Helping pupils to gain self-esteem

WORKERS at one of Warrington’s biggest factories volunteered their time to help deliver self-esteem workshops to 200 young people at a local school
Unilever employees took part in “Dove Day” and visited St Gregory’s RC High School.
The factory’s efforts were part of a wider nationwide campaign.
Dove global research shows that only four per cent of women describe themselves as “beautiful”, and that six out of 10 girls avoid participating in activities because of poor body confidence.
In fact, Dove research shows that self-criticism and anxieties about appearance and beauty develop at a young age and that nine out of 10 young girls would change something about their physical appearance1.
Aim of the workshops was to help students build body confidence and respect for their own individuality.
They explored how media images were often manipulations of the truth and helped students develop strategies to avoid comparing their looks with others in their life and in the media.
Dave Neil, works director at the Warrington factory said: “It was a privilege and great opportunity for our employees to be able to take part in Dove Day this year.
“Being based in Warrington, volunteers got to visit St Gregory’s and assist in the workshop. This experience gave them a chance to help the local community and spread the ideology shared by the Dove Self Esteem Project”.
Paul Heitzman, headteacher, said “Today has enabled our young people to re-evaluate their own sense of self-worth. In a society where we are bombarded with media images of the ideal body, just starting a conversation about body confidence can make a real difference. Listening to our students speak out about their ideas of natural beauty was very encouraging and I am sure the work they have done today will have laid the foundations for a more body confident future ahead of them.”