ZAP Testimonials
The following are direct quotes (including typos!) taken
from just some of the "Thank you" emails we receive at Kidscape
regarding the ZAP assertiveness training courses.
My son, Xxxxx, attended a self assertiveness course at Kidscape
this summer. He is now starting his 4th week at secondary school
and I thought it would be a good time to let you know how he
is doing.
The course had an almost immediate effect when Xxxxx won a music
prize and another contender felt it was his by right and forcefully
made this point to Xxxxx, in front of others. Normally he would
have crumbled but in fact he stood up for himself, highlighting
the reasons he won the prize and everyone else agreed! Xxxxx
was amazed that he had so much support.
The most obvious sign of the "new" Xxxxx, though, has been during
his first few weeks at secondary school. He has made new friends,
was elected as Student Counsellor & won a place in the school
play.
But most of all, he stood up for himself. When a boy in his
class group let it be known in the first few days that he didn't
like Xxxxx, he spoke to him pointing out that he didn't actually
know him so how could he know if he liked him or not! The boy
apologised and unfortunately moved on to another potential victim.
Xxxxx dealt with it and moved on - something he could not do
before.
It's early days and I have no doubt that we will have our ups
and downs but he has made a good, confident start. He has learnt
to deal with other people's hurtful comments and jibes so they
have not progressed into something more serious for him. It's
been a joy to watch him over the last few months, all our relatives
and friends have been amazed at the change. Thank you so much
for the course and for making such a difference to our son.
My daughter was a nervous wreck when I contacted you. You understood
the urgency for her to see that there were many other children
experiencing what was happening to her. After your ZAP course
she finally understood that she was not to blame and that she
could not help and in a lot of instances could not stop what
was happening to her. I also felt empowered once I met with other
parents experiencing similar problem.
You make me feel sane once again and gave me the strength to
take charge and change things. When I tell you that you saved
the life of a young vulnerable child, please don't take this
lightly. Today xxxx is in a new school, no longer vulnerable,
her self esteem is growing on a daily basis and she is achieving
academically. Kidscape should be in every school to make them
aware of how to deal with the bully and the victim. A heartfelt
THANK YOU to all the staff at Kidscape.
Thank you so much for inviting Xxxxx on the ZAP course last
Thursday. Having been extremely reluctant to come, he finished
the day full of enthusiasm for what he'd done and who he'd met
and feeling and sounding confident for the first time in a very
long time. Xxxxx realises that he has a way to go but having
the confidence to take the first step is worth so much. Seeing
that there are other kids having similar problems to us is oddly
reassuring, for both Xxxxx and ourselves. Everyone was so kind
and understanding, without being condescending, making a day
that could easily have been a little intense just really good
fun! Thank you so so much
Dear All at Kidscape,
Thankyou for writing to me with regard to Xxxxx,my daughter,
who attended a Kidscape course last October 2003. She found the
course very helpful and memorable. The anti-bullying techniques
have made her more aware of how to react to people who are bullying
her. She has gained more confidence, however she is not always
quick to use the techniques and after an incident she looks back
and thinks of what she could have done or said and maybe if it
happens again she might be able to put it into practice.
Xxxxx now knows there are other children experiencing similar
problems as herself and she does not feel so alone. She knows
that the friendly staff at Kidscape are only a phonecall away
if she needs help or reassurance.
Once again we would like to thankyou for all your help.
Dear Kidscape
In March 2003 I contacted you regarding my daughter Xxxxx.
Xxxxx was a pupil at Xxxxx High School in Xxxxx in Xxxxx where
she was experiencing bullying on a daily asis,physical,emotional
and mental.
I had approached the school and had very little positive response,
this went on for almost years in which time Xxxxx became a nervous
wreck and academically she was failing. Xxxxx being bullied affected
our entire family we all felt angry and helpless and that no
one could do anything positive to help us. It also affected us
financially as I could not seek fulltime employment, I needed
to be available for Xxxxx.
You invited Xxxxx and I to attend a ZAP seminar at your Head
Office in London in the April, you understood the urgency for
Xxxxx to see that there were many other children out there experiencing
what was happening to her,she finally understood that she was
not to blame and that she could not help and in a lot of instances
not stop what was happening to her. I also felt empowered once
I had met with other parents experiencing similar problems. Linda
you made me feel sane once again and gave me the strength by
telling me what steps I had to take in point form to achieve
the necessary changes for Xxxxx.
Xxxxx when I tell you that you saved the life of a young vulnerable
child please don't take it lightly, today Xxxxx is in a new school,
no longer vulnerable, her self esteem is growing on a daily basis
and she is achieving academically, Xxxxx is even talking about
staying on for sixth form!!!!!!
Organisations like Kidscape should be able to go into every
school and make them aware of the rules regarding bullying and
how to deal with both the bully and the victim.
Hi
A very big thankyou to everyone at Kidscape for the "ZAP" training
day on 19 Feb. I believe that Xxxxx really got a lot from the
day - I noticed that even by that afternoon he was "walking tall" and
he managed to ask his sister and her friend to remove their drink
cans from his "hoody" - "it's not a shopping basket, please take
them out". Xxxxx has also managed to ask me for help negotiating
with his (older) brother rather than yelling at him. I am reading
Michelle's book to him and it has also proved popular with all
his sibs.
Both Xxxxx and I feel that last week's training could not have
come at a better time for us since he has just started at a new
school this week (after being at home for five months). All seems
to being going well so far and Xxxxx says he "likes" it (which
is a very big plus!). He is only going for half days at the moment
and so we are able to try a little relaxation practice when he
comes home without anyone else being around.
dear Everyone at kidscape
We just wanted to say thank you for a fun and informative day
on your last ZAP session. Xxxxx thoroughly enjoyed himself and
has already put into practise the strategies he was given providing
him with more confidence in certain situations.
It was a relief to know we were not alone in our experiences
and I was surprised by the similarities of experience among the
other parents. When noone else seems to have been supportive/understanding,
kidscape have provided that understanding and support.
I feel the work you do is invaluable and I truly hope that
your group receives appropriate funding to expand and continue
your work to address this important area that is neglected by
the powers that could do far more to intervene and protect children
from bullying.
Thanks once again Xxxxx and xxxxx xxxxx
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