Sisonke Together in Wellness: Building Solidarity Through Group Work

Sesihle MathebulaAs part of my school social work internship at Nokuphila School, I had the privilege of facilitating Sisonke Together in Wellness, an eight-session group work programme with the school’s housekeeping staff. Rooted in the spirit of Sisonke—meaning “together”—the programme aimed to promote well-being, strengthen interpersonal relationships, and cultivate solidarity through participatory, strengths-based, and play-informed social work practice.Across the eight sessions, participants took part in a variety of activities designed to encourage reflection, dialogue, creativity, and mutual support. Guided by participatory group work principles, the programme combined facilitated discussions with creative activities such as working with coloured clay and reflective drawing. It also incorporated play-based exercises, including hula hoop challenges, collaborative team games using mini floor poles, and other interactive activities.These methods were intentionally chosen to create an inclusive and engaging environment in which participants could express themselves freely, strengthen teamwork, build trust, and learn from…