School time is here, and we are here to support. |
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Back to School with Family Centre |
Hello Fall! It’s Back to School Time in Bermuda.
Whether starting school for the first time, or starting a new school year, this can be an overwhelming time for our children. It is important to openly communicate with your children and teens about their day and let them share any concerns and celebrations they may have. If your child struggles to communicate their feelings, look out for any new behaviours that could indicate an issue like acting out, withdrawing, or frequent complaints of headaches, stomachaches, and tiredness. Ask teachers for support surrounding academic struggles, and you can always reach out to your child's student services department and/or Family Centre for social, emotional, or behavioural concerns.
Getting back into the rhythm of school can be a difficult adjustment for children and parents alike. Here are some back-to-school tips to help you get back into the swing of things. Read on to find out more about upcoming groups that will help support your child, and help you to develop positive parenting strategies so you and your child can thrive. Download Our Tips
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Screen Time and Positive Alternatives |
With so much of our children’s lives taking place online, excessive screen time is a growing concern for parents. Family Centre offers positive alternatives to screen time. Check out our therapeutic groups, like "Super-Parenting" and "Girl Code", that help to develop your child’s social skills, emotional resilience, and encourage them to build healthy relationships. Encourage your Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy students to join us for our Beyond Rugby Programme, where they can benefit from sports, mentorship, and teamwork. If you have a child attending Dellwood Middle School, check out our Beyond Yoga programme which helps adolescents develop mindfulness and self-regulation skills.
This November, look out for Family Centre Executive Director, Dr. Sandy De Silva’s, Op-Ed on Safeguarding Our Children in a Digital World to learn more on how to keep our children safe and healthy in a digital age. |
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“Girl Code” is a fun and empowering week-long group for girls ages 12-14, offering a safe space to explore critical topics such as self-esteem, mental health, and relationships. The group is facilitated by clinically trained staff who provide therapeutic support, with sessions focusing on emotional regulation, self- expression, problem-solving strategies, and healthy coping skills. Discussions will be brought to life through creative arts, group activities, and fun, engaging experiences. Register now! Limited spaces are available. Girl Code October 20-24, 2025 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM at Family Centre
For more information, fill out the inquiry form, or contact Family Centre and speak with our screener. Call (441) 232-1116 or email info@tfc.bm. |
| Super-Parenting is for children ages 4-11 and their parents/guardians, that will run weekly on Mondays. The group will support parents in learning how to utilize supportive tools and techniques to deal with challenging behaviour and tough feelings, while aiding the children in practicing social skills that will make a difference in their family relationships.
The sign up deadline has been extended to September 29, 2025! Spaces are limited. Super-Parenting
September 15 - November 10, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Family Centre A light dinner is served from 5:30-6:00 PM, and childcare is provided.
For more information, please contact Family Centre and speak with our screener. Call (441) 232-1116 or email info@tfc.bm. |
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| Now Recruiting for the Beyond Rugby Bermuda Barracudas!
Students attending CedarBridge Academy and The Berkeley Institute are invited to join Family Centre's Beyond Rugby Bermuda afterschool programme on Mondays and Wednesdays starting on October 13. Participants receive coaching, transportation, meals, academic and personal development support - at no cost to families. Be There. Be Brave. Be You. Go Beyond! Learn more: https://tfc.bm/beyondrugby |
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The Power of Collaboration: Family Centre & SkillCraft |
Meet Syesha Sampson: a Beyond Rugby S4 student at The Berkeley Institute, and Family Centre's Social Media Marketing Intern for the summer through a special partnership with SkillCraft! Syesha has a passion for mental health and a mission to empower Bermuda's youth. She is using her voice and creativity to bring light to Beyond Rugby Bermuda's many benefits for students and parents.
Partnering with SkillCraft Bermuda provided an opportunity for Syesha to develop the skills needed to elevate Beyond Rugby's social media presence. Check out some of Syesha's amazing work below! Follow @beyond_rugby on Instagram for more.
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Youth Leadership Academy: Empowering the Future |
YLA Foundations - Summer Social Impact Project Presentations at AXA XL |
Over the summer in Family Centre’s three-phase Youth Leadership Academy programme, our newest cohort of students in Phase 2: YLA Foundations were challenged to create Social Impact projects on topics they care about and speak directly to community leaders to create change. This year's projects focused on: -
How the Cost of Living in Bermuda Impacts Youth - collecting youth survey responses on how the cost of living impacts their peers
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Youth Against Violence - illuminating the emotional, psychological, and physiological impacts of community violence on young people
- Teen Bash Series - a proposal for safe social events for teens who lack third spaces
Please encourage young people you know between the ages of 12-19, to complete the Youth Cost of Living Survey. Our YLA students’ goal is to receive 100 survey responses and present their data results to Bermuda’s Minister of Home Affairs, Alexa Lightbourne. |
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Building My Future - Best First Year Presentation: Midas Williams |
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Building My Future - Best First Year Presentation: Amaiah Jimenez |
| Building My Future - Top Male Award: Zaeviun Lauder |
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In August, our Phase 3: YLA Community students had the opportunity to gain real world working experience through the 'Building My Future' Summer Internship programme. Congratulations to all on the progress made and real-world skills gained. |
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We were proud to see 13 students graduate from our 9th cohort of the YLA programme. This group was unique because they started YLA in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and experienced more changes than any other cohort. They rose to the occasion, and we were happy to celebrate their success!
