Safe Circle’s | Learning In Reach

Trauma-informed Safe Circle's

“The more healthy relationships a child has, the more likely he will be to recover from trauma and thrive.
Relationships are the agents of change and the most powerful therapy is human love.”

- Dr Bruce Perry

Why safe circles

Poverty, mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse all have a hand in creating an environment that replicates itself over and over in each successive generation. All are prevalent in Lavender Hill and other marginalised areas in South Africa and place children at risk, especially in times of increased stressors such as Covid-19.

Creating connected and caring communities where people look out for each other can shift trauma responses, provide positive experiences and change belief systems. It can create an organised, protective mechanism to hold families in saftey and expand social protection programs to reach the most vulnerable families and children. It can maintain child-centred services with a focus on equity of access. It can provide practical community-led support and solutions.

It can change attitudes and behaviour. It can open up opportunities for a better response now, and future tomorrow.

32,598 people reside in Lavender Hill | 6504 Households | 3700 0-4 Year olds
59% of households have a monthly income of R3,200 ($300) or less
COVID19 and the related lock down in SA has impacted unskilled workers heavily
High crime rates | Gang activity | Child abuse | Drug and alcohol abuse | HIV/AIDS | High rates of teenage pregnancY | Mental health issues

Project Aim

To create self-healing communities that are resilient and responsive in the face of any adversity, including COVID-19.

To shift collective trauma response of despair and conflict, to care and connect, building a community even in times of self isolation and protecting young children at risk.