Program Topics
The youth lifeskills programs I run range from all-day interactive workshops to weekly/periodic sessions to one-off workshops on specific topics. Clients can choose from the list of topics below and can request tailor-made programs to suit their specific needs. Most programs are run on an interactive basis with group work, role-plays, audio- visual aids and with special guest presenters like police, elite athletes, lawyers and inspirational guest speakers.
The philosophical base behind it is very much based on reality, not morality. It tends to focus on pragmatic, real-world situations that don’t hide the truth from participants but instead encourages them to confront the consequences of good and bad choices as they navigate the pressures of young adulthood. In my experience with youth over many years, they tend to respond to messages that give them honest (sometimes brutally honest!) information that is consequence-based but also provides practical solutions and strategies. In broad terms, content includes topics like:
Substance abuse (drugs, alcohol) – understanding the dangers and consequences of poor choices
Respect for women, DV prevention, sexual assault, nightclub behaviour
Safe driving, staying safe in cars, young drivers
Youth violence, learning to avoid fights, defusing dangerous situations
Personal Brand & Leadership
Social Media (the power and perils of Facebook, Twitter, mobile phones etc)
Suicide and depression and early warning signs, where to seek help (in the context of elite sport especially)
Media skills (in the context of elite sport especially)
Parent Workshops – information session for parents on many of the issues facing adolescents, how to navigate this period with minimum conflict and understanding the pressures of being the parent of an elite athlete
Risk vs Reward – trying to make sense of the need for teenagers to take risks, encouraging acceptable levels of risk for healthy growth but minimising destructive/dangerous risk-taking behaviour