Last year we asked girls how they were doing with our six GFS girl statements. Based on what they said, we were able to see where they need more support.
So, our Programme Team began developing activites based on exactly what girls had to say. We kicked off our girl-influenced programme with Resilience in the Autumn Term.
At the end of term, the Programme Team hit the road, travelling around England and Wales to see how girls got on.
We’re happy to say, most girls reported improvements against each of the programme’s intended outcomes, with an especially high number of girls saying they feel more able to take care of themselves when times are tough.
4 in 5 girls say they know how to take care of themselves when times are tough.
Girls have a better understanding of what resilience means now, why it’s important and what this can look like day to day. They gave some really good answers for the ways in which the role models in the final session show resilience.
– GFS Anfield
As well as, more willingness to share thoughts and feelings, improved friendships, teamwork and group cohesion.
Because GFS works with a wide range of girls, the activities needed to include options as diverse as our girls are. Activities included a mixture of games, crafts, active-play, discussion and drama-based options.
This gave group leaders the chance shape central programme to fit girls. Of course, different activities performed better in different groups, but all groups were able to find activities their girls enjoyed.
54% (6 out of 11) of group leaders specifically mentioned that girls in their group had grown in confidence this term, with several observing an increase in girls speaking up and being willing to share their opinions.
The girls are definitely more confident and some are really demonstrating their learning through their actions in club. Some of the girls are acting as mentors for others, resolving conflict in the group, leading on activities, sharing strategies with each other and promoting inclusion in the club.
– GFS Townhill
The mix of ages, abilities and interests across groups can be a challenge when creating a central programme for such a large range of girls.
Luckily, most group leaders also found ways to successfully adapt activities to suit the specific needs of their group.
In fact, two Group Coordinators said the core programme helped with their planning and freed up more time to focus on other tasks, such as community outreach.
82% (9 out of 11) of group leaders reported that girls have bonded and developed stronger friendships through the discussions and activities they participated in.
The group feels more cohesive – perhaps as a consequence of these conversations! Whilst the focus was often on individual experiences, I think the girls bonded over shared ideas.
– GFS Mile End
Of course, that does not mean this does not remain a challenge. Learning about diverse role models was specifically mentioned by several groups as a popular activity with girls, however other groups found this more challenging for younger girls.
But the outcomes show us it’s a worthwhile challenge to take on. Ultimately, most group leaders said they feel their girls got something positive out of these specially designed sessions.
Around two out of three girls experienced improvements in trying again when they have a setback, being brave when something makes them nervous and feeling able to deal with problems that arise.
It has given them ideas and tools to work through their feelings (especially Down Town), it has given them to confidence to keep trying and realise they are more resilient than they first thought.
– GFS Neath
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