We're all becoming much flashier working on the internet now, but cast your minds back to the beginning of the pandemic and the steep learning curve of transitioning to working online. It was challenging, but re-imaging our courses would ensure the continuation to empower others in developing body confidence... We simply had to find a way!
A CHANCE TO STEP OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE…
Facilitators like myself worked closely with Ursula Joy, CEO and Body Confidence Coach, behind the scenes to learn, plan and be coached on a bunch of creative activities that specialise in building body confidence. I have good experience with facilitating groups, and I am lucky to have been introduced to the world of expressive activities. My first facilitation experience with Ldn Dares was at a workshop in 2018 with a large group of 16 year old grammar school students, academically successful with a lot of sass! As their facilitator I was so nervous, worried that I would forget what to say or do – coupled with the fact that I had no previous experience with drama-led workshops. Looking back, I smile because I can see how Ldn Dares has helped me to develop as a facilitator. I was given the chance to step out of my comfort zone and really be ‘daring’, which is in fact one of the aims of Ldn Dares!
ACHIEVING A SUPPORTIVE AND INTERACTIVE ENVIRONMENT
Running an online course presented the chance for me to become more tech savvy: to navigate Zoom, operate my MacBook, and to support group members with their tech issues. I don’t consider myself to be confident with IT but for this first online course I had to ‘give things a go’.
We (students and facilitators) all agreed that the beauty of attending the first online Ldn Dares course was being in the safety of our own homes, where we felt comfortable to engage and learn in a familiar environment. I must say that this was one of the few occasions where I felt comfortable to not have my background blurred. I am very happy to say that Ldn Dares – ONLINE achieved an environment which was supportive and interactive, facilitating enjoyment, learning and confidence building.
The course ran for 8 weeks. Each week offered a tailored approach to building body confidence through a range of expressive activities such as ‘dare’ challenges, body movement activities, group work, case studies and performances. It was a good amount of time to get to know one another, work together and have an appreciation of shared experiences. It is hard enough performing and taking part in activities face to face let alone ONLINE and this was achieved with adherence to group expectations, supportive feedback, compassion for one another and high levels of group cohesion as we cheered each other on to ‘have a go’. With this approach, we saw a gradual increase in body confidence, confidence in general, assertiveness and motivation to be ‘daring’.
GROUP WORK IS A GOOD LEARNING SPACE FOR US TOO
The feedback received from our students was overwhelmingly touching and we facilitators got just as much out of running the course as our students. Group work is a good learning space for us too. I am always amazed by how much I learn from our Dare students. I also enjoyed being ‘Jo-Ann the person’ where I authentically shared (like everyone else) some of my own experiences (which I was comfortable with) relevant to the task.
We continue to know and hear that our workshops and courses are a lot of FUN – even online now! We have seen that the more our students are relaxed, the more they learn and the more body confident they become.
Ldn Dares continues to create a special space online and we are overwhelmed with joy from the good feedback and the progress of our students.
A big shout out to our online Daring Students & a special thank you to Ursula for making all of this happen!