In Bermuda, we often talk about what we want for young people — confidence, resilience and the ability to navigate life and find their place in the world. For many, though, those outcomes don’t come easily. Some young people struggle in traditional environments. Others don’t have access to consistent support or the kind of conditions that help them build confidence. Often, it’s not a lack of potential — it’s a lack of opportunity to develop the skills that underpin long-term success.

At Amber’s Wings, that’s where the work starts. Our mission is to enhance the wellbeing and quality of life of individuals through the transformative power of animals.

Many of the young people we work with are navigating anxiety, grief, trauma or social and emotional challenges that make it harder to engage and feel confident in school and other structured settings.

This is something we’re seeing more clearly across Bermuda. There is growing recognition of the impact that adverse childhood experiences can have on long-term outcomes, and the 2022 National Adolescent Mental Health Survey found that one in three young people reported diagnosable symptoms of depression. It underscores the need for earlier support, delivered in a way that works for young people — on their terms.

The approach of Amber’s Wings is grounded in a simple idea: every young person has strengths — what we call their “inner gold”. Our role is to create the conditions where those strengths can surface and grow.

And that happens through equine-assisted learning — a model that is hands-on, relational and rooted in the present moment. Horses respond instinctively. They don’t react to what’s said so much as how someone shows up. For young people, that creates a different kind of feedback loop — immediate, honest and often easier to take in than a classroom or conversation.

It’s not clinical therapy, and it’s not a traditional classroom setting. It sits somewhere else.

It’s a space where young people can build self-awareness, learn to regulate their emotions, and develop confidence in a way that feels real. Not instructed, but experienced.

And that distinction is important.

Because the skills being developed here — confidence, communication, emotional awareness and the ability to manage pressure — shape how young people move through the world. They influence how they engage at school, in relationships and eventually in the workplace.

Over the past year, Amber’s Wings has worked with approximately 60 young people across its programmes, through a mix of one-to-one sessions, group workshops and immersive experiences. Demand for this kind of support continues to grow, with capacity now exceeding available places.

For the young people who come to Amber’s Wings, the impact is clear. Participants are most commonly referred for low impulse control, high anxiety and low self-esteem. Pre- and post-programme screening shows measurable improvements in anxiety, emotional regulation and confidence, with stronger engagement at school and improved focus in learning.

For some, it’s the first time they have felt successful in a way that actually sticks.

That shift — however small it might seem at the start — changes how they see themselves. And once that shifts, other things tend to follow.

Of course, no single organisation can do this alone. Amber’s Wings works alongside government, schools, families and community partners, with young people often referred through educators and service providers, so support is more consistent and connected.

Because the reality is this: outcomes for young people are shaped by more than academics.

Access to support, exposure to different experiences, early intervention and the opportunity to build core life skills all play a role. When those things are missing, the impact is felt over time — not just by individuals, but across the community.

At its core, Amber’s Wings is about creating space for young people to recognise what is already there — and to build the confidence and skills to use it.

And when enough young people find their stride, it strengthens the future of Bermuda.

• Heidi Michelsen is executive director of Amber’s Wings, a charity that works alongside government, schools, families and community partners. This op-ed is part of the Third Sector Spotlight Series, a collective campaign coordinated by the Non-Profit Alliance of Bermuda. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the value, impact and contributions of Bermuda’s non-profit sector