Health and wellbeing education
across HIV, mental health, gender, substance use, rights, inclusion and more
South Africa
South Africa is the birthplace of Higher Health and the foundation on which the Skills4Living model was built. For more than a decade, Higher Health South Africa has supported millions of students across universities, TVET colleges and community settings through a large-scale programme focused on health, wellbeing and essential life skills.
Working across a diverse and complex education system, the South African programme has shown how prevention, peer support and skills-based learning can transform student wellbeing at scale. This proven model continues to inform and strengthen the UK programme today.
A national system for wellbeing and life skills
Higher Health South Africa collaborates with government, public health partners, universities and skills institutions to deliver a coordinated national approach to student wellbeing.
This integrated model has reached over one million young people, becoming one of the largest higher education wellbeing initiatives in the Global South.
A model that shaped Skills4Living UK
The UK Skills4Living curriculum is rooted in the success of the South African programme but carefully adapted to the UK’s context, needs and education systems. Key elements carried across include:
- Skills-based learning focused on confidence, resilience and health
- Peer-led approaches that strengthen belonging and community
- Prevention-focused education grounded in real-life challenges
- Partnerships between health, education and civil society
This shared foundation allows learning to flow in both directions, enriching both countries’ approaches to wellbeing and essential life skills.
Global partnership and impact
Higher Health South Africa plays a central role in international collaboration on youth wellbeing, particularly through its longstanding work with UNESCO. This includes contributing to global initiatives on gender equality, mental health, digital citizenship and youth empowerment.
The strength of the South African experience underpins Higher Health’s growing international work, helping shape programmes that improve health, skills and opportunity for young people worldwide.