someone who listens, and the belief that you can make it through. 💙🌊

10/08/2026

🌊 Women who create safe spaces. Women who build confidence. Women who create change. This Women’s Month, we’re celebrating the incredible female coaches at Waves for Change. 💙
They show up.
They listen.
They lead with empathy.
They empower young people to believe in themselves and in what’s possible.

Through surf therapy, mentorship and connection, our coaches help create spaces where young people feel safe, seen and supported.

To the women behind the waves: thank you for the impact you make, every single day. 🌊

Here’s to the women shaping stronger futures, one young person at a time.
Happy Women’s Month! 💙

31/07/2026

🌊 Behind every young person who finds confidence in the water is a coach who shows up.

Our coaches aren't just teaching surfing.
They're creating safe spaces where young people feel seen, heard and supported.

That's where change begins. 💙

30/07/2026

💙 The success of a programme isn't just about the content, it's about the people delivering it. When coaches and facilitators come from the same communities, speak the same language, and understand the realities young people face, they build genuine trust. And trust is often where meaningful change begins.

This is one of the key insights from What's Working: Youth Mental Wellbeing Insights, exploring the practical approaches helping young people thrive.

📖 Read more and discover the full insights: https://youthmentalwellbeing.org/insight-approach

28/07/2026

🌊 Big things are happening at our Waves for Change KuGompo Site!

This Sunday, tune in to Kwêla on kykNET to meet some of the incredible people behind our work. Hear from our changemakers, dedicated coaches, and two inspiring leaders who started as a programme participant, became a coach, and now leads the site as Site Manager.

Their stories are a powerful reminder of what’s possible when young people are supported to grow, lead, and create change in their communities.

📺 Watch Kwêla
🗓️ Sunday, 2 August 2026
🕖 19:00
📍 kykNET (DStv Channel 144)

Don’t miss it ! 🌊✨

Changemakers Kwêla kykNET

23/07/2026

Your mental health matters. It's okay to not be okay, and it's always okay to ask for help.
According to the Kenya National Adolescent Health and Mental Health Survey (2021), about 44% of adolescents in Kenya experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges each year. However, fewer than 10% of those facing mental health challenges access formal mental health services, largely due to stigma and the limited availability of youth-friendly support.
At MTG, we are working to change that. In August 2025, we launched our Mental Miles Curriculum, equipping mental health champions to support their peers, create safe spaces for honest conversations, and help girls and young people understand, cope with, and talk openly about their wellbeing without shame.
This year with support from Waves for Change , the curriculum has been revised and strengthened with the integration of the Take 5 approach, further enhancing its ability to promote positive mental health, encourage meaningful conversations, and equip young people with practical tools to care for their wellbeing.
Together, we're building a community where everyone feels heard, supported, and empowered to seek help when they need it.

21/07/2026

💙 Every connection has the power to change a life.

These two smiles tell a story of belonging, trust, and the strength that comes from having someone in your corner. At Waves for Change, young people don't just find a safe space they find connection, encouragement, and peers who remind them they are never alone. 🌊

Positive peer support creates ripples that extend far beyond the beach. It builds confidence, strengthens mental wellbeing, and empowers young people to navigate life's challenges together.

Together, we can continue creating waves of hope, resilience, and lasting change.

💙 Donate today through the link in our bio and help us reach more young people who need the power of connection.

20/07/2026

🌊 Word of the Day: Part 2 is here!💙

As we dive into the next few months of the year, we're choosing to finish strong .. one word, one action, and one wave at a time. 🌟

Every word has the power to inspire, encourage, and create meaningful change. So, what's the word that's guiding your journey for the rest of the year? ✨

Drop your word in the comments below 👇 and tell us why it matters to you. Let's inspire each other to grow, connect, and keep creating waves of positive change together. 🌊💙

Address

23 Beach Road, Muizenberg
Cape Town
7945

Website

https://waves-for-change.org/donate/

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