Community Outreach Programme Trust (COPT) Training

In November 2025, The Mindful Foundation delivered Think Different training in partnership with the Community Outreach Programme Trust (COPT), working with educators and frontline staff supporting children, young people and families affected by trauma, poverty and violence in South Africa. It was an honour to work alongside the inspirational team at COPT, practitioners deeply embedded in their communities and committed to meaningful, long-term change.

What the training covered

The training was delivered over two intensive days and focused on both understanding the root causes of harm and building practical tools for change.

Key areas included:

- Domestic abuse risk factors and early warning signs

- The neurology of stress, trauma and emotional processing

- Emotional regulation and stress management

- Self-esteem, self-worth and identity

- Gender norms, power and harmful belief systems

- Trauma awareness, recovery and safeguarding

- Supporting disclosures safely and confidently

Impact and outcomes

Evaluation data collected before and after the training showed clear and encouraging shifts.

Outcomes included:

- Improved emotional regulation, emotional literacy and stress tolerance

- Increased self-esteem and sense of personal value among staff

- Greater understanding of the drivers of violence, abuse and harmful behaviour

- Increased confidence in delivering sensitive content and managing disclosures

- Reduced stress and burnout through clear, structured approaches

Voices from the training

Participant feedback reflected both professional and personal impact:

“I’ve been abused, and for the first time in my life, I can let that go.”

“Now I feel positive about my life, I had low self-esteem before.”

“It opened my mind.”

“I feel good because I now know how to handle my emotions.”

Several participants shared that the training helped them feel ready to take the next step into counselling, further learning, or deeper reflective practice.

Looking ahead

Building on the success of the November 2025 training, The Mindful Foundation will be delivering further Think Different training in partnership with the COPT in 2026, working with an additional community centre in Durban. This next phase will extend trauma-informed, preventative practice to more educators and frontline staff, strengthening local capacity and widening the programme’s long-term impact.