Each week, our staff and volunteers can choose from our core programme of activities or build their own session around girls’ needs and interests.
Our non‑competitive, low‑pressure approach supports girls to build positive relationships and try new things without fear of failure. Through tailoring activities around girls’ needs and interests, our staff and volunteers ensure that girls have fun and can take part in a way that works for them.
All our groups are different but a typical session may look like this:
1.
Sessions start with a warm-up activity that girls can take part in when they get to group. This is often something creative or a game that can be played whilst waiting for everyone to arrive.
2.
Once we’re all together, we make sure girls have time to share how they’re feeling and what’s happened in their week.
This creates a safe, open space for girls to connect, feel comfortable with each other and able to speak up. We also welcome any new members before we get started with our main activity.
3.
Our main activity will support girls to develop key skills whilst having fun together. We might focus on a particular topic or theme, with discussions and problem-solving challenges that build awareness and understanding.
We could enjoy time to be mindful with crafts and creative activities, often making something to take home. We usually include some time to let off steam and get active by trying new games or sports.
Our staff and volunteers will adapt activities to make sure everyone is able to join in.
4.
There is time for girls to chat and share what’s on their mind throughout the session. Finally, we always make sure there’s a nice snack and a drink before home-time!
We also regularly arrange external facilitators to deliver special sessions for girls where they can try new things and take girls on trips where girls can create friendships and memories that last a lifetime.
All our sessions focus on having fun and supporting girls to develop socio-emotional skills in key three areas:
- Reflecting skills – understanding who they are, managing emotions, and building resilience.
- Connecting skills – communicating well, showing empathy and working with others.
- Exploring skills – thinking creatively, trying new things, and strengthening confidence and self‑belief.
You can find out more about our programme and approach here, and see some examples of activities below:
Getting out of Down Town
This is an example of a main activity that is focusing on helping girls build their resilience. By working in small groups and thinking creatively about the issue, girls are able to think deeply, while still creating something fun.
This activity aims to help girls:
- identify the things that support their wellbeing
- recognise the things that can negatively affect their mood.
- recognise the emotions and physical feelings that they have when their mood is affected.
- have a list of strategies to use to support their mood when feeling down.
Self esteem flowers
This is an example of a follow up activity, which would follow a main activity focused on talking to girls about how they see themselves, and celebrating our individuality.
This activity aims to help girls:
- Recognise their strengths
- Get used to verbalising positive things about themselves
- See that different people have different strengths, which are all great
- Feel good about themselves
