Community building

Pay it forward

At UCT, we believe in the importance of paying it forward and we encourage you to do the same.
So, get involved in one or a few social outreach programmes, research activities and learning opportunities on and off campus.

The aim is to sacrifice some time and make a difference in someone’s life. Win!

We run a list of programmes on campus, which we’ve listed below, and a few others too.

The Global Citizenship Programme

UCT’s Global Citizenship: Leading for Social Justice Programme provides students with an opportunity to engage with global debates and reflect on issues of citizenship, social justice and community engagement.

What’s cool: The programme is free for UCT-registered students.

021 650 4158 | globalcitizen@uct.ac.za

The Knowledge Co-op

The Knowledge Co-op epitomises social responsiveness. It allows external communities to access the university’s knowledge, skills, resources and professional expertise and facilitates collaboration with community partners to address the development challenges they identify and define.

What’s cool: participating students and academics gain work experience, advance the quality of their research, and contribute to local communities.

021 650 4415 | roshan.sonday@uct.a.cza

Summer School

Summer School, the university’s flagship public education programme, makes academic resources available to the wider Cape Town community. The programme offers a variety of short courses – regardless of educational qualifications. It takes place annually during the first few weeks of January.

021 650 2888 | ems@uct.ac.za

Here are a few non-profit organisations around Cape Town that welcome volunteers.

Rape Crisis works around adult rape and sexual violence. They encourage survivors to report sexual violence to the authorities, and the organisation also works towards addressing legislation in the country.

Fact: Rape Crisis is the most experienced organisation in South Africa working in the field of adult rape and sexual violence.

23 Trill Road, Observatory
24-hour helpline 021 447 9762

communications@rapecrisis.org.za
www.facebook.com/rapecrisiscapetown

The Help2Read initiative aims to recruit, train and support literate adult volunteers from local communities to help disadvantaged primary school children who struggle to read. The volunteer readers work with children on a one-on-one basis and reading sessions take place once a week.

Fun fact: Since 2006, Help2Read has worked with 400 schools and helped 23 000 children to read.

Western Cape
082 365 2153 or 066 319 7347 | info@help2read.org

The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children is a one-stop centre for women and children who are survivors of abuse. The centre provides safe accommodation, legal advice and childcare services. Centre volunteers visit and interact with children over weekends, collect food and other donations in and around Cape Town, and assist with work in the garden.

Fact: Since 2020 the organisation has supported more than 12 000 women and children and 85% of these women and children have successfully transitioned into safer environments.

Klipfontein Road, Manenberg
021 633 5287

The Scalabrini Centre offers specialised services to South Africans, migrants and refugees in Cape Town. The organisation is committed to alleviating poverty and promoting development in the Western Cape, while simultaneously fostering integration between migrants, refugees and South Africans.

47 Commercial Street, Cape Town CBD
021 465 6433 | info@scalabrini.org.za

Sisters Incorporated

Sisters Incorporated is a non-profit organisation that houses victims of domestic violence. Volunteers are required to visit the organisation once a week to facilitate a workshop with residents. These workshops aim to educate women on their human rights and empower them for their return to life outside.

Fun fact: The centre’s creative workshops boost residents’ personal capacity and help them recognise their potential.

Kenilworth
021 797 4191 | info@sisters.org.za

Friends of the Children’s Hospital Association is a voluntary support group to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and welcomes all volunteers. Note: you’ll need to undergo a special screening and orientation before you start work.

Fun fact: To date, the Children’s Hospital Trust has raised over R1 billion for paediatric healthcare.

Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital

Klipfontein Road, Rondebosch
021 686 7860 | friendsofthechildrenshospital.org

If you’re an animal lover, then consider getting involved with the champions of animal welfare: the SPCA. You can help exercise the dogs, clean cages and groom cats. Attend one of the SPCA’s monthly volunteer sessions for insight into the volunteer programme.

Fun fact: In 2023 the SPCA cared for 16 583 animals at their mobile clinics and 10 711 at the animal hospital.

1st Avenue & First Road, Grassy Park
021 700 4140 | info@capespca.co.za

Get your hands dirty and get involved with Greenpop, a non-profit organisation on a mission to plant trees, green communities and empower environmental stewards across sub-Saharan Africa.

Fun fact: Greenpop believes in getting active (not anxious) about the future of our planet.

107 Mountain Road, Woodstock
073 803 5729 | info@greenpop.org