Waves for Change

General information

We know that violence and poverty are effecting the way that children and adolescents are developing in South Africa.

On average, a Young South African from a Waves for Change target community will experience between 8 - 15 highly traumatic incidences in a year. This is impacting how children and young adults feel about themselves, in turn effecting short-termbehaviour and learning outcomes and future life opportunities.

Waves for Change is lead by a team of mental health and social service professionals who have fused recognised approaches to therapy with surfing.

In communities with heavily under-resourced social services, Waves for Change trains local community members to provide surf therapy services to referred, at-risk youth. Waves for Change programmes improve the wellbeing and mental health of vulnerable youth, improving behaviour and learning outcomes. Waves for Change programmes also increase access to social support in some of South Africa's most volatile, unstable communities.

Waves for Change works with local universities to evaluate impact. Waves for Change is supported by global agencies including Comic Relief, Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and Ashoka.