While the rest of the world feels stuck in a doom loop, it’s incredibly uplifting to know there’s a social ecosystem thriving at home. Waves For Change (W4C) is a South African non-profit company working in the Western and Eastern Cape, with a Support Hub Office in Muizenberg, Cape Town.
Since 2022, SACAP Global has partnered with the organisation by donating annually to its Surf Therapy Programme. In addition, SACAP Global sponsors short courses and micro-credentials for coaches and support staff.
We spoke with Haley Van Der Walt, Head of the Surf Therapy Programme, about SACAP Global’s impact on W4C’s community service operations.
Making waves
We asked Haley to outline the organisation’s mission. “Children in underserved communities face higher risks of mental illness and social challenges because they lack access to health, education and development services.”
“Age 10 to 16 is a crucial intervention window as children approach adulthood. Strengthening self-regulation, social networks and wellbeing during this critical period helps develop healthy relationships and positive behaviour.”
“Our Surf Therapy Programme provides safe ‘third spaces’ outside home and school,” she says. “It combines the therapeutic benefits of surfing with structured activities that help build emotional resilience and develop coping mechanisms for stress.”
Joining forces
Haley recalls meeting SACAP’s Academic Dean, Dr Jaclyn Lotter, in mid-2022. “She organized a visit to our Muizenberg site to understand our work better. There was an instant synergy, and Jaclyn was eager to engage SACAP in our work.”
Since then, SACAP Global has funded 92 micro-credential courses. “This has been extremely valuable,” Haley asserts.
Partnership perks
Haley says that the partnership has resulted in several positive outcomes. “Waves for Change sees our coaches, aged 18 to 24 and mainly from the same communities as our participants, as secondary beneficiaries,” she explains.
“For many, this is their first real work experience. Investing in them enhances their job performance and facilitates a smooth transition from W4C to their next vocational undertaking.”
Consequently, Haley says that W4C is eager for SACAP to maintain the relationship. “SACAP Global courses deepen our understanding of the children we assist and supports our mission to develop our team.”
“The partnership also helps us network with the college and create more opportunities for our coaches and support staff,” she adds.
Paving the way
SACAP Global has upskilled 50 W4C staff and sponsored courses for coaches and site assistants. These include:
- Intro to Human Behaviour
- Interpersonal Communication: Relationships & Conflict Management
- Symptoms of Crisis and Trauma
- Enhancing Self-Esteem: Tools for Personal Empowerment
- Motivation Mastery: Unlock Potential & Achieve Goals.
Site managers who oversee coaching teams – many of whom were once participants themselves – have also benefited from SACAP Global’s leadership upskilling programmes. These courses include Intro to Management and Leadership, Domains of Psychology, Recruiting & Retaining Top Talent, Social Psychology: How Social Influences Impact Behaviour, and Counselling Children and Youth.
Haley notes, “The knowledge our training team members have acquired from SACAP has contributed to their professional and personal growth.”
“The Psychological Theories of Child and Adolescent Development course, for instance, has deepened their understanding of emotional and cognitive development,” she says.
“The Sports Psychology course has improved their ability to integrate movement and play into training, enriching the experience for everyone involved.”
“These courses give trainers expertise beyond W4C,” Haley says. “With SACAP’s accredited training, they earn qualifications that optimise their CVs for roles in education, corporate training, mental health support and sports coaching.”
Personal best
Personally, Haley says she’s very impressed with SACAP Global. “The Coaching Skills for Managers course has been instrumental in my career journey at W4C. It taught me leadership and coaching skills that helped me transition from site manager to programme manager and now Head of the Surf Therapy Department.”
“As I assumed greater responsibilities, the skills I gained helped me manage diverse teams and nurture positive relationships, encouraging growth in my staff and W4C participants.”
“SACAP Global’s course has developed my understanding of communication, conflict resolution and performance management, which are crucial for managing teams effectively.”
Impressive numbers
Waves for Change serves 43 communities along the South African coastline through daily Surf Therapy sessions and weekly Surf Clubs. Over 2,800 children participate either weekly or on weekends. Since its inception in 2009, W4C has trained 215 coaches, and its Surf Therapy Programme has reached 10,000 children.
Undoubtedly, the organisation is doing exceptionally valuable work, and SACAP Global is making significant contributions, too.
You can also benefit from this positive flywheel effect. SACAP Global offers micro-credential courses tailored to the world’s ever-evolving needs.
Short courses in Applied Psychology, Counselling, Mental Health, Neurodiversity, Business, Management and Organisational Development enable learners to connect online with peers and apply their knowledge practically.
Explore SACAP Global’s complete range of upskilling courses for more information.
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