Read more on Bernews |
| Deneca Zuill with Kemoni Clarke, YLA 2025 Graduate |
Family Centre’s Community Team Leader, Deneca Zuill on YLA Graduates:
“Each graduate encountered significant obstacles throughout their high school years that could have easily derailed their progress. Yet, with determination and the unwavering support of their communities, they confronted those challenges head-on and defied the odds.” |
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Family Centre Advocacy in the Community |
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Youth Mental Health Legislation: A Panel Discussion
Family Centre’s Executive Director, Dr. Sandy De Silva, will join a panel of distinguished experts for a discussion on Youth Mental Health Legislation. Monday, October 6, 2025
6:00 – 7:30 PM BUEI This free, public event will explore laws, rights, and the future of youth mental health policy in Bermuda. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, ask questions, and support the wellbeing of our young people.
RSVP at www.bermudaislove.com. |
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Youth Mental Health Town Hall: Social Media, Self-Harm, and Violence Join the Conversation on Youth Mental Health! Family Centre’s Executive Director, Dr. Sandy De Silva, will join a panel of experts at the Youth Mental Health Town Hall to discuss “Self-Harm and Violence on Social Media”. Wednesday, October 15, 2025
6:00 – 7:30 PM Bermuda College, Room G301
This free, open community discussion will explore how social media impacts young people’s mental health, with a special focus on self-harm and violence. Don’t miss this important conversation. All are welcome! |
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Bermuda Mental Health Foundation "Balancing Life and Mind” 2-Day Mental Health Conference
The Bermuda Mental Health Foundation (BMHF)'s 2-Day Hybrid Conference, “Balancing Life and Mind” is scheduled for October 29 and 30, 2025. This important event will feature 31 expert speakers presenting on 25 critical mental health topics, designed to advance education, reduce stigma, and build community around mental health and wellness in Bermuda.
Family Centre’s Director of Counselling Services, Susan Richardson and Counselling Team Leader, Rishèe Paschal will present a session on Trauma-Informed Care & Post-Pandemic Healing, on day two of the conference. Day 1 – Virtual (Wednesday, October 29, 2025, | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Day 2 – In-Person at BUEI (Thursday, October 30, 2025, | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM) Register now. All are welcome! |
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Family Favourites - Three Years Running! |
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Family Centre is thrilled to be voted Best Family Support Service in The Bermudian 2025 Family Favourites Awards! For three years in a row, you have chosen us for this honour, and we couldn't be more grateful. Thank you!
Family Centre provides counselling services and wraparound support for families with children ages 4-18, plus community outreach programmes for students, all offered at no cost to families, thanks to support from generous donors like you.
Read our 2024 Impact Report to learn more. |
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Cup Match Tag Day Highlights |
This year, we celebrated 26 years of raising critical funds for our counselling services and community outreach programmes through Family Centre's Cup Match Tag Day. Together, we raised over $54,000, which enables Bermuda's children, teens, and families to access Family Centre's therapeutic resources free of charge.
A big thank you to our 124 individual volunteers who filled 163 tagging spots at 16 locations across the island, from Somerset to St. George’s! Special thanks to our 4 Tag Day “Takeovers”: PwC, Argo, Government House, and Bermuda Conference Women’s Missionary Society of the AME Church. Thank you Bermuda for sharing the Cup Match spirit and Family Centre ribbons across the island. Check out one of our favourite moments with Premier David Burt, Dr. Sandy De Silva, Jenn Wild of Clarien Bank and Family Centre Relationship Development Director, Thania Redman, who clearly could not handle all the red and blue inside the Cabinet Office!
We are so thankful for the Government of Bermuda's support of our mission to strengthen Bermuda's families and Clarien Bank for being our Title Sponsor of Cup Match Tag Day. |
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Calling all superheroes! We're on a mission to ensure every child and teen gets the support they need, but we need YOUR help to make it happen! |
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| Beyond Rugby Bermuda
Support youth learning and development! Sign up now to help high school students with homework, school assignments, personal and professional development. We are particularly looking for volunteers proficient in high school level Math*, Science and Spanish. Programme starts October 13 and runs Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:45 – 4:45 PM. Sign up now to Volunteer!
* High School Math is our #1 most needed subject area. |
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| Butterfield Bermuda Championship
Enjoy a unique behind-the-scenes experience and help us to strengthen vulnerable children and families in Bermuda! Sign up as a charity volunteer for Family Centre at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship and get to witness some of the world’s greatest golfers play inside the ropes. Learn more at tfc.bm/pga
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Youth Mental Health Legislation: A Panel Discussion – October 6 – RSVP
Beyond Rugby Bermuda – Fall Term Starts October 13 – Volunteer
Youth Mental Health Town Hall: Social Media, Self-Harm, and Violence – October 15
BMHF Balancing Life and Mind Conference – October 29-30, 2025 – Register
Butterfield Bermuda Championship – November 13-16, 2025 – Volunteer
World Children’s Day Denim Day – Friday, November 21, 2025
Family Centre 35th Anniversary Signature Event – April 2026 – RSVP |
Thank you for joining us in our mission to facilitate healing, hope, and connection to strengthen families and create a healthier Bermuda for our children.
Forward this email to your colleagues, family, and friends! |
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Our Contact Information
Family Centre
Sunshine League House
27 King Street
Pembroke HM19
(441) 232-1116
www.tfc.bm
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Bermuda Registered Charity #378 |
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