All work has been completed with respect to the Social Empowerment Agency (SEA), the amalgamated entity of the Child Care Board, National Assistance Board and Welfare Department, under the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs.

This was announced by Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, as he provided an update on Government’s progress with the SEA.

He was speaking at the Warrens’ Office Complex, Warrens, St. Michael, during the launch ceremony of Child Awareness and Prevention Month 2025, which will be celebrated in April.

Mr. Humphrey, who noted that Parliament approved the legislation, said the Ministry of Public Service had sent back the approval of all posts, and ministry officials will soon be meeting with the staff.

“I think the staff will be pleased with what we are offering. That new agency is meant to offer a comprehensive response to what really and truly is a comprehensive, complex, emerging, even if frightening environment, and the Social Empowerment Agency, we think, is a good response to that,” he said.

Mr. Humphrey noted that a number of these agencies were built long ago and are not properly suited for a modern Barbados. He stated: “The circumstances changed, but the legislation was the same, the structure was the same, and to me, that leads inevitably to us being inefficient in certain areas.”

The Minister expressed the belief that SEA would allow his Ministry to address the situation pertaining to children.  And, he added: “I know the social workers had been very concerned that we did not take the focus off of children. And there will be a part of the Empowerment Agency specifically dealing only with the serious issues pertaining to children, as it will be for the elderly and for persons with disabilities.

“But we know that we have to have a family-related response because what Barbados is seeing are family-related incidents and issues, and we cannot compartmentalise our response to a reality that does not present itself in a compartmentalised fashion.”

Mr. Humphrey noted that another issue his Ministry would be addressing is the Child Protection Bill, which Parliament has passed, and he had hoped to have proclaimed for April 1. 

“We will proclaim it for May 1, as well as the Social Empowerment Agency. And so, going forward, from May … we will approve the legislation. We’ll proclaim it… definitely in May,” he stressed. (PR/GIS)

The One Family Programme has launched a partnership with HNI Foundation Inc., the non-profit arm of Healthier Nation Initiative Inc. (HNI), to ensure good health is accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status. Supported by the Massy Foundation, this mission is looking to make significant strides in improving the health of Barbadians across local communities.

The first joint event in a planned series featured a medical team from Ross University and was held at the Church of God, Chelsea Road, Bayland, St. Michael. It provided health checks to a steady stream of clients and recorded their information for evaluation and follow-up. Clients attending the free health clinics are also granted access to the HNI exercise portal via the website https://hnicaribbean.com.

One Family’s Project Officer for Health and Housing, Rondell Trim, said ensuring optimum access to health care was a key pillar underpinning One Family’s mission and a good fit with partners like HNI and Massy Foundation.

“A key pillar underpinning the One Family mission is health. We cater to clients across Barbados who can benefit from access to medical care and support for a healthy lifestyle, and this collaboration ensures that we can bring that medical care into the community. This helps us to eliminate barriers like lack of transportation and mobility issues,” Trim said. He added that One Family sought to deploy additional mobile clinics that could go directly to homes to serve those who couldn’t afford basic medical care and faced barriers to accessing public care.

Sheldon Jones, co-founder and CEO of Healthier Nation Initiative Inc. and Chairman and director of the non-profit HNI Foundation Inc., said the goal was to make healthcare more affordable and healthy lifestyles accessible for people in Barbados and across the Caribbean regardless of their socio-economic status or resources. He said HNI was established in 2020, followed by the HNI Foundation in 2023, to make health care and healthy lifestyles practical, accessible, and sustainable.

“Our core belief is that health should not be tied to economics, so while HNI was focused on cost reduction, we established the Foundation to focus on outreach to communities. One Family knows where the needs are, and their partnership strengthens our community focus.”

“We are also grateful for the support of the Massy Foundation, which, beginning in 2024, committed to over BBD. $80,000 in funding to provide nutritional verified meal bundles to eligible clients to support the diet and nutritional aspects of their health transformation.”

Gillian Corbin, Project Administrator with Massy Foundation (Barbados) Inc., the charitable arm of Massy Stores, Massy Distribution, and Price Lo Supermarket, said they were pleased to address concerns about the impact of poor diet and nutrition on the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly among the youth.

“Health and the environment are a principal focus of the Massy Foundation, and NCD intervention is critical. HNI’s programme working with Ross University and One Family also speaks to our core values of love and care, collaboration, and continuous improvement,” Corbin said. (PR)

A groundbreaking initiative, aimed at enhancing support for the elderly, was officially launched on March 24, by the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI), in collaboration with the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs (MPEA).

Dubbed the “Care of the Older Adult in the Community” course, it was launched at the Lester Vaughan School Auditorium. This initiative seeks to empower caregivers, dedicated to serving the island’s senior citizens.

Special Adviser on the Elderly, Cynthia Forde, addressing the audience, emphasised the important role of eldercare companions and encouraged attendees to utilise the opportunity to refine their skills.

“The taxpayers’ money is paying you to deliver these services. We expect you to come up to scratch to ensure that our seniors are comfortable in the best way you can do it,” Ms. Forde stated.

While lauding their work, she articulated the need for caregivers to continue evolving.  “We want this section of our society to feel strengthened and know that they are cared for, that we love them, and that we will continue to serve them. I commend you all for accepting this position, but it’s important not to stagnate.

“You are the first in this programme, and you don’t have to be the last. When you complete your training, there is an extension of your programme that can allow you to be drafted into the same SJPI, where you can pursue an auxiliary nursing course. This is essential if you wish to function in other capacities within the National Assistance Board, or if you aspire to become a nurse,” she said.

The SJPI programme, which is set to support an initial cohort of 420 Eldercare Companions, has plans for expansion to meet the growing demand for elder care services, as Barbados grapples with a rapidly ageing population.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Jehu Wiltshire, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced caregiver support, said: “Currently, approximately 20 per cent of the population is over the age of 60, and by 2050, that figure is expected to rise to over 50 per cent.”

And, he warned: “This is a ticking time bomb. If we do not take action now to establish systems to address this issue, we will face significant challenges in this country.”

Mr. Wiltshire also outlined plans by the MPEA to create daycare and residential facilities for the elderly in every parish, beginning with St. Philip.  Offering the rationale for this, he said: “We want to ensure that we approach elder care with heart and understanding. These qualities are essential as we move forward in our mission.”

Deputy Principal of the SJPI, Brenda Osbourne, echoing similar sentiments on the importance of education for caregivers, urged them to give of their best. 

She added: “Although your classes will be conducted at the Lester Vaughan School, I assure you, you are a student of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology…. I implore you to foster relationships with each other and share knowledge openly. With a 100 per cent pass rate, we would all be winners.”

One of the participants, Joan Brathwaite, who expressed optimism about the programme and shared her desire to better care for the elderly community, said: “I am truly grateful for this opportunity to enhance my skills in caring for our seniors.”

Spanning over 14 weeks, the course is entirely funded by the Ministry.  It is designed not only to boost participants’ skills but also to foster a compassionate environment for Barbados’ ageing population. (PR/GIS)