A youth personal development programme is working to bring “positive change within Bermuda’s schools” to mark the start of its 2026-27 year.

The Mirrors Programme has launched Cohort 21 of its Community Programme Leadership Academy with the Positivity Project, a youth-led mental wellness initiative.

The cohort brought together representatives from The Berkeley Institute, CedarBridge Academy, Sandys Secondary Middle School and the Adult Education School.

The CPLA is aimed at building confidence and leadership while putting social and emotional skills into action.

Participants got their first challenge: to design and implement three Positivity Project campaigns in their school communities over the course of the year — themed “awareness” for November 2026, “support” for February 2027 and “connection” for May 2027.

The launch included talks with the Youth Mental Health Advisory Board and Daniel Cavanagh of the Bermuda College.

Kim Jackson, the Mirrors programme manager, said of the Positivity Project: “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 group was congratulated by Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, who said young people were “not simply being asked to participate in conversations about mental wellness; they are being equipped and challenged to lead them”.

The Cohort 21 group will take part in weekly life coaching, leadership and personal development, community service and restorative circle training with Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda, along with financial literacy through the Lumina Festival and public speaking with Toastmasters.

The programme comes with a five-day residential leadership experience on Grace Island in October, with development and support continuing through June 2027.