Teen Talk is a local charity based in Tendring that offers a safe space for young people who may be struggling in their day-to-day life, to seek help and guidance through weekly support sessions. They also offer a range of projects to help young people get involved in their community.
26 year old Jodie who has disabilities and special needs, is a member of Teen Talk and had previously struggled to find an inclusive dance class. She has a passion for dance and wanted to teach others who are just like her and who feel they don’t ‘fit in’ at the other dance classes in the area.
Through Teen Talk, the Essex Local Delivery Pilot (LDP) were keen to help support Jodie’s vision and wanted to give her the opportunity to create a business plan and complete an application to receive funding for a dance teacher training course. As a result of this, Jodie gained confidence and asked if she could volunteer as a classroom assistant in a local primary school. The school agreed and since have been so pleased with Jodie’s progress, the local Adult community learning college have been able to help provide funding to support her course within the school.
Jodie explained: “I was so welcomed when I first joined Teen Talk, and activities were based around teamwork and projects to help the community. I have disabilities and special needs and they made me feel included. I have autism and ADHD and I never felt like I could achieve much since leaving school, but here they gave me the escape from feeling useless and the boost I needed to feel like I can do well in life again. My peers also related to me in ways, and I was able to form good friendships and began to not feel so alone.
I learnt many valuable skills, such as cooking – something I always felt I couldn’t do alone without my family’s support. It helped me gain strength in myself to feel that my disabilities shouldn’t hold me back and if I put my mind to it, I can be more independent. My mental wellbeing improved, and I learnt to work as a team and on my own too. I began to think more about my future dreams and goals.
With thanks to Teen Talk and the LDP, I’m now on my journey to becoming a dance teacher. I feel that I can achieve anything I put my mind to and just because I’m disabled, have autism and ADHD, doesn’t mean it should stop me. It means that with the right support in place and positive people around me I can do anything in life. I’m just like him, I’m just like her, I’m just like you. Yes, I can achieve what you’ve achieved, I can be someone I’ve dreamed of being. I can do anything. I can be me.”
In partnership with Teen Talk, the LDP have been able to provide Jodie with the opportunity to transform her life, with support and guidance every step of the way. With their drop-in sessions you can talk to a friendly and professional support worker, and whatever the problem, they are there to help you figure it out. Make sure to visit their website here to find help if you are struggling.
