MAKE ME A GROWN UP
PROGRAMME 4: SARAH
BACKGROUND
Seventeen-year-old Sarah is a trainee nursery nurse from North London. She has a youthful appearance and her clothes – many adorned with cartoon characters – exaggerate this trait. She is uncomfortable and self-conscious when wearing age-appropriate clothes, preferring to hide behind baggy shapeless outfits. She says that when she looks in the mirror she sees a scruffy child. Her friends and family agree with her assessment. Her manner and her passivity make it difficult for her to participate in activities with people of her own age. Consequently she spends most evenings at home and only goes out socially once or twice a year.
In her interview with Lisa, Sarah admits that she has been reluctant to grow up. She has tried extremely hard to stay safely in her comfort zone. She is not a natural risk taker and lacks confidence and self-belief. She is afraid to let the world see what she is really like. She has now accepted that it is time to grow up. She is seeking help to conquer her fears and take her place in the adult world. The mentoring team focuses its support on helping her to:
- build her self-confidence and self-belief
- improve her communication skills and vocal control
- dress in a way fitting for a 17-year-old
- improve her self-presentation and assertiveness skills.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EXERCISES
Becoming a market trader for a day improves Sarah's vocal control and body language. The advice that Stephen gives her when she is struggling applies to anyone who finds it difficult to behave in a confident and adult manner.
The homework task forces Sarah out of her comfort zone. She has to reflect on what she is getting out of life, what she wants from life, the changes she would like to make, and how she might achieve them. It shows that self-assessment can be a valuable tool for setting life goals and bringing about change. However, it also shows that self-assessment does not come naturally and that it can be hard and painful to do.
The subsequent role plays engage Sarah in using confident body language and assertiveness skills. They show that, with a bit of effort, change is possible.
THE MAKEOVER
The makeover looks at how to dress in an age-appropriate manner. Hannah identifies the problems that Sarah's current style presents and shows how to overcome them.
