Belong

BELONG combines:

• Life coaching and personal development
• Emotional wellbeing support
• Physical activity and movement
• Confidence and resilience building
• Safe peer connection and community
• Practical tools for everyday wellbeing

Our approach blends coaching with movement and meaningful conversation to create a programme that feels supportive, engaging and empowering without pressure or judgement.

BELONG YOUNG WOMEN & GIRLS is aimed at young women aged 16+ who may benefit from additional support with wellbeing, confidence and social connection.

The programme may be suitable for young women who are:

• Feeling isolated or struggling socially
• Experiencing low confidence or self-esteem
• Managing stress, anxiety or overwhelm
• Transitioning into adulthood, college or university life
• Looking to improve emotional wellbeing
• Wanting a supportive and safe environment
• Interested in building healthy routines and life skills

The programme has also supported young women who are known to pastoral teams, support services and external agencies, including those transitioning from CAMHS services.

Participants can self-refer or be referred through schools, colleges, organisations and partner agencies.

Sessions may include:

• Journaling and self-reflection
• Goal setting and future planning
• Self-care, hair, skincare and make-up session
• Yoga, dance and strength-based movement
• Emotional regulation techniques including EFT/tapping
• Mindfulness and stress management
• Self-defence and confidence sessions
• Nutrition and wellbeing education
• Group discussions and life coaching
• Decision-making improvement, future planning, confidence building and values workshops.
• Working Smarter, Not Harder: Effective Time Management and Prioritisation
• Coaching on healthy boundaries
• Volunteering and leadership opportunities
• Reflection and next steps

Activities are designed to improve wellbeing while helping young women feel empowered, connected and more confident in everyday life.

The BELONG for young women and girls programme was piloted in partnership with students at Anglia Ruskin University.

Evaluations demonstrated powerful outcomes for participants, including:

• Increased confidence and independence
• Improved emotional wellbeing
• Enhanced coping strategies and resilience
• Increased physical activity levels
• Stronger social connections and sense of belonging
• Greater self-awareness and emotional understanding
• Improved engagement in community life

Participants reported feeling safer, more supported and more hopeful about their futures.

Please also see EMPOWER for other youth programme 9-18 year olds.

At PROJECT:ME, the safety, wellbeing and dignity of every participant is at the heart of everything we do.

BELONG has been carefully designed to provide a safe, welcoming and supportive women and girls-only environment where participants can feel seen, heard and valued throughout their journey. We understand that wellbeing and personal growth can involve vulnerability, which is why creating emotionally, and physically safe spaces is central to the programme experience.

Our team:

• Hold Enhanced DBS certificates
• Follow robust safeguarding procedures and policies
• Receive safeguarding and wellbeing training
• Promote equality, inclusion and respect throughout all sessions
• Create trauma-aware, supportive environments where participants are encouraged to engage at their own pace

To ensure BELONG remains a safe and supportive group environment for everyone:

• The programme does not provide one-to-one therapeutic or crisis support.
• Support is offered within the group sessions only.
• We may signpost participants to external services where more specialist or individual support is needed.

We kindly ask all participants to contribute towards creating a positive and respectful community by:

• Treating others with kindness and non-judgement
• Respecting confidentiality within the group
• Allowing space for different experiences and perspectives
• Supporting a safe and encouraging environment for all women attending

BELONG is a women-only programme designed around the experiences, needs and safeguarding considerations specific to biological females, helping us create a safe and relevant space for participants.

We also recognise that wellbeing journeys are personal. Participants are never expected to share more than they feel comfortable with and are encouraged to prioritise their wellbeing at all times. Additional support and signposting can be offered where appropriate.

Our Safeguarding and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) policies are available upon request.

Together, we create a space where women can CONNECT, GROW and THRIVE safely and confidently.