Past Grant Recipient

Nature Fun Ranch (NFR) is a nature based youth development programme managed by youth. A registered charity, NFR was founded in 1999 by five Barbadian community minded teenagers who decided to use their creativity to develop a positive alternative to the negative lifestyles that plagued their local community. NFR provides a safe environment that fosters holistic positive psychosocial development of its members through its long-term outdoor, unorthodox, educational, equestrian and fun filled programme located in Bruce Vale, St Andrew. 

The programme seeks to give at-risk youth an opportunity to explore their strengths and prove their worth to a society that may view them as everything other than productive citizens. NFR programming takes a comprehensive systems approach to dealing with its diverse target group. Trained staff and peer mentors work in unison with NFR members and their families to understand the root causes of nonconforming behaviours while providing the necessary support for positive behaviour change. In so doing, it provides an invaluable asset to Barbados by benefiting the highly vulnerable and disenfranchised section the society. 

Mission 

To break the culture of negativity by engaging youth in active, fun-filled sustainable lifestyles, in order to cultivate positive and productive social attitudes. “Bringing out the positive charge in youth”. 

Vision 

To develop a youth membership base of outstanding individuals, supported by world-class recreational outdoor nature facilities, which promote positive and healthy lifestyles and engender positive social development. 

Why do the NFR Programmes work? 

Once connected with nature at the ranch, NFR members experience a desperately needed sense of belonging to something much greater than themselves and even their community. NFR management body consists of trained Social Workers and Counselors who would have lived, experienced and worked in communities similar to where most members originate. This experience offers a great sense of knowledge, empathy and understanding of the background of members. 

The unconventional approach to behavioural change is what compliments the core functions NFR and contributes to its success. NFR also assists where necessary members in areas of discreet financial assistance and obtaining citizenship documentation. Skills gained at NFR are a unique selling point for at-risk youth who may otherwise have faced very gloomy career prospects. 

The success of Nature Fun Ranch over the years to maintain the interest and its membership has been because from the inception each member was encouraged to contribute new ideas and think outside of the box. The theory behind this is that youth are easily bored and when suggesting things to do they think very limited and have very little faith in great activities actually coming off. Our mission from the beginning was to break that culture of thinking. On the membership form 1999, each member had to rate each proposed activity and existing section and suggest new ideas. 

Everything and each decision is made on consensus and the management of the group is the youth themselves 

Contact Centre Contact us: +1 (246) 572-4774 OR 851-1637 

Write us: nfrbarbados@gmail.com 

Address ; -Nature Fun Ranch Bruce Vale, St. Andrew Barbados 

The Diabetes and Hypertension Association of Barbados was founded in April 1975 by the Late         Mr. John Grace, Mr. Hugh Mapp, Mrs. Dorothy Talma-Monteil, Mr. Don Norville and Mr. Wilfred Ferguson. At the time, they recognized that literature was available for free distribution; however, persons suffering with Diabetes were not receiving the necessary attention or guidance for their illness. The Association has had a number of presidents during its existence. Mr. John Grace was the first President, followed by many others over the years including Mr. Hugh Mapp, Mr. Don Norville, Dr. Livi Forde and Sir Cliviston King. The current president is Mrs Noreen Merritt. All of these persons as well as the many volunteers have provided valuable service not only to the Association, but to persons living with Diabetes.The Headquarters of the Association is at “Jessamine Cot”, Cnr. Jessamine Avenue and Beckles Road, St. Michael. The association has ten regions across Barbados (Northern, Northeastern, West Central, Western, Southern, Eastern, Central Region, Gall Hill, Glebe and a Childrens' Group). These regions hold monthly meetings at which various topics are discussed by professionals, in their various fields related to Diabetes.to create one and post it here. A good mission statement tells you what drives a company to do what it does.

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