Crime Stoppers Barbados conflict resolution programme to benefit 300+ secondary school students

The Sandals Foundation has partnered with Crime Stoppers Barbados for a secondary school-focused conflict resolution programme aptly titled Cool Yuh Head.

Cool Yuh Head, endorsed by Office of The Attorney General through the National Peace Programme, targets 300 students in two schools and takes them through a series of 40-minute sessions under the Health and Family Life curriculum – including a pre-assessment, conflict resolution session, programme review and post-assessment – geared at improving students’ interpersonal relationships and approaches to solving conflict.

Programme Director at Crime Stoppers Barbados, Kristen Deukett says Crime Stoppers Barbados takes a proactive approach in closing the gap created by the lack of regular programmes of this nature to develop Barbadian youth.

“Crime Stoppers Barbados aims to instil Barbadian youth with confidence, and the skills to overcome challenges and deal with conflict by providing positive redirection. We support the emotional well-being and intelligence of our youth.  What sets our programme apart from other programmes is that we maintain our presence within the school to inspire a positive shift in school culture, without which progress would be undermined, ” Deukett said.

“Crime Stoppers Barbados notes all the work Sandals Foundation has done in the Caribbean community – and assisting schools develop programmes to augment the students’ curriculum. Together, we can identify and address social issues affecting our youth and promote peace and ‘cooler heads’ in our secondary schools,” she continued.

Speaking at the launch of the programme, David Hinds, Public Relations Manager at Sandals Royal Barbados, said: “The Sandals Foundation is proud to stand behind this project because we firmly believe in the power of our young people to shape our world in a positive way if they are provided with the resources, know-how, and the capacity to take action.”

“We are honoured to collaborate with Crime Stoppers Barbados on this programme, and we are very grateful to be able to make a difference and contribute to the development of young Barbadians in this way,” he continued.

The Cool Yuh Head programme, first launched in 2011, has been successful in producing some 25 840 graduates who have developed healthier responses to manage strong emotions including anger. By learning how to trust each other, practising how to hold themselves and others accountable, graduates have improved their reaction to triggers, anger, and conflict, and are seeking help by confiding in trusted peers and adults.

The programme provides students with the tools they need to effectively, safely, and healthily deal with emotional responses and conflict whilst improving their interpersonal relationships and promoting a sense of community. During its tenure, Crime Stoppers Barbados’ facilitators provide one-on-one counsel to students and help them recommit to fulfilling their academic obligations.

The Sandals Foundation supports the holistic development of youth by investing in positive pathway programmes, mentorship, sports, music and other initiatives geared at empowering young people through the development of mental, psycho-social, academic, and critical life skills.

(PR)