In a youth group, school wellbeing session or Guide and Scout meeting, this body confidence activity pack can help facilitators move beyond discussion and into practical action. It is aimed at older children, teenagers and young adults aged 11 to 25 who want to explore appearance pressure, self-esteem, the Image Myth and youth advocacy in a structured, group-based way.
Youth leaders, teachers and facilitators working with 11 to 25 year olds are the clearest audience for this programme, especially those running sessions on body confidence, self-esteem, appearance ideals, media pressure and confidence building. The pack sets out a four-Challenge journey called Action on Body Confidence, linked to the Free Being Me programme.
The first challenge, See the Change, focuses on understanding the Image Myth and how it affects young people in a local community. Activities include a take-home survey for friends and family aged 10 to 25, a team-building game, discussion of survey results, exploration of where appearance pressure comes from, and a visioning activity about the world young people want to see.
The second and third challenges move the group towards planning and carrying out an Action Project. Participants learn about advocacy, practise persuasion, identify decision-makers and influencers, set a goal, create an action plan and think about how to involve their community. The programme expects each participant to reach at least three other people, so it works well for youth campaigning, peer education or school council style work.
Practical leader notes include suggested timings, safety guidance for group discussions, online safety reminders, key definitions and a programme summary. It also explains terms such as body confidence, self-esteem, advocacy, campaign, community, influencer and decision-maker, which helps keep the sessions clear and accessible.
The final challenge, Share the Change, encourages groups to evaluate, celebrate, share their actions and consider what comes next. Created by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and the Dove Self-Esteem Project, it is particularly suited to Girl Guiding, Girl Scouting, youth work, PSHE, wellbeing groups and peer-led body image projects.
