How We Help
Building Self-Belief in Young People
Empowering Individuals with the Tools to Thrive
At I Can & I Am, we are dedicated to nurturing self-belief in young people by equipping them with practical tools that foster personal growth, a sense of belonging and resilience. We believe in the power of proactive support. Our mission is to help individuals recognise their strengths, accept their challenges and cultivate a positive mindset. Unlike traditional 'help' services, our charity focuses on empowering individuals before challenges become crises, helping them build the strength and confidence they need to face the future with optimism.
Since our founding in 2014, we have worked tirelessly to support thousands of young people, teachers, parents, businesses and communities across South England, providing them with the resources they need to thrive. Our work primarily takes place within primary, secondary and SEN schools, with all our services provided free of charge to state schools.
The Growing Crisis in Young People's Mental Health
In today’s fast-paced world, young people are confronted with unprecedented challenges. Becoming a well-rounded young person can feel incredibly daunting. The pressures to meet societal expectations, compounded with the challenges of adolescence and social and economic disparities, can leave many feeling deeply overwhelmed and lost. This struggle not only hinders their potential but can also affect their overall well-being often leading to self-doubt, low self-esteem and mental health problems. The Mental Health of Children and Young People (MHCYP) survey, which was conducted in 2023 found that 1 in 5 children and young people aged 8 to 25 had a probable mental disorder.
The existing support available for children and young people widely varies based on their individual mental health needs. In a survey by the charity Young Minds, three-quarters (76%) of parents said that their child's mental health had deteriorated while waiting for support from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). The reality is that the system is stretched and parents and teachers often lack the time, specialist knowledge and resources to provide the necessary mental health support to those affected.
We are taking a proactive approach to equip children and young people with the tools they need to address these challenges before they escalate. We believe that by tackling the issues at their core, we can empower young people to confidently navigate and overcome some of these hurdles and enable them to thrive.
How we can help
Find out more about the ways in which the charity of I Can & I Am can support your school, business, charity or family. Through workshops, presentations and visits with our specially designed I Can & I Am buses we are here to help!
Get in touch to discuss your requirementsEffective Tools for Building Self-Belief
At I Can & I Am, we believe that mental health is as important as physical health. It is about how we think, feel and act. Just as our physical health can fluctuate, so can our mental health – sometimes we feel well and other times we might struggle.
To support young people in maintaining positive mental health, we use a straightforward yet powerful approach to foster their self-belief. Our tools and strategies focus on developing a growth mindset, helping individuals recognise their strengths, and teaching the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. By equipping young people with these skills, we empower them to build confidence and resilience that will equip them throughout their lives.
The I Can & I Am Approach
Our core message revolves around the concept of a metaphorical ‘balloon’ within each of us – when it’s full, we feel confident, resilient and positive. Many have experienced the power of reinflating their ‘balloon of self-belief’ through our tools, making our approach easy to integrate into school communities, benefiting students, parents and staff alike.
Our approach to fostering self-belief is encapsulated in our four core pillars, each designed to keep the ‘balloon’ of self-confidence fully inflated:
INTELLIGENCE (I):
We believe we are all intelligent in different ways. We must find our strengths, skills and qualities and use them. Spend time doing things that you are good at and you enjoy.
CHALLENGE (C):
Embrace challenges as opportunities to overcome difficulties, learn a new skill or fix something that holds you back. It is all about making small, progressive steps forward.
ATTITUDE (A):
Attitude shapes how we view everything. A positive and grateful attitude can turn setbacks into opportunities, boosting resilience and giving us hope.
NEEDED (N):
Find where you belong and feel valued. Surround yourself with people and places that allow you to be your true self, and appreciate the power of mutual encouragement.
These pillars are designed to help individuals maintain their self-belief, ensuring that their internal 'balloon' stays inflated, leading to greater confidence and resilience.
How we help
Inspirational Talks
James Shone's inspiring talks foster resilience, self-belief, and wellbeing, empowering students, educators, and parents to overcome challenges and thrive personally and academically.
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The Buses
The I Can & I Am Bus visits schools within the South West, offering sessions that boost self-esteem and support mental health.
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Business Workshops
I Can & I Am empowers businesses with workshops and talks, fostering collaboration, resilience, and purpose to unlock potential.
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Making a Difference Across Southern England
Supporting Schools and Local Communities
At I Can & I Am, our reach extends throughout the South of England, where we work tirelessly to support schools and local communities with our programmes.
The impact of our work is clear in the success stories and testimonials from individuals and schools that have benefited from our approach. Each year we work with nearly 200 schools and interact with over 10,000 individuals.
Those schools we work with have seen first-hand the positive changes in student confidence, mental health and their overall well-being thanks to our proactive approach. Their stories demonstrate how our methods have transformed lives, helping young people conquer obstacles and reach their full potential.
Long-Term Impact
Supporting Schools and Local Communities
We measure the impact of our work both immediately following a visit and then the longer-term impact through surveys conducted six months later.
The results are incredibly encouraging, with over 75% of those reached reporting that their self-esteem remains positively impacted, and over 50% of pupils committing to making a positive change in their lives following the discussions.
One thing is clear - the need for mental health support and building resilience in young people is not going away anytime soon. I Can & I Am is dedicated to reaching as many young people as possible in the coming years.
Partnering with Us to Make a Difference
Join Us in Empowering the Next Generation
At I Can & I Am, we believe that creating lasting change for young people is a collective effort. There are numerous ways individuals, schools, businesses and organisations can get involved in supporting our mission to inspire self-belief and build resilience in young people.
You can contribute by fundraising for us, offering financial donations, or forming corporate partnerships that help expand the reach of our programmes.
Whether you are a school looking to invite us for a visit, a business interested in corporate sponsorship, or an individual passionate about helping young people, we welcome your involvement in helping us make a difference.
