Little Lions Fellowship: LLet's Talk.
Training and Empowering Local Youth to Become Mental Health Advocates
Our Goal
At the core of Little Lions Child Coaching is a commitment to creating safe, nurturing spaces for children within the heart of their communities.
The Let’s Talk Fellowship exists to empower youth, local role models, parents, and teachers with the tools, language, and confidence to support children’s mental and emotional well-being.
Through this fellowship, we aim to normalize conversations around mental health, break down stigma, and cultivate a network of equipped individuals who can actively create safe, supportive environments where children feel seen, heard, and valued.
Our Mission
To train and support young people to become confident mental health advocates who can create safe spaces for children and lead meaningful conversations within their communities.
Our Vision
A growing network of young leaders actively shaping communities where mental health is understood, supported, and integrated into everyday life.
Youth Mental Health Advocates: Our Reach Since 2024
44 youth mental health advocates equipped since 2024 — normalising mental health conversations in homes, workplaces and communities across Cape Town. Our aim: increase the dosage of people equipped with these skills until every corner of the city, and eventually the province, carries a dot like these.
Why This Matters
South Africa faces a critical mental health crisis, with limited access to professional care—especially in underserved communities.
The Let’s Talk Fellowship responds through a task-shifting approach, equipping young people already embedded in their communities to become mental health advocates. By doing so, we extend support into everyday spaces such as schools, homes, and community settings—making mental health care more accessible, culturally relevant, and sustainable.
What the Fellowship Offers
- A fully funded 12-month fellowship
- A cohort of 50 fellows
- Transport stipend (up to R100 per session)
- Daily lunch provided during sessions
- Conversation Starter Toolkit to support real-life engagement
- Opportunity to co-host a sponsored community mental health event
Access to a growing alumni network with ongoing support, including booster sessions in 2027
Programme Structure
The fellowship includes 7 core engagements, combining training, practice, and community implementation:
Core Training Sessions
- Understanding Mental Health
- Communication Skills I: Creating safe spaces
- Communication Skills II: Practicing dialogue
- Boundaries & Role Modelling
- Integrating Your Skills into Practice
Who Should Apply
We are looking for passionate, community-driven individuals ready to lead change.
Applicants must:
- Be between the ages of 18 and 35 years
- Reside in Cape Town and surrounding areas
- Not have previously been a Little Lions Fellow
- Demonstrate a genuine willingness to work with and support children
- Have experience in or interest in:
- Community work and/or social activism
- Content creation, influencing, or independent platforms
Demonstrate strong communication, facilitation, and public speaking skills
Our Impact
Through this fellowship, we aim to:
- Increase mental health literacy among youth and communities
- Create safe spaces where stigma is reduced and dialogue is encouraged
- Equip young leaders with transferable skills in communication, facilitation, and emotional intelligence
Build local capacity to support mental health in the absence of professional services
Join the Movement
Be part of a growing network of young leaders creating real change—one conversation, one safe space, one community at a time.
Reach
children
Train
role models
Establish