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Month: February 2023

  • Partnerships, together, are stronger and more effective than ‘going it alone’.

    Sive Vaaltein is the family strengthening manager at Living Hope. Living Hope is one such NPO that UPside has partnered with.

    Non-profit organizations (NPOs) are essential to our society. They work tirelessly to address a range of social, economic, and environmental issues and provide crucial services to those in need. However, as with any organization, NPOs face various challenges that can make it difficult to achieve their goals. This is where partnerships come in.

    Partnerships between NPOs can be incredibly valuable, providing a range of benefits that are difficult to achieve when each organization goes it alone. Here are just a few reasons why NPOs should consider partnerships:

    1. Access to expertise and resources: NPOs often operate on limited budgets and with limited staff, which can make it difficult to address complex challenges. By partnering with other NGOs/NPOs and related organisations, your NPOs can tap into a broader range of expertise and resources, allowing them to tackle more ambitious projects.
    2. Increased visibility and credibility: When NPOs partner with other NPOs/NGOs and supporting organisations, they can increase their visibility and credibility. By working together, they can demonstrate their impact on their communities and attract more support from donors, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
    3. Collaborative problem-solving: Many issues that NPOs are working to address are complex and multifaceted. By partnering with others, including tertiary institutions such as UCT, your NPOs can collaborate on problem-solving, bringing together diverse perspectives and approaches to find innovative solutions.

      UPside recently had the privilege to be invited to the University of Cape Town’s Knowledge Co-operative. We had the opportunity to explore UCT’s role in linking community research needs with the students and lecturers of UCT and network with other NPOs to explore partnership opportunities.
      Click here to read about the event hosted by the UCT Knowledge Co-op.

      In short, partnerships can provide NPOs with many benefits that are difficult to achieve when working alone. By collaborating with other organizations, NPOs can access expertise and resources, increase their visibility and credibility, collaborate on problem-solving, and increase their efficiency and effectiveness. For NPOs committed to achieving their goals and making a positive impact in their communities, partnerships are an essential tool that should not be overlooked.

      Click here to see the other organisations that UPside has partnered with.

    4. Teen Suicide Prevention Week encourages loved ones to do Mental Health ‘Check In’

      Marking Teen Suicide Prevention Week this week (February 12-19), the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) has encouraged parents, loved ones, family, friends, teachers, and guardians to do mental health “check-ins” with teens.

      Please read the full article here: Teen Suicide Prevention Week encourages loved ones to do Mental Health ‘Check In’ (iol.co.za)

      To chat online, WhatsApp a SADAG counsellor on 076 882 2775 (8am – 5pm) or sms 31393 and a counsellor will call back.

      Or visit www.sadag.org for more resources.

      Or to make an appointment to chat with an ALONGside counsellor, WhatsApp 068 7 49 59 39 (from 9am to 5pm Mon to Fri.)

    5. Official UPside NPC Launch

      Sunday the 12 February 2023 saw the official launch of Upside Community Services NPC. Locally know as UPside, this nonprofit company is a registered nonprofit working in the deep south of the Western Cape, South Africa. The NPC has three programmes it is driving;

      • ONside – Education support for both First 1500 Days and Last 1500 Days of a learner’s educational journey
      • IRONside – With a focus on employability. Developing soft skills related to job seeking and self-employment.
      • ALONGside – Emotional health counselling. Providing free lay counselling services to our community.

      Please watch the video below for more details.

    6. Teen girls report highest levels of distress, sexual violence in a decade, says CDC

      Almost three in five US teen girls reported feeling sad or hopeless in 2021, the highest level seen in a decade and nearly twice the rate among teenage boys.

      You can read the full article from the Daily Maverick here.

      Are you, or someone you know batteling with depression? Please contact UPside’s free counselling service on;

      WhatsApp (Preferred): 068 7 49 59 39

      Email: [email protected]

      Or your closest support in your area.

    7. ‘Make your mental health a priority’: Valkenberg Trust calling on “friends” to assist with donations

      Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital

      “We have to take care of our mental health like we take care of the rest of our body.” 

      So says Soraya Solomon, director for Friends of Valkenberg Trust.

      Read more about this important issue and how to support the Valkenberg Trust. Valkenberg Hospital is the only specialist public psychiatric hospital in the Cape Town Municipality.

      Click here for the original article on News24.

    8. Cape Town suburbs where homeless people count

      What happens when you give homeless people jobs alongside social services? Streetscapes, a homelessness-focused project of national non-profit organisation Khulisa Social Solutions, has been finding out.

      Click here to access the original article on Cape Town Etc.

    9. ‘Failure is not terminal’ – Cape Town NGO gives unsuccessful candidates a second chance at matric

      Ukhanyo Foundation offers matric students who have failed their exams a second chance at matriculating. 

      The Cape Town-based NGO offers free tutoring, self-improvement workshops and life skills training.

      Twenty-five students used their services in 2022.

      Original News24 Link