Project to boost teenage girls’ confidence receives support from Wales & West Housing
Ten teenage girls who opened up about their life experiences as part of a project to boost their confidence and resilience celebrated their achievements at a book launch backed by Wales & West Housing.
The Flintshire-based teenagers, aged 12-16, each shared their stories for Look at me now following a 12-month initiative where they received mentoring and support from SoulSister Wellness and its co-founders Ruth Dive and Laura Evans.
Ruth and Laura started SoulSister Wellness in 2021 with the aim of helping young people to improve their mental health.
Using their expertise in health coaching, they guided the girls through a series of initiatives over 12 months to equip them with life skills, coping techniques, improved communication skills and the chance to build healthy and lasting habits.
This included spending time engaging with local businesses such as gyms, farms and shops, and ended with the publication of Look at me now.
Wales & West Housing part-funded the book launch from its Making a Difference fund. The girls also spent time speaking to residents at Plas yr Ywen, our extra care scheme in Holywell, as part of the project.
Laura said: “The launch was such a beautiful evening, it was a wonderful way to celebrate the girls’ achievements and the amazing journey they have been on.
“We’re really grateful for the support we had from Wales & West Housing, the launch wouldn’t have been possible without their funding.
“The time spent at Plas yr Ywen was one of the most powerful events we did to demonstrate just how much the girls’ confidence had improved since the initial meeting we had with them when we started the project.
“We prepared 50 or so questions for them to ask residents about their life experiences. They were happily, confidently chatting away to them – it was them leading the conversations, asking all the questions, which was wonderful to see. The residents loved it too!”
The book climbed to number one bestseller in numerous Amazon categories soon after launch and is already helping other girls of a similar age.
“The time spent at Plas yr Ywen was one of the most powerful events we did to demonstrate just how much the girls’ confidence had improved since the initial meeting we had with them when we started the project.”
Laura Evans, SoulSister Wellness
“It’s not just the project itself that has been worthwhile,” said Ruth. “Already the girls’ work has had a phenomenal impact on other young people, helping them to cope with problems.
“The accounts were very real and raw about what the girls have experienced and it was extremely brave of them to open up so much.”
Wales & West Housing’s Making a Difference fund gives back to our residents and communities. It is largely made up of contributions from our suppliers and contractors, who make additional contributions to our contracts when they build our homes or provide services to us. Find out more here: https://www.wwha.co.uk/en/about/making-a-difference/
For more information about SoulSister Wellness visit https://www.thessw.co.uk/