Children’s mental health gaps persist as Workshop17 commits funding, people and community energy to Little Lions Loop, backing access to emotional support where services remain scarce.
In communities where child and adolescent mental health services are limited or non-existent, private sector participation is increasingly filling critical gaps. The return of Workshop17 to the Little Lions Loop in 2026 reflects a growing recognition that wellbeing — especially for children — is a shared social responsibility, not a side issue.
After first joining the Little Lions Loop in 2025 through a member introduction, the coworking community has deepened its commitment. For the 2026 event, taking place on 9 February, Workshop17 will sponsor 10 children’s mental health coaching sessions and mobilise its entire Cape Town network to participate.
The Little Lions Loop is a 5km walk and run raising funds for Little Lions Child Coaching, an organisation delivering practical mental health tools to children in communities including Khayelitsha and Mfuleni. For many of these children, structured emotional support would otherwise be inaccessible.
Little Lions Child Coaching works directly with children to help them understand emotions, build confidence and develop resilience at an early age. The organisation’s reach extends beyond the Western Cape, with partner programmes operating in George, Somerset West, Johannesburg, Nairobi and Eldoret — highlighting both the scale of the need and the adaptability of community-based mental health interventions.
Workshop17 says its involvement is rooted in a broader view of work and wellbeing as interconnected. Supporting children’s mental health is not seen as charity, but as long-term social investment.
“Wellbeing and mental health are core values at Workshop17,” said Marketing Manager Penelope Meniere. “Work doesn’t exist in isolation from life. When we can contribute to emotional wellbeing for children who might never otherwise access support, that’s something we believe in showing up for.”
The Little Lions Loop is intentionally inclusive, welcoming participants of all fitness levels. The focus is not on competition, but on collective action — using movement, visibility and community participation to support children’s mental health outcomes.
Each R250 donated funds a child’s participation in 12 structured mental health workshops, while R2,500 supports 10 children through a full programme. These interventions aim to equip children with coping tools early, reducing long-term risks associated with untreated emotional distress.
