GibSams provides its Outreach service to numerous organisations in our community that come into contact with persons that have a high-risk of experiencing emotional distress because of their circumstances, including Gibraltar’s youth.
Educational Establishments and Youth Services
Our Outreach volunteers visit and work with schools, college and youth groups to deliver presentations to young people.
These presentations focus on promoting an awareness of their emotional health and mental wellbeing, the value of active listening, coping strategies (to reduce self-harm and exam stress), and being aware of how their peers who could be in distress.
We provide them with information about GibSams and other relevant organisations, the importance of seeking emotional and mental support, and details of how to access this in Gibraltar and in the UK.
To find out more and book a session on behalf of your school, college or youth group, please contact us at outreach@gibsams.gi.
Buddy Bench
In 2018, GibSams collaborated with the Department of Education and Bishop Fitzgerald Upper Primary School to launch its Buddy Bench initiative.
Since then, our Outreach team has collaborated with other schools to implement Buddy Benches and to deliver presentations to students on their underlying principles of kindness, inclusivity and empathy. Students are taught that these principles may be used by them at all times, not just in a playground setting where the Bench is physically present.
Pictured left: Buddy Bench and accompanying mural at St. Bernard’s Upper Primary School based on students’ designs painted by GibSams volunteer, and 2022 Cultural Award winner, Naomi Duarte.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival
In 2022, GibSams collaborated with the Department of Education and Gibraltar’s government and private schools to sponsor and help implement Gibraltar’s first Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival provided by UK youth mental health charity Beyond. The festival involved activities, dedicated lessons, and presentations delivered virtually and in person in Gibraltar’s schools by local and visiting speakers on a range of subjects, and benefitted schools’ staff, students, and their caregivers as well.
