[The programme] helped me to get better at talking to people in general and it’s helped me with smooth communication.
Jack struggled when teachers didn’t understand his approach in lessons. At times, his unique answers were misunderstood and sometimes this led to him getting into trouble.
“My school thought [Power2 Thrive] might be good for my introverted self. I found the everyday school routine difficult,” said Jack.
Power2 Thrive combines group classroom sessions with weekly visits to a nursery where young people mentor a nursery child. On the programme, they form meaningful friendships with the children while actively supporting their learning and development.
Jack joined a Power2 Thrive group with peers who also had SEND. This gave him the opportunity to learn in a less structured environment alongside others with shared experiences.
Our Programme Leads designed the sessions to include movement, creativity and regular breaks from sitting so that they were accommodating for the young people.
Jack particularly benefited from the role play sessions where he pretended to be a waiter in a restaurant. Being in this role helped Jack to understand the different types of communication people can have, and it gave him the opportunity to practise both verbal and non-verbal communication techniques, including reading tone, body language and social cues.
For some young people with SEND, interpreting these aspects of communication can be difficult, but Jack was willing to try new strategies and gradually became more confident.
Aeryn said, “Jack began to believe in his abilities to have conversations with people, even people who were neurotypical which was a significant milestone for him.”
“While Jack understood the workbook tasks, he approached them differently from how others might. He needed a bit more time to write down his thoughts, so I broke down the instructions into smaller steps and checked in more often. This helped him complete each task without losing his individuality,” said Aeryn.
Throughout the programme, young people complete a Power2 Thrive workbook that supports their learning. Aeryn made time to work with Jack one-to-one in the Power2 Thrive sessions, giving him space to process each section of the workbook at his own pace and in a way that suited his learning style.
The nursery sessions really brought out Jack’s strengths too. He was paired with a younger child who had a short attention span, but Jack wasn’t fazed. He got down to his mentee’s level, spoke calmly and guided them through activities which helped them both form a strong bond.
Jack said, “The programme helps you to learn but in a fun way. I know how to comfort people more since having time with reception children.”
By the end of the programme, Jack was a confident role model in the nursery.
“Jack would read aloud to a group of children without feeling scared or nervous. He became a real entertainer. He made everyone in the group laugh,” said Aeryn.
Reflecting on his experience, Jack said, “[The programme] helped me to get better at talking to people in general and it’s helped me with smooth communication.”
Jack now has improved confidence and communication skills which have helped him become happier in his life. He dreams of becoming a game designer!
We wish you the best of luck, Jack!
I made friends with my peers, and we feel comfortable around each other.
