Supreme Counselling launches pop-up series to confront youth violence

Supreme Counselling for Personal Development (SCPD) has taken its work directly into the community with the launch of Reach One, Save One, a pop-up community outreach programme aimed at igniting change, strengthening families and developing the future of our young people across Barbados.

The first in the series was held at Bush Hall Community Park on Saturday, where residents gathered for interactive activities, information-sharing and private consultations with counsellors.

Supreme Counselling’s Chief Executive Officer, Shawn Clarke, said the initiative represents a new, more visible phase in the organisation’s longstanding mission to support young people and families in crisis.

“This is about showing up in the community, right where people live,” Clarke said. “Too often, families in need don’t know where to turn, or they assume help is out of reach. Through these pop-ups, we are saying: you are not alone, and support is available.”

The Bush Hall event combined youth-focused, hands-on activities. Families were also offered free 15-minute one-on-one sessions with psychologists, giving them a confidential space to raise concerns ranging from behavioural issues to parenting challenges.

Clarke emphasised that these interactions serve as both an entry point to longer-term counselling and a way to reduce stigma around seeking help.

“Our work covers a wide range of issues such as anger management, conflict resolution, grief, abuse, bullying and family breakdown,” Clarke explained. “Sometimes when you really get to the heart of it, you often discover that what looks like anger is actually something else. Anger is the easiest emotion to display, but beneath it may be depression, loneliness or deep frustration. If we can identify those root causes early, we have a much better chance of turning lives around.”

Supreme Counselling CEO, Shawn Clarke, at the launch of Reach One, Save One’s inaugural community pop-up outreach initiative.

Clarke, who has led Supreme Counselling for more than 16 years, has long been vocal about gaps in how Barbados addresses youth behaviour. One issue he highlighted is school suspensions.

“I firmly believe that suspending a child from school without any kind of intervention is an injustice,” Clarke said. “We are essentially sending them home unsupervised, often into environments filled with negative influences. When they return to school, they are not better equipped, but in some cases, they may even be worse. That is why structured intervention outside of the programme at Edna Nichols Centre is absolutely critical.”

Supreme Counselling has also developed a range of preventive and rehabilitative programmes to address these gaps, including parental education sessions, psychological assessments and counselling for both children and adults.

While the Bush Hall pop-up marked the first in the series, Clarke said, “it is only the beginning of a wider national effort. The organisation plans to expand to other communities, including The Pine, with the support of local leaders, churches and other groups.”

Clarke continued, “our aim is to build a sustainable movement that keeps young people engaged and connected to positive influences, and when we work with community leaders and partner organisations, the impact multiplies because residents see familiar faces alongside us.”

Clarke also noted that the choice of Bush Hall as the launch site was intentional and personal. “This is a community where I grew up, and I wanted to give back. It made sense to start here, ground the programme, and then grow it outward.”

Youth violence and antisocial behaviour remain pressing concerns in Barbados, and Clarke sees initiatives like Reach One, Save One as vital contributions to a broader national response. He stressed that crime prevention is not only a matter for law enforcement but also requires sustained social intervention.

“Too many of our young people have never been given the tools to deal with conflict from an early age,” he said. “We cannot wait until a problem becomes a crime before we act. If we want to change outcomes, we must give children and families resources and skills while there is still time.”

The outreach series builds on Supreme Counselling’s history of working quietly with schools, families and individuals in crisis. This is one of the main reasons listed for the organisation’s growth, as it comes from listening closely to the community and adapting programs to remain relevant.

“Every year, I look at what is happening in society and adjust our approach. This year, we are putting special focus on conflict resolution and resilience because that is where the need is greatest,” Clarke explained.

As the pop-up series moves forward, Clarke is optimistic about its potential to inspire long-term change. “If we reach one, we save one,” he said. “And if we keep doing that across communities, then step by step, we build a safer, stronger Barbados.” (DT)