The Mirrors Programme has launched Cohort 21 of its Community Programme Leadership Academy (CPLA), kicking off the 2026/27 programme year with the Positivity Project, a youth-led mental wellness initiative designed to create positive change within Bermuda’s schools.
Cohort 21 brings together Emerging Leaders representing The Berkeley Institute, CedarBridge Academy, Sandys Secondary Middle School and the Adult Education School. Through CPLA, participants will build their confidence, leadership abilities and social-emotional skills while putting those skills into action within their schools and communities.
At the launch, Emerging Leaders received their first challenge: to design and implement three Positivity Project campaigns within their school communities over the course of the year:
- Awareness (November 2026)
- Support (February 2027)
- Connection (May 2027)
Moving from awareness to support to connection, the campaigns will give young people a platform to use their voices and creativity to promote mental wellness, encourage peer support and help foster stronger, more connected school communities.
The launch also featured conversations on youth mental health with the Youth Mental Health Advisory Board and Dr. Daniel Cavanagh, encouraging Emerging Leaders to consider how they can prioritize their own wellbeing, support their peers and positively influence the environments around them.
Kim Jackson, Programme Manager at The Mirrors Programme said, “The Positivity Project puts leadership into action from the very beginning. Our Emerging Leaders are not simply learning about leadership; they are being given the opportunity to use their voices to promote awareness, support and connection among their peers.”
The Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, The Hon. Tinée Furbert JP, MP said, “What is particularly powerful about this initiative is that our young people are not simply being asked to participate in conversations about mental wellness; they are being equipped and challenged to lead them. I congratulate our Emerging Leaders for stepping forward and encourage them to use their voices, creativity and leadership to make a meaningful difference within their school communities.”
Throughout Cohort 21, Emerging Leaders will participate in weekly Life Coaching, leadership and personal development, community service, Restorative Circle training with CURB, financial literacy with The Lumina Festival and public speaking with Toastmasters. The programme also includes a five-day residential leadership experience on Grace Island in October, with ongoing development and support continuing through June 2027.
The Mirrors Programme aims to increase positive life outcomes for Bermuda’s young people, with a focus on education, employment and criminal justice, while building confidence, life skills and healthy youth-adult relationships.
Mirrors is currently recruiting volunteer Life Coaches to support Cohort 21. No previous coaching experience is required, and training is provided. Register for a Volunteer Info Session at: https://form.jotform.com/mirrorsbda/volunteer-info-session
