Clackmannanshire Council Alva Academy

Susan Johnson - Youth Development Worker

Community Learning and Development (CLD)

Alva Academy

Over the past year, the Get Set Programme has provided a vital lifeline for a group of young women at Alva Academy. By prioritising emotional well-being and relational trust, the programme has successfully moved beyond the traditional classroom dynamic to create a transformative experience.

Key Successes & Highlights:

• A Foundation of Trust: By adopting a relaxed, informal approach, I broke down the barriers often found in educational settings. This allowed for genuine connection and ensured the girls felt seen and heard as individuals.

• Creating a Sanctuary: We established a consistent "Safe Space" within the school walls—a neutral ground where the girls felt secure enough to be vulnerable, share their challenges, and express themselves without judgment.

• Building Resilience for the Future: A core focus was equipping the girls with practical coping mechanisms. By addressing anxiety and stress proactively, we have empowered them with a toolkit they can carry into their senior years and beyond.

• Engagement through Activity: I used dynamic, hands-on activities. For example, taking the girls outdoors, teaching them how to safely light fires and toast marshmallows! This helped to ignite deep conversations that might never have happened in a seated, formal environment.

• Social Connectivity: Perhaps the most rewarding outcome has been watching the girls build a support network among themselves. They have moved from being peers to being friends, learning the value of mutual trust and collective joy.