In an effort to empower and improve the wellness of adolescents and youth in Langa, Western Cape Government Health and Wellness and the City of Cape Town partnered with loveLife and Wits RSI as well as local funded non profit organisation (NPO) Kheth’Impilo to launch an off-site adolescent and youth-friendly (AYFS) service in the community on Wednesday 4 October.
The initiative, known as the Vitality Club, is based at the loveLife Youth Centre in Langa.
Nathanial Petersen, healthy lifestyle programmes coordinator for loveLife Western Cape, shared that collaboration was important for put the needs of the young people in Langa first.
“We all have the same agenda,” he said. “We all want our young people to live healthy lives. Our young people are not making use of our health services as they should and this could be because of fear of judgement or stigma. We will have partners coming throughout the week to ensure access to services here at the youth centre. We want to capacitate our young people to be the messengers to spread the word of the great work and tell other young people to come. Bring your friends.”
Petersen said he is adamant the centre is there to assist all young people. “This centre is not just a Lovelife centre; it belongs to all of us. We must use the skills we have to build and pool all our efforts. Youth of Langa this is yours!”
Lindelwa Honono of Kheth’Impilo, a funded partner of the Department of Health and Wellness, will lead the health referral and counselling service.
She said the new service will be available from Monday to Friday, between 13:00 and 16:00 at the Youth Centre. This is to accommodate learners who are at school during the day. The service is available to people aged 10 to 22.
“We encourage all our young people to make use of the services,” said Honono. “When you open my door you will be welcomed with a smile – that I can guarantee. Whatever is said between us, is confidential; I know you are dealing with a lot of challenges outside. Together with the team of social worker and counsellors we are here to assist and guide and ensure you are referred to the appropriate care.”
Services offered at the youth-friendly clinic will include:
•HIV counselling and testing
•Support groups and individual counselling
•Pregnancy tests and birth control
•GBV screening
•STI screening
•Wellness check and screening (BMI).