1. Agreement to Terms

Welcome to Change Outreach. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our website, services, and any related applications or platforms (collectively, the "Services") operated by Change Outreach ("we," "us," or "our").

By accessing or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy, as well as all applicable South African laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA), the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA), and regulations of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

These Terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use our Services.

2. Description of Services

Change Outreach provides community development, education, support services, and counseling services in accordance with South African healthcare standards and HPCSA regulations. Our Services include:

• Professional counseling and therapy services by HPCSA-registered practitioners
• Community outreach and education programs
• Online resources and information
• Appointment booking and scheduling
• Partnership opportunities for organizations
• Donation processing and fundraising activities
• Newsletter and communication services

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of our Services with reasonable notice as required by the Consumer Protection Act.

3. User Accounts and Registration

To access certain features of our Services, you may be required to create an account or provide personal information. When creating an account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of your account credentials
• Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or are inactive for extended periods.

4. Acceptable Use Policy

You agree to use our Services only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You agree not to:

• Violate any applicable laws, regulations, or third-party rights
• Use our Services for any fraudulent or unauthorized purpose
• Transmit any harmful, offensive, or inappropriate content
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or networks
• Interfere with or disrupt the operation of our Services
• Collect or harvest personal information from other users
• Use automated systems to access our Services without permission
• Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation

5. Counseling and Professional Services

5.1 Professional Standards

Our counseling services adhere to:

• HPCSA ethical guidelines and professional conduct standards
• South African healthcare quality and safety requirements
• Continuing professional development requirements
• Professional indemnity insurance coverage

5.2 Scope of Practice and Limitations

Please understand the following limitations of our services:

• Not Emergency Services: Our services are not intended for psychiatric emergencies. In crisis situations, contact emergency services (10177) or the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) helpline
• Diagnosis Limitations: Only qualified psychiatrists and clinical psychologists may provide formal psychiatric diagnoses
• Medication: We do not prescribe medication. Medication-related needs will be referred to appropriate medical professionals
• Scope Boundaries: Services are provided within the registered scope of practice of each practitioner

5.3 Confidentiality and Privacy (POPIA Compliance)

In accordance with POPIA and professional ethics:

• All client information is kept strictly confidential
• Information is only shared with explicit consent or as required by South African law
• Records are maintained securely and in compliance with POPIA requirements
• You have the right to access your records as per POPIA provisions

5.4 Mandatory Reporting

As required by South African law, we may be obligated to report certain situations including:

• Child abuse or neglect (Children's Act 38 of 2005)
• Imminent danger to self or others
• Court-ordered disclosures
• Other circumstances as mandated by South African legislation

6. Payment Terms and Consumer Rights

6.1 Payment for Services

Payment terms for our services are as follows:

• Counseling sessions: Payment is due at the time of service or as agreed upon in advance
• Donations: All donations are voluntary and non-refundable unless required by law
• Program fees: Payment schedules will be clearly communicated in advance
• All prices are quoted in South African Rand (ZAR) and include applicable VAT where required
• Payments are processed through secure third-party providers
• You are responsible for any applicable taxes
• We reserve the right to change our fees with reasonable notice

6.2 Refund Policy (CPA Compliance)

In accordance with the Consumer Protection Act:

• Cooling-off Period: You have the right to cancel certain services within 5 business days without penalty
• Service Quality: If services do not meet reasonable quality standards, you may be entitled to a refund or remedy
• Cancellation Rights: You may cancel ongoing services with reasonable notice as per CPA requirements
• Refund Processing: Approved refunds will be processed within 30 business days
• Emergency Services: Crisis intervention and emergency counseling services are non-refundable due to their immediate nature
• Cancellation at least 24 hours before scheduled appointment
• Service provider cancellation or unavailability
• Technical issues preventing service delivery

6.3 Medical Aid and Insurance

We accept payment from South African medical aid schemes where applicable. Please verify coverage with your medical aid provider before receiving services. You remain responsible for any amounts not covered by your medical aid.

7. Intellectual Property Rights

The Services and their original content, features, and functionality are and will remain the exclusive property of Change Outreach and its licensors. The Services are protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws.

You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works of, publicly display, publicly perform, republish, download, store, or transmit any of our content without our prior written consent.

You retain ownership of any content you submit to us, but you grant us a license to use, modify, and display such content in connection with our Services.

8. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

By using our Services, you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as described in our Privacy Policy.

9. Disclaimers

Our Services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We make no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding:

• The accuracy, completeness, or reliability of our Services
• The availability or uninterrupted operation of our Services
• The security of our systems or protection against unauthorized access
• The results or outcomes from using our Services

We disclaim all warranties, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Change Outreach shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:

• Loss of profits, data, or business opportunities
• Personal injury or property damage
• Emotional distress or mental anguish
• Any other damages arising from your use of our Services

Our total liability to you for all claims shall not exceed the amount you paid us in the twelve months preceding the claim.

11. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Change Outreach and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, or debt arising from your use of our Services or violation of these Terms.

12. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your access to our Services immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including but not limited to:

• Breach of these Terms
• Violation of applicable laws
• Fraudulent or harmful activity
• Extended periods of inactivity

Upon termination, your right to use our Services will cease immediately, but provisions that should survive termination will remain in effect.

13. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa, including the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of our Services shall be resolved through:

• Good faith negotiation between the parties
• Mediation through accredited South African mediation services
• The Consumer Tribunal or appropriate South African courts
• Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms as provided by South African law

14. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material, we will:

• Provide at least 30 days notice prior to any new terms taking effect
• Post the updated Terms on our website
• Send notification to registered users when possible

Your continued use of our Services after the effective date of any changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

15. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. The invalid provision will be replaced with a valid provision that most closely reflects the intent of the original provision.

16. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: