Platform 51

News

Categories: education and skills, general, regional news: Midlands
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Nottingham girls with aspirations

Jade: "I know what I need to do to achieve in life"

Our recent study revealed that 63% of women and girls have been affected by poor mental health such as stress, depression, low self-esteem or suicidal thoughts. So how do we help women feel better about themselves?

In Nottingham, Platform 51 staff are running Aspirations, a programme for 13- and 14-year-old girls who may be struggling at school and at risk of dropping out. They may feel that school is pointless and have lost faith in their abilities and can see no future for themselves.

The three month programme begins with an adventure activity such as abseiling. This helps the girls to build their confidence and trust in each other and means that as the course progresses the girls and more openly and honestly discuss the problems women face today such as assertiveness, relationships, sexual health, vocational aspirations and the media's portrayal of women.

Each subject is picked apart and examined, so they learn to understand how complex and connected each one is and how it affects them. Intervening early like this means the girls have a chance to act on what they've learned, get back on track, work hard at school and aspire to more.

The girls who complete this course end up with an accredited qualification. Tracy Radford, Platform 51 manager in Norttingham, says: "The girls have a much more positive feeling about school and the school sees them in a more positive light."

The girls are inspired by the programme. Jade said: "I know what I need to do to achieve in life." Libby said: "I learnt anybody can go to college."