TSH 101—Where Every Story Begins

A Youth Wellbeing Initiative Supporting 101 Young Nigerians

In 2026, Twayne Safe Haven is launching TSH 101, our first structured and fully documented youth wellbeing cohort designed to support 101 young Nigerians through guided community engagement, storytelling, and peer connection.

For over a decade, Twayne Safe Haven has provided a safe space where young people can share their experiences, feel seen, and build meaningful connections. TSH 101 represents an important step forward, moving from informal community support to a structured, scalable program model with measurable outcomes.

Why This Initiative Matters

Many young people experience emotional challenges, uncertainty, and social pressure without safe environments to express themselves or receive guidance. In Nigeria, mental health stigma remains significant, and access to professional support is often limited due to financial barriers and availability of services.

As a result, many young people struggle silently without early support or safe spaces to talk about what they are experiencing.

Community-based initiatives like TSH 101 help bridge this gap by providing supportive environments where young people can build confidence, develop emotional awareness, and connect with peers before challenges escalate.

What TSH 101 Includes

Participants will engage in a combination of online and physical activities, including:

  • Guided wellbeing and self-development sessions

  • Peer support and connection circles

  • Storytelling and self-expression activities

  • Reflection and growth exercises

  • Community connection experiences

  • Safe discussion environments with clear support pathways

Lagos will serve as the primary in-person hub, with participants also joining from multiple states across Nigeria.

Who Will Participate

  • Total Participants: 101 young people (cumulative across online and in-person activities)

  • Age Range: 18–30 years

  • Locations: Participants from Lagos and other states, including Delta, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Abuja, and surrounding regions.

  • Selection: Open application with simple screening to ensure participants are interested in personal growth, storytelling, and community engagement.

Program Structure

TSH 101 will run as a 4-week cohort experience combining online engagement and local connection activities.

Weeks 1–3: Online Connection & Growth

  • Guided wellbeing sessions

  • Peer support circles

  • Storytelling and self-reflection activities

  • Small group discussions

  • Relationship and trust building

Week 4: Community Connection & Reflection

  • Optional local hangouts organized by participants in different states

  • Lagos anchor in-person gathering (40–60 participants)

  • Reflection and celebration activities

  • Program closing conversations

Participants outside Lagos will continue engagement online while local gatherings take place in their regions.

Delivery Format

  • Online Sessions: Weekly (1–2 sessions per week)

  • Peer Circles: Small moderated groups

  • Local Hangouts: Participant-led with light support

  • In-Person Event: Lagos hub gathering

This hybrid approach allows broader participation while maintaining manageable costs.

Facilitation & Support

Sessions will be facilitated by:

  • Community facilitators from Twayne Safe Haven

  • Guest contributors with experience in youth development and wellbeing

  • Peer moderators supporting small group discussions

A basic referral pathway will be available for participants needing additional emotional support beyond the scope of the program.

Documentation & Learning

A key goal of TSH 101 is to document participant experiences through:

  • Video testimonials

  • Participant reflections

  • Photos and short stories

  • Session highlights

This documentation will help:

  • Capture authentic impact

  • Improve future programs

  • Share youth experiences with partners and supporters

  • Build a repeatable model for expansion

Swipe for more

  • What a Guided Session Includes

    Each guided session will last approximately 90 minutes and typically includes:

    Welcome and emotional check-in

    Facilitated discussion on a wellbeing topic

    Small group reflection or storytelling exercise

    Practical tools or self-reflection prompts

    Closing reflections and peer connection

    Example topics include self-confidence, identity, navigating stress, relationships, emotional awareness, and personal growth.

  • Facilitation & Moderation

    Sessions will be facilitated by 2 lead facilitators supported by 4–6 trained peer moderators.

    Moderators will be selected from experienced community members and will receive orientation covering:

    group facilitation skills

    active listening

    confidentiality boundaries

    responding to distress

    escalation and referral procedures

    Facilitators and moderators will receive ongoing support throughout the program.

  • Safeguarding & Referral Approach

    TSH 101 provides non-clinical peer support, not therapy or medical treatment.

    Participants will be informed about confidentiality expectations and limits, including situations where safety concerns require escalation.

    If a participant expresses serious distress, risk of harm, or requests professional help, facilitators will guide them toward appropriate support resources such as local mental health professionals, trusted community services, or available helplines. Emergency situations will be referred to appropriate local services.

    This approach ensures participant safety while maintaining clear program boundaries.

Program Timeline

TSH 101 Timeline

The TSH 101 project will run over approximately two months.

Weeks 1–2

Recruitment & Onboarding

Recruitment and onboarding will take place during the first two weeks, including participant selection, orientation, and preparation for the program.

Weeks 3–6

Program Delivery

Four weeks of program delivery will follow, including guided sessions, community activities, and participant engagement.

Week 7

Documentation & Participant Reflection

One week will be dedicated to documentation and participant reflection, capturing stories, insights, and key learning moments.

Week 8

Outputs Preparation & Reporting

The final week will focus on preparing outputs, organizing materials, and completing reporting for the pilot.

Pilot Budget

Budget Overview — $2,500 Pilot

A simple breakdown of how the pilot funds will be used.

Facilitation stipends
$500
Data / internet support
$200
Lagos event space & refreshments
$700
Local meetup micro-grants
$400
Documentation & media
$400
Program coordination & admin
$300
Total
$2,500
Feasibility

Costs are kept manageable through volunteer support, community partnerships, donated or low-cost venues, and a hybrid delivery model combining online engagement with small local gatherings.

Expected Outcomes & Success Metrics

We aim to see measurable improvements in:

  • Confidence and self-expression

  • Sense of belonging and connection

  • Emotional awareness

  • Willingness to seek support

  • Peer relationship development

Success will be measured through:

  • Participant feedback surveys

  • Testimonials and reflections

  • Attendance and engagement rates

  • Community activity continuation after program completion

Success Targets

We aim to achieve:

  • 70%+ participant attendance across sessions

  • 80% program completion rate

  • 75% survey response rate

  • Measurable improvement in participants’ self-reported confidence, connection, or emotional awareness between pre- and post-program surveys

Why Twayne Safe Haven?

Twayne Safe Haven is a youth storytelling and wellbeing community that has existed for over 10 years, creating safe spaces for young people to share experiences, build confidence, and connect with others who understand them.

TSH 101 represents the next stage of our journey, building structured programs that can grow and reach more young people across Nigeria.

How to Support or Collaborate

We welcome individuals and organizations who would like to support or collaborate with this initiative.

Email Us