This Lady Loves

Real Business Support for Women Who Are Done Figuring It Out Alone

Girls out Loud

Do you shudder when you recall your teenage years? Do you remember being anxious about fitting in with your peers, distressed about your appearance or worried about your sexuality? If so then you will have no trouble recognising that these are typical of the problems experienced by the majority of girls during this tricky transition time. If you are fortunate enough to have been able to maintain your balance through this phase of your life, then spare a thought for those who are unable to cope so well – either because of their difficult circumstances or their fragile personalities.

Girls Out Loud (GOL), a social enterprise, was established by women like you to give something back to the teenage girls who most need it, to help them out when it really matters and to give them confidence to help themselves. It works by recruiting volunteer ‘Big Sisters’ who commit to partnering with a teenager for a year for a programme of one-to-one mentoring and a series of group activities. Mentoring is a very effective way of helping an individual to address problem areas of life when there is no trusted or constant support, no positive role model and no culture of confidence or self-esteem to call upon.

GOL works with girls whose family life may be chaotic, fragmented or otherwise damaged. They often come from homes where no one has worked for years and are affected by endemic negative attitudes to ambitions such as passing exams, building careers and daring to dream. They are pressurised by peers to fit into the non-aspirational culture that surrounds them. They see only failed relationships and come to accept them as normal, thereby becoming easy prey to early sexual exploitation.

The girls have it in their power to address all these issues – they just don’t realise it. GOL has proven the success through projects in schools in Crewe where the joyous graduation of girls from the programme and their launch into training, jobs and further education has broken the cycle of under-achievement.

The cost of successful social transition on this scale is pitifully small – about £1,000 per girl – yet the difference this makes to their lives is invaluable. This type of early intervention not only shows young women a way out of life on welfare, it also benefits society as a whole by producing individuals who are stable, productive and happy with their lives. GOL seeks to finance its programmes from local businesses, charitable funds and (increasingly scarce) public money. It also recruits those invaluable Big Sister volunteers from all walks of life. Ever on the lookout for help, funds and wonderful women, GOL would like to hear from you if you care enough to help.

If you would like to know more about how you can be involved take a look at the girls out loud pledge