A group of five Year 7 girls from Mayflower High School in Billericay have seen their self-belief boosted through the Girls Inspired programme, a 12-week initiative designed to help them navigate their emotions. The programme, funded by Active Essex Foundation and delivered by Project:Me, aims to support young women through sport, mentoring, and life skills, building confidence, resilience, emotional wellbeing, and a stronger sense of belonging.
Programme Details and Activities
The 90-minute sessions included interactive team-building challenges, role-playing scenarios to handle setbacks, mindfulness exercises, and group discussions around self-esteem. The girls also tried yoga and played sports such as netball and dodgeball. As a result, friendships grew, confidence built, and the young people began to recognise their own strengths.
Student and Staff Reactions
One student said: "It has been great to build my confidence. I love doing sports now and seeing how much better I feel afterwards." Vicki Condie, Year 7 manager and behaviour mentor, stated: "We could not be prouder of how much these girls have grown over the last 12 weeks. Stepping out of their comfort zone to build resilience isn't easy at any age, but watching them find their voices, lift each other up and tackle challenges head-on has been incredibly inspiring." She added: "We hope the girls walk away with a robust toolkit for life - knowing how to bounce back from failure, speak up for themselves with confidence, and support one another as a community. Projects like this are vital because equipping young girls with self-belief early on sets the foundation for everything they will achieve in the future."
Impact and Future Outlook
Sian Cleary, mental health development officer at Active Essex Foundation, said: "It is fantastic to see the positive difference the Active Essex Foundation-funded Girls Inspired programme has made for young people at Mayflower High School. The combination of physical activity and open conversations about mental wellbeing and other key issues has helped participants feel empowered, supported and more confident in themselves. Project:Me has played a vital role in the programme's success, delivering engaging sessions that have truly resonated with the girls." The programme's success highlights the importance of early intervention through sport and mentoring to foster self-belief and resilience in young girls.
