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The week commencing 13 October saw the launch of the ‘Be Real’ campaign. The aim of the campaign was to change attitudes to body image, and help everyone put health above appearance and become confident about their bodies. The campaign was supported by a range of leading charities (including the YMCA), brands and influential trade associations. The week culminated in the Body Confidence Awards, held on Thursday 16 October at the House of Commons. Two CYQ centres were nominated for an award demonstrating how they have imbedded CYQ Body Confidence qualifications within their curriculum. One of the campaign’s key features is ‘Real education’, calling for schools and those working with young people to help build body confidence, and CYQ would like to congratulate Manchester YMCA for being short-listed in the ‘Education – outside schools and college category’.

Further information about relevant CYQ qualifications here.

Below are two case studies about two CYQ centres in Dorset and Manchester delivering these qualifications in two very different settings.

Manchester YMCA and Salford Young Carers

The Manchester YMCA, an approved CYQ centre, has delivered the CYQ Level 1 Award in Body Image and the Relationship to Wellbeing with two groups of young women who are carers.

Recent YMCA research has highlighted that young people are particularly vulnerable to body image concerns associated with a number of factors including popular culture (media images, and the fashion and fitness industry), and parental and peer influences. A survey of 810 young people for the Body Confidence campaign by Central YMCA and the Centre for Appearance Research found that over half of the adolescent girls (54.1%) asked said that girls at their school have body image problems, and a quarter of boys (23.7%) think that boys also have body image problems (ComRes Poll, Attitudes to Body Image in the UK, Central YMCA).

The CYQ qualification helps the learner to understand and appreciate the concept of body image and explore some of the positive lifestyle choices they can make to help them lead a healthy and active life, making this a valuable resource in youth work.

Manchester YMCA emphasised that the young women involved were not targeted because it was felt that they had any particular issue with their body image, but rather because it was felt that everyone could benefit from recognising that body confidence is an important and relevant topic, particularly to young people. 

The centre ensured that each session was effectively planned so that it allowed coverage of the learning aims and objectives of the award but also gave young people the opportunity to engage in open and honest discussion. The staff delivering the qualification were clear at the beginning of each session that the content of any discussion would be confidential and asked the group to respect each other's freedom to speak openly.

One of the unanticipated issues raised by both groups of young carers is the influence of social media on body image. The young women all reported some form of bullying or provocation through sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Ask.fm in relation to their body image. Through discussion and learning content they were able to explore confidence-building strategies that could be applied to their situations.

Astara Training

Years of experience within Her Majesty's Prisons has enabled Astara Training to enhance, develop and build the self-esteem of hundreds of prisoners. Lack of awareness for their own self being is often a major barrier for prisoners in accessing Health and Fitness related courses and activities.

In Establishment A, they are currently running the programme with their new inductions. Used as a means to promote the Gymnasium in a more positive and approachable light, the programme also inspires the prisoners to start thinking directly about the health related choices they are making. It is a chance for them to review their personal goals and to share with others their perspective on Personal Wellbeing.

Establishment B, C and D use these qualifications as a direct pre-requisite to other courses, breaking down learning barriers and inspiring some to want to progress into the active leisure sector, or continue their learning in other areas with a renewed sense of wellbeing and achievement.

The highly motivated staff who deliver the programme encourage discussion, teamwork, investigation, fun and the chance to really inspire change! Projects are made, presentations are given and workbooks completed to a high standard showing commitment from both learners and delivering staff.

Astara has one notable learner, inspired by his attendance on the above course, who has progressed through to the Level 1 Lifestyle Management, the Level 1 Fitness and Physical Activity, is due shortly to complete his Level 2 NVQ Gym Instructor course and is applying for the Level 3 Personal Trainer scholarship programme!