Information For Parents Carers
Questions that you may have
What is it?
You Grow Girl is a well-being programme designed by experienced Clinical Psychologists to give girls the understanding, knowledge and skills they need to navigate the challenges of the teenage years and thrive in their future lives. The group aims to develop participants’ self-awareness, resilience and confidence through fun, interactive sessions incorporating evidence-based psychological approaches.
To find out more about the story behind You Grow Girl, please click here.
Who is it for?
The group is open to girls starting academic Year 8 in September 2023. The group may not be suitable for all young people, please see the eligibility criteria below.
When do the sessions take place?
The group will meet once a month for a period of 11 months, between October 2024 and July 2025. Sessions will run on Saturdays 10:00-12:00am and are term-time only. Please click here for session dates.
Where will the group take place?
The group will be held in a lakeside lodge in the grounds of Anna’s home in Wychnor, near Burton-upon-Trent. Fern Lodge is a cosy, welcoming space designed to create a sense of safety. It is situated in a calming, peaceful setting surrounded by trees and wildlife.
How much does the programme cost?
We want the programme to be accessible to everyone, so have priced it accordingly. The total cost for the 11 sessions of the You Grow Girl programme is £130. This includes all group materials and refreshments. We believe this represents incredible value for the quality of the programme material and expertise of the facilitators.
We require full payment for the group to secure your daughter’s place on the programme. Payments can be made via bank transfer.
We regret that we are unable to refund for any missed sessions, or if your daughter decides to withdraw from the group for any reason.
What is the commitment?
To be eligible for the group, we ask that all participants commit to attending every session (unless due to illness/unforeseen circumstances). Please ensure that you have checked the session dates carefully before submitting your application.
How many participants will there be in each group?
The group will have a maximum of ten participants. Due to the limited number of spaces available, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as places will be allocated on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis.
What will the sessions involve?
Each session of the group will be focused on a particular topic or skill related to well-being. Sessions are designed to be interactive and fun, and will include a mixture of discussion, experiential exercises and creative activities. There will be something for everyone to enjoy! All of the activities are designed to further understanding and aid development of key well-being skills.
We will try to get outside and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of being in nature whenever the weather allows.
For a full list of session topics and more detailed information on the ethos of the group, please click here.
Anna has drawn on her extensive experience of working therapeutically with young people in the NHS to create informative, interactive and engaging sessions for the You Grow Girl programme.
The group content is based on ideas from evidence-based therapeutic approaches widely used by psychologists and mental health professionals to reduce psychological distress and promote well-being and resilience.
For more information about the specific therapeutic approaches that inform the group, please click here.
Who will facilitate the sessions?
The group will be run by Dr Anna Tipper, Clinical Psychologist, and Sarah Pratt, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, with over 20 years of combined experience in the field. To find out more about Anna and Sarah, please click here.
When can I sign up?
Straight away- sign up today! Please note- the closing date for applications is 31st August. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Will you provide refreshments?
Yes, absolutely! Drinks and healthy snacks will be provided each week. Please let us know if your daughter has any dietary requirements or food allergies. If you prefer, you may send your daughter with a snack from home.
Is the group suitable for everyone?
No, the group may not be suitable for some young people.
You Grow Girl is designed as a ‘promote and protect’ intervention for well-being. This means that the aim of the group is to promote current well-being and protect against future challenges to well-being through developing participants’ coping skills, resilience and self-understanding. It is NOT a psychological intervention for current mental health issues. This means that it is not suitable for young people who have a current mental health condition.
Please read the following eligibility criteria:
- Participants will need to feel comfortable being in a small group with their peers and be able to behave appropriately for the setting.
- The group is not suitable for young people who are currently attending psychological therapy.
- The group is not suitable for young people who are currently on the waiting list for psychological support or assessment.
- The group is not suitable for a young person who has a psychiatric diagnosis of any kind, or who is actively self-harming or feeling suicidal.
- The group may be suitable for a young person with a diagnosis of Autism. Please contact Anna to discuss this, as we are happy to consider applications on a case-by-case basis.
Are parents involved?
Your child is likely to benefit most from the You Grow Girl programme if you engage with the course material and show an interest in what your daughter has learnt. Each week, we will provide information for parents and carers, explaining the theme of the week and detailing what we have covered in the session.
How do I sign my daughter up?
Places for You Grow Girl will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. So don’t delay, sign up today!
Registration for the group has three stages:
Step 1: Download the initial application form here.
Step 2: If your daughter meets the eligibility criteria, we will email you some additional information forms to complete and send details of how to make your payment to secure your place
Step 3: Once your payment is received, we will confirm your place on the programme.
How can I explain the group to my daughter?
If you would like to sign your daughter up for the You Grow Girl programme, we suggest that you show her the Information for Young People page of this website. This will give her an idea of what to expect from the group and hopefully answer any questions she may have.
If your daughter is unsure or anxious about attending the group, please reassure her that this is totally natural! You Grow Girl is not really like any other groups she may have been to before, and it’s natural to be nervous about things that are new and different. You can explain that your daughter will have the chance to meet Anna virtually before the group starts to have an introductory chat.
If you, or your daughter, still have questions after reading this information, please don’t hesitate to contact Anna via email: Anna@groundedpsychology.co.uk
Why does the course last for a year?
The programme spans an academic year for two reasons (1) there’s a lot to cover! and (2) our clinical experience tells us that young people need time to repeat and practice new skills in order for these skills to become habits that will lead to meaningful, long-lasting changes in the way they relate to themselves and attend to their own well-being.
Important information
Confidentiality
Every effort will be made to create a safe, non-judgmental environment where the girls can share their experiences, explore their thoughts and feelings and gain support from their peers.
In order for the group to feel safe for the young people involved, specific personal information discussed by participants will be kept confidential amongst group members. The only exception to this, is if a participant shares information which indicates that either they, or another young person, is at risk of harm. If such information is disclosed, parents/carers will be informed, and appropriate safeguarding actions taken. The limits of confidentiality will be explained to the girls at the start of the group.
Information about group topics and home practice tasks will be shared with parents, so that you can support your daughter’s learning as she progresses through the programme.
Please click here for our Confidentiality policy.
Safeguarding
The safety of the girls attending You Grow Girl is paramount. Both Anna and Sarah are trained in Safeguarding of Children and Young People (Level 3).
Please click here for our Safeguarding Policy.
Risk management
Most sessions of You Grow Girl will involve spending some time outside (weather permitting). As this will involve being in a woodland environment, there are a number of risks associated with this. Whilst every reasonable effort will be taken to manage these risks, we cannot guarantee that every risk will be mitigated.
Both Anna and Sarah are trained in First Aid. We will ask you to consent to your daughter being given basic first aid if she sustains a minor injury.
Please click here for our Risk Assessments.