Our model

What we do

All programmes delivered under one roof, from early childhood development to a first job - built with the community, open to everyone in it.
Our approach

A cradle-to-career model, built with the community

We believe that all young people deserve to thrive. In regions and communities affected by inequality, young people have limited access to quality services and opportunities, which ends up fuelling intergenerational cycles of poverty and inequality.

Safe-Hub creates safe spaces where like-minded partners collaborate so that young people and communities can thrive. We bring community-based organisations and global best practices together under one roof, where they form an ecosystem that enables social and economic development.

Every Safe-Hub participant benefits from holistic services and programmes — from sport to education, to physical health and mental wellbeing, to employment, entrepreneurship and local economic development.

Founded
2007
Reach
Active in numerous communities across 5 countries
Ages served
From 2 to 35, across the nine programmes below
Ownership
All Safe-Hub solutions are community-built and driven
Sustainability
Local economic growth creates revenue that covers operating costs
Community foundation

COMMUNITY & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

In order to identify and understand a community’s needs, we build strong relationships with local stakeholders. Through regular community events, workshops and forums, we get to know the unique opportunities and challenges in each Safe-Hub area. This outreach helps our team make connections, develop responsive, tailored programmes and initiatives, and also inspires ongoing collaboration.

Events · Workshops · Community forums
Early years — Ages 2–9

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (ECD)

This programme supports the healthy development of children through classes and activities for both child and caregiver. Expert caregivers help children achieve developmental milestones, prepare for success in school, and foster positive relationships with parents and teachers. A train-the-trainer component also expands educational capacity in the local area, equipping ECD practitioners with the latest teaching techniques and educational activities.

Child & caregiver classes · School readiness · Train-the-trainer
Sport & personal development — Ages 8–35

AFTER SCHOOl DEVELOPMENT (ASD)

This diverse range of programmes supports young people’s personal development. Participants develop self-esteem and resilience, practice core values like teamwork and empathy, gain access to job opportunities, and enjoy a safe space for sport and recreation. Our offerings include after-school programmes in art, dance and singing (Ages 8-16); EduFootball, which combines the power of sport and life skills education (Ages 8-16); our popular Night League, which provides nighttime access to safe recreation in a floodlit turf field (Ages 16-35); and our signature PlayMaker programme, a one-year accredited learnership that supports job readiness (Ages 18-25).

After-school arts 8–16 · EduFootball 8–16 · Night League 16–35 · PlayMaker 18–25
Digital skills & e-learning

DIGITAL LAB

At the Digital Lab, young people can access desktop computers, high-speed internet access, and a range of accredited courses that cover everything from basic computer literacy to coding. This e-learning centre is a place to study, learn, and prepare for further education and employment. Educators support job readiness and provide digital skills training that equips young people for success.

Computers & internet · Accredited courses · Literacy to coding
Youth development — Ages 17–25

POST SCHOOL TRANSITION (PST)

As the centre of activity for young people (ages 17-35) at every Safe-Hub, the Youth Café offers a variety of personal and professional development support. From psychosocial counselling to demand-based skills training programmes, this platform is a one-stop-shop for multiple services related to education, employment and entrepreneurship. This dedicated space is designed to reduce youth unemployment. Educators, trainers and mentors provide individualised support to each participant, enabling their personal and professional growth. 

Counselling · Skills training · Employment & entrepreneurship
Health & wellbeing

HEALTH

Through partnerships with healthcare providers, we make affordable, quality healthcare more accessible. Community health workers provide essential services like check-ups, health education, vaccinations and treatment for minor illnesses and referrals for specialised care when needed. These services are provided at Safe-Hub or through mobile clinics. With a focus on prevention and early intervention, we can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall health in the community.

Check-ups · Vaccinations · Health education · Mobile clinics
Local economy

LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (LED)

We expand economic opportunities and stimulate local growth through initiatives that create new jobs, strengthen the circular economy, tap into Small, Medium and Micro-Enterprise (SMME) services, and introduce new businesses to Safe-Hub communities. This strategy is also designed to achieve financial sustainability for each Safe-Hub, creating revenue streams that cover operating costs through pioneering projects including the first township-based contact centre in South Africa.

Job creation · SMME services · Circular economy
Sustainability

GREEN SOLUTIONS

We promote sustainability through off-grid solutions that provide reliable access to water, renewable energy and waste management, all while reducing our impact on the environment. Through partnerships, Safe-Hub also offers agricultural programmes and resources that support household food security and local economic development. 

Community members benefit from skills training that improves their vegetable yield and creates links to markets where they can sell surplus food.

Water · Renewable energy · Waste · Food security
Partnership

COLLECTIVE IMPACT

Collaboration is what makes significant, long-term impact possible. We bring a diverse range of partners, local institutions and community members together to tackle complex socio-economic and environmental challenges at scale. We coordinate workshops and forums where we align on strategy and establish shared measurement systems that help us track progress and evaluate our collective efforts.

Partner forums · Shared strategy · Shared measurement
Get involved

Build a Safe-Hub with us

No organisation can meaningfully overcome the challenges of inequality on its own, which is why collaboration is central to everything we do.