Waves for Change

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.

12/10/2026

💚 World Mental Health Day | 10 October 2026

Too often, young people struggle to express what they are feeling because they haven't yet found the words.

This is why emotional literacy matters.

Across Africa, our network members, including School of Hard Knocks SA in South Africa, Watoto Wasoka in Uganda, Yedi-Naija in Nigeria and many others, are contributing to supportive environments where young people can recognise, understand and communicate their emotions.

Through youth development programmes, meaningful conversations and psychosocial support, our members are helping young people find their voices.

This World Mental Health Day, let's build a future where young people feel heard, understood and supported, and where they don't have to reach crisis point before asking for help.

💚 Together, let's .

Allan Wilfred Williams Department of Sport, Arts and Culture African Union Sport Council Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Women Sport Africa Network PeacePlayers South Africa Development Bank of Southern Africa Johannesburg Inner City Partnership @

Immersion. Connection. Belonging. 💙On 10 October, we celebrated our annual Immersion event on Muizenberg Beach, bringing...
12/10/2026

Immersion. Connection. Belonging. 💙
On 10 October, we celebrated our annual Immersion event on Muizenberg Beach, bringing young people and our community together to experience the power of surf therapy firsthand.

Immersion is about more than getting into the ocean, it is one of the first activities in our Surf Therapy curriculum designed to help children and adolescents build trust, confidence and a sense of safety and community.

💚 This World Mental Health Day, we recognise the importance of listening to young people and honouring their lived experiences. This year’s theme, “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change,” reminds us that every voice matters and that connection can be a powerful part of supporting mental well-being.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this annual immersion meaningful. 💙

🌊 Let’s keep showing up, listening and creating spaces where mental well-being can thrive.

Before the breaking point, there’s a moment of connection. 💙A circle. A conversation. A coach who creates a space where ...
09/10/2026

Before the breaking point, there’s a moment of connection. 💙

A circle. A conversation. A coach who creates a space where young people feel seen, heard and supported.

With fewer than 10% of children in low- and middle-income countries able to access mental health treatment, safe, connected spaces matter.

Coaches play an important role in creating those spaces, listening without judgement, building trust, noticing when something feels different, and helping young people feel supported before challenges reach a crisis point.

08/10/2026

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Sometimes prevention looks like this. 🌊Laughter. Play. New friendships. A moment of feeling seen.💚 Mental health support...
07/10/2026

Sometimes prevention looks like this. 🌊

Laughter. Play. New friendships. A moment of feeling seen.

💚 Mental health support doesn't start in a crisis. It starts with connection.
That's why we're creating spaces where young people can simply be themselves, long before the breaking point.

🌊 BEFORE BREAKING POINTPrevent the Crisis Before It Starts.This International Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re champ...
01/10/2026

🌊 BEFORE BREAKING POINT
Prevent the Crisis Before It Starts.

This International Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re championing lived experiences, safe spaces, positive peer support, and the power of connection.

At Waves for Change, we use surf therapy, sport, play-based activities and trusted relationships to build resilience, belonging and hope for children and young people, helping create the conditions for wellbeing before a mental health crisis takes hold.

📍 10 October | Muizenberg Beach

Join us on International Mental Health Day and experience our Surf Therapy programme firsthand. Come play. Connect. Get in the water. Experience what prevention can look and feel like.

And when the programme wraps, stay for a FREE SURF! 🌊
Bring your friends. Bring your family. Bring your board, or simply bring yourself.

Let’s get together, get in the ocean, create safe spaces and be part of a movement that believes in preventing the crisis before it starts.

Together. Simunye. Sisonke. 💙🌊

💙 They show up. They listen. They care. Our Caring Coaches are at the heart of Waves for Change, building trust, creatin...
23/09/2026

💙 They show up. They listen. They care.

Our Caring Coaches are at the heart of Waves for Change, building trust, creating safe spaces, and helping young people feel seen, heard and supported.

It’s more than surfing. It’s the power of someone who cares enough to keep showing up.

Help us keep the waves moving. 🌊
Help us keep the waves of change moving. Donate today. 💙

18/09/2026

💜 A week of remembrance, solidarity, and action.

Today, we walked for her, honoring the women and girls we have lost to femicide, standing with survivors, and raising our voices against gender-based violence. At Waves for Change, we know change starts with us: with connection, courage, community, and action.

The walk may be over, but the commitment continues.
We remember. We stand. We act.
We walk for her. 🌊

Every young person deserves a safe space to feel seen, supported and connected. 🌊At Waves for Change, we use the power o...
17/09/2026

Every young person deserves a safe space to feel seen, supported and connected. 🌊
At Waves for Change, we use the power of the ocean and surf therapy to create safe spaces where young people can build resilience, strengthen their mental wellbeing and learn that they don’t have to navigate life’s challenges alone.

But it takes a community to create change. Your donation helps us bring more young people into the circle, creating more safe spaces, more connection, and more opportunities for young people to thrive.

Together, we can make waves that last far beyond the shoreline.

🌊 Donate today. Help us keep creating safe spaces for young people to heal, connect and thrive. Donate via the link in our bio.

Address

23 Beach Road, Muizenberg
Cape Town
7945

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