TSH 101Nigeria
Where Every Story Begins
A youth wellbeing initiative supporting 101 young Nigerians through storytelling, peer connection, and community.
The Pilot in Brief
A Structured Step Forward
In 2026, Twayne Safe Haven is launching TSH 101, our first structured, fully documented youth wellbeing cohort, designed to support 101 young Nigerians through guided community engagement, storytelling, and peer connection.
For over a decade, TSH 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 programme model with measurable outcomes.
- Cohort dates
- November to December 2026A 4-week cohort, online with an in-person gathering in Lagos
- Participants
- 101 young people, ages 18 to 30Cumulative across online and in-person activities. Open to young adults across Nigeria.
- Where
- Lagos, Delta, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, AbujaAnd surrounding regions nationwide
- How to join
- Open applicationSimple screening for interest in personal growth, storytelling, and community
- Pilot budget
- $5,000Itemised below. See the budget
- Reporting
- Public impact reportShared after the pilot
The Reality
Millions of young Nigerians are navigating real pressure, from financial stress to family expectations to emotional pain, with nowhere safe to process it.
TSH 101 is the first step toward changing that. One structured programme. 101 young people. Four weeks of guided storytelling, peer connection, and community support that reminds every participant they are not alone in what they are carrying.
And the beginning of something much bigger.
See Us in Action
Our Community, In Their Own Words
This isn't just a page describing what TSH does. These are unscripted moments from our most recent Lagos community hangout, with members speaking for themselves about what this space means to them.
Why It Matters
The Gap We're Bridging
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 in some communities it is still taboo to talk about it openly.1 Access to professional support is also limited. There is a shortage of trained professionals and services, health coverage is inadequate and unequal,2 and care is largely paid for out of pocket, which adds a real financial barrier.3 As a result, many young people struggle silently without early support or safe spaces to talk about what they are experiencing.
Researchers have called for community-based approaches and anti-stigma programmes to help close this gap.1 Initiatives like TSH 101 provide supportive environments where young people can build confidence, develop emotional awareness, and connect with peers before challenges escalate.
1. Soroye MO, Oleribe OO, Taylor-Robinson SD. Community Psychiatry Care: An Urgent Need in Nigeria. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 2021.
2. Fadele KP, Igwe SC, Toluwalogo NO, et al. Mental health challenges in Nigeria: Bridging the gap between demand and resources. Global Mental Health, 2024.
3. Abdulmalik J, Olayiwola S, Docrat S, et al. Sustainable financing mechanisms for strengthening mental health systems in Nigeria. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 2019.
Programme
What TSH 101 Includes
Participants engage in a combination of online and in-person activities:
- 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
Delivery Format
- Online Sessions: weekly, 1 to 2 per week
- Peer Circles: small moderated groups
- In-Person Event: Lagos hub gathering (30 to 50 participants)
Programme Structure
4 Weeks of Guided Growth
TSH 101 runs as a 4-week cohort experience combining online engagement and local connection activities.
Cohort dates: November to December 2026.
The 4-Week Cohort
Select a phase to see what happens.
Weeks 1 to 3
Guided online sessions
The cohort meets online for guided, small-group work.
- Guided wellbeing sessions
- Peer support circles
- Storytelling and self-reflection
- Small group discussions
- Trust building
Week 4
Coming together in person
The cohort meets face to face, with the main gathering held in Lagos.
- Optional local hangouts
- Lagos gathering (30 to 50 participants)
- Reflection and celebration
- Closing conversations
Each guided session lasts 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.
Safeguarding
Safety & 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 or requests professional help, facilitators will guide them toward local mental health professionals, trusted community services, or available helplines. Emergency situations are referred to appropriate local services.
Documentation & Learning
A key goal of TSH 101 is to document participant experiences through video testimonials, participant reflections, photos and short stories, and session highlights, capturing authentic impact and building a repeatable model for expansion. Stories, photos and video are only recorded and shared with each participant's consent.
Facilitation
Support & Moderation
Sessions are facilitated by 2 lead facilitators supported by 4 to 6 trained peer moderators.
Facilitation Team
- Community facilitators from Twayne Safe Haven
- Guest contributors in youth development and wellbeing
- Peer moderators supporting small group discussions
Moderator Orientation
- Group facilitation skills
- Active listening and confidentiality boundaries
- Responding to distress and escalation procedures
Success Targets
What We Aim to Achieve
How We Measure
-
1
Every session
Attendance is logged at every session.
-
2
Start and end
Each participant completes a short anonymous survey at the start and end of the programme, with the same questions both times, rating confidence, sense of belonging, and emotional awareness.
-
3
After the pilot
Results are shared in a public impact report.
Expected Outcomes Include
- Confidence and self-expression
- Sense of belonging and connection
- Emotional awareness and willingness to seek support
- Peer relationship development
Budget
Pilot Budget Overview: $5,000
Every contribution directly supports the delivery of TSH 101. Costs are kept lean through volunteer support, community partnerships, donated or low-cost venues, and a hybrid delivery model.
Where the $5,000 goes
Select any category to see the full breakdown.
- Curriculum refinement & session planning$250
- Lead Facilitator 1 (planning, delivery, support)$350
- Lead Facilitator 2 (planning, delivery, support)$350
- Peer moderator orientation & training$150
- Peer moderator stipends (4 to 6 moderators)$200
- Internet/data support for participants with financial need$300
- Venue hire (chairs, tables, basic facilities, backup power)$500
- Refreshments and meals$650
- Audio-visual equipment and event setup$200
- Participant materials (name tags, agenda, stationery)$150
- Photography and videography$500
- Video editing and participant stories$250
- Impact report writing, layout & documentation$200
- Participant recruitment & communication$150
- Printing of workbooks, guides & certificates$180
- Team transport & local logistics$220
- Communication costs (airtime, SMS, coordination)$150
- Inflation, transport fluctuations, unforeseen costs$250
TSH is a volunteer-led community. Donations are processed securely through BetterWorld.
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Why Twayne Safe Haven
11+ Years of Building Safe Spaces
Twayne Safe Haven is a youth storytelling and wellbeing community that has existed for over 11 years, creating safe spaces for young people to share their experiences, feel seen, and build meaningful connections.
TSH 101 represents the next stage of our journey: building structured programmes that can grow and reach more young people across Nigeria.
- Founded in 2015 by Sammie Friday. Read our story
- A community since 2015, now 6,000+ members. See our past meet-ups in the gallery
How to Support or Collaborate
We welcome individuals and organisations who would like to support or collaborate with this initiative.
A Twayne Safe Haven Project · Secure giving powered by BetterWorld