Working with the Vukuzenzele community in Philippi since 2009, we have followed an intimate and emergent process of working with the community, following principles of deep engagement, inclusivity, collaboration and trust.  In wanting to support the skills, experiences, psychosocial needs, aspirations and dreams of people in the community, we recognise also the centrality of nurturing full and open participation with community members to develop shared values to guide every step of the way forward. We want our ecosystem to embody and reflect the diverse values, knowledge, assets, strengths and dreams of our community, so that the relationships and dynamics of the environment support children, families and community members and the thriving of the ecosystem.

The dream of a family centre will ultimately be a vision that is held by the community. From the word go, we have worked hand in hand with the Vukuzenzele community to navigate complex challenges and create circles of support around young children. In 2024, we wove a new colour thread into the tapestry we are weaving with the community, when we started our art therapy workshops in partnership with sp(i)eel arts therapies collective. This partnership has enabled us to plant the seeds of change in a unique and beautiful way. The workshops have brought children, youth, adults and elders from the community into a common space where we play and dance and dream and create visions together, holding our strengths and vulnerabilities together in the circle. Through these sessions, we are discovering what it means to hold one another and work together as a community. 

We began this process with hosting and conducting crafting sessions with parents, beginning to form a school community that embraces a common ethos. Now through the arts therapy workshops, we are expanding new concentric circles of inclusivity and support out further into the wider community, reaching younger and older children, youth, elders and other community members. These gatherings are starting to provide the structure, capacities and cohesion to enable people within the community to step up and take leadership. As of 2024, a community led task team was formed to lead the community’s participation in the development of the family centre. As communities across South Africa face enormous needs, the capabilities of striving together for a better future become crucial, requiring good, strong and constructive leadership. The core team will be responsible and constantly aware of the need to focus on developing the leadership that is required to create community, within and alongside the centre.