Research shows that loneliness and social isolation are as harmful to our health as obesity and smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and young people aged 16 to 24 are the loneliest group of adults in the UK. Those suffering loneliness are more likely to have mental health issues and have trouble finding work, regardless of gender or wealth. We at Thwaites want to help.
Helen Desmond, Director of Client Services at Thwaites Communications said:
‘As communications professionals we know how important it is to be able to communicate clearly with others in order to build trusting, long term relationships. We are delighted to be supporting the launch of Get You Heard. Founded by our colleague Charlotte McLeod, this new not-for-profit training organisation gives 16-24 year olds the skills and confidence to communicate face-to-face with anybody and connect meaningfully.”
Get You Heard will run their first training event on Saturday 11th August in central London, offering free face-to-face communications training to 16 to 24 year olds, with 50 tickets up for grabs. The full day event will focus on the interpersonal skills young people need to improve their employability and make a difference, from active listening and positive body language to building rapport. It will include a formal training element as well as one-to-one coaching with qualified coaches and the opportunity for young people to practise their new skills with senior professionals from sectors ranging from the pharmaceutical industry to the military.
Young people have grown up in an online world. The immediacy of face-to-face conversation can feel so confronting that some experience a kind of stage fright. People need to connect in real life to avoid feeling socially isolated. Conversational competence might be the single-most overlooked skill we fail to teach in schools. Get You Heard fills that gap with the training and coaching young people need.
The Get Young Heard programme empowers young people in every area of their lives, with a particular focus on their employability. Employers report that young people they interview lack the basic interpersonal skills needed to make a good first impression. They struggle to start a conversation, make eye contact and ask appropriate questions. Many have never considered how their body language and clothing affects how others perceive them. Get You Heard provides training on face-to-face communications skills and personal impact.
The training will be jointly run by Charlotte McLeod and Sam Waterfall, who first met at school in Leicestershire. Sam is an author, public speaker and founder of coaching organisation Obvious Candidate. Human resources expert, Ngozi Nwabineli, met Sam at university and heads up a team of coaches providing individual tailored support on the day.
The event will take place at WAC Arts headquarters in Belsize Park, North West London. The are 50 places available, and lunch and refreshments will be provided free of charge.
Young people need to find their own voice so that they can communicate powerfully with anybody and contribute meaningfully to the creation of their own lives and communities. Support for the event has also been provided by Campaign Collective, the social enterprise that helps charities, social enterprises, public service organisations and other campaigners benefit from affordable professional communications advice and support.
For more information and to secure a free ticket to the event, visit www.getyouheard.org.
Event details:
On Saturday 11th August, the Get You Heard event will take place at the WAC Arts headquarters, The Old Town Hall, 213 Haverstock Hill, London NW3 4QP. The venue is five minutes walk from Belsize Park tube station, one stop into Zone 2 on the Northern Line. The event will start at 10am and end at 4pm. The event is free to attend for 16-24 year olds. Refreshments and lunch will be provided free of charge.
No comment yet, add your voice below!