Life happens : health and wellbeing training exercises to encourage resilience and development in young people

This practical training manual builds upon a published model of resilience.

It looks at how to work with young people to maintain their sexual health and wellbeing and encourage them to think about risk taking behavior and consider their actions.

It is a collection of exercises to use in formal or informal education settings, suitable for all practitioners working with young people to raise self-esteem and build resilience. The transition from adolescence to adulthood can be a problematic time for a young person.

Many young people tell us they constantly receive mixed messages about morals, sex, alcohol and drugs.

More recently, celebrity culture has added to the creation of unrealistic and unhealthy aspirations for young people.

They also say that their SRE is too little, too late and too biologicalA" and that it doesn't help them to deal with feelings, choices and decision making.

Young people who demonstrate resilience have greater control over their lives, have a more positive view of and plans for the future, and a stronger sense of attachment to other people and social institutions, such as their school and the community in which they live. Therefore, it is imperative that young people feel sufficiently resilient and equipped to handle the situations life presents them with.

Working with young people to develop their resilience in sexual health can help them understand consent, their own rights and what support is available. This manual enables workers to encourage positive sexual and emotional development for young people aged 11 and above.

It helps minimise young people's involvement in risk taking behaviour, and brings together a variety of tried and tested training exercises in a practical and accessible format. Readership: Professionals working with young people; particularly useful for those working in targeted youth support, pupil referral units or with looked after children and young people