About
A foundation devoted
to human flourishing.
A South African non-profit advancing mental wellbeing through accessible, evidence-informed education.
Our story
Wellbeing is a skill.
The Foundation was established to widen access to practical mental wellbeing skills — across schools, workplaces and communities — and to position wellbeing as something that can be learned, practised and grown.
We work alongside educators, leaders and community partners to ensure that the people who need these skills most are the ones who receive them first.
Mission
To empower individuals with the knowledge, skills and tools to improve mental wellbeing and resilience across personal, educational and professional life stages.
Vision
A society where individuals and communities possess the skills, resilience and support needed to flourish.
What guides us
Five values.
One commitment.
01
Empowerment
02
Inclusion
03
Growth
04
Evidence-Informed Practice
05
Community Impact
Founder
Navlika Varma.
Forthcoming
Navlika Varma is a psychologist and mental health leader who served as Managing Director of Lyra South Africa, where she led workplace mental health solutions for organisations across the country. The Foundation extends that work beyond the workplace — into schools, families and communities.
Navlika Varma founded the Foundation with a singular conviction: that the skills which most determine the quality of a life — how we relate, how we cope, how we connect — should be available to everyone, not only to those who can afford them.
That conviction continues to shape every programme the Foundation delivers.
Governance & Transparency
Accountable by design.
Funders, schools and community partners are entitled to know how the Foundation is governed, how decisions are made, and how funds are applied. We publish only what we can verify, and update this section as our status changes.
Registration status
NPO registration
The Navlika Varma Foundation's NPO registration application is currently in progress. Application reference: APPL26-165332.
Public Benefit Organisation (PBO)
Registration in progress.
Section 18A
Registration in progress. No tax-deductibility claim is made until confirmed.
Board & oversight
The Foundation is establishing its governance body. Details of board members and advisers will be published once appointments are confirmed.
Governing documents
Constitution and core policies available to funders and partners on request.
Our governance principles
Ethical programme delivery
Programmes are designed and facilitated within clear professional and ethical boundaries. The Foundation delivers education and skills-building, not clinical treatment, and refers appropriately where clinical care is needed.
Safeguarding & beneficiary protection
Work involving young people and vulnerable participants is conducted under a safeguarding policy covering consent, conduct, supervision and reporting.
Financial accountability
Funds are received, recorded and applied against defined programme purposes, with reporting to funders on how their contribution was used.
Participant dignity & privacy
Personal information and participant stories are handled with consent, care and restraint, in line with data protection principles.
Conflict of interest
Decisions are made in the interest of beneficiaries. Conflicts of interest are declared and managed, and programme control remains with the Foundation.
Monitoring & evaluation
Programmes are measured against agreed outcomes — verified figures only. Where evidence is still being gathered, we say so rather than estimate.
Reports & statements
Annual reports, impact reports and financial statements will be published here as they are produced — in preparation.
A wider body of work
One conviction, expressed in three ways.
The Foundation sits alongside Elevana, which builds organisational capability and sustainable performance, and Navlika Varma’s leadership, speaking and advisory work. The Foundation is distinct in purpose: it exists for social impact and human flourishing, and its programmes are governed independently of any commercial activity.