Celebrating One Year of ‘Body Image Coach CIC’ Through Video Animation.
- Olivia, Body Image Coach
- Jul 3, 2024
- 4 min read
On July 5th, we celebrate the first anniversary of Body Image Coach CIC, a milestone marking a year of dedication, growth, and impact. Founded by Olivia Bowden, a professional coach with over a decade of experience in mental health, Body Image Coach CIC has come a long way since its inception.
The Visionary Behind the Initiative
Olivia Bowden's journey to creating Body Image Coach CIC is deeply personal and inspiring. Having overcome Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and an eating disorder in her early life, Olivia has always been passionate about helping others navigate similar challenges. Her extensive background in mental health and her professional coaching and counselling credentials made her the perfect advocate for young people struggling with body image issues.
In July last year, Olivia decided to follow her dreams and launched an innovative animated program tailored for young people aged 11-16. This program addresses eating disorders, BDD, and muscle dysmorphia, combining Olivia's expertise with her genuine love for working with adolescents. The feedback speaks for itself on TRustPilot
One Year of Achievements
From a one-person initiative, Body Image Coach CIC has grown into a dynamic team of five, including therapists, a coach, and a dedicated volunteer. Here are some of our notable achievements over the past year:
Delivered to 326 Adolescents: We've reached hundreds of young people, making a tangible difference in their lives.
Pilots Delivered to Schools: Our program has been piloted in numerous schools, receiving positive feedback and making a meaningful impact.
Podcast Series on YouTube: We've launched a podcast series, offering insights and discussions on body image and mental health for parents.
Created a Website that gives: Our website serves as a hub for resources, program information, and support as well as a free awareness workshop in animation.
Developed Resources for Schools and Parents: We've created valuable materials like eating disorders and BDD guides, to aid schools and parents in supporting young people with body image issues as well as being invited to join podcasts like ‘Mini First aid’ and write for family magazines such as ABC magazine, all helping parents and schools to spot the signs of a young person struggling.
1-2-1 Coaching: Our personalized coaching sessions have helped many adolescents navigate their unique challenges and we’ve witnessed mind shifts that help them come away from their body image disorder.
Built a dedicated team: Our growing team brings diverse expertise and a shared commitment to our mission.
Established a Social Media Presence: We're active on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, connecting with our community and spreading awareness.
What We Have Learned
Value of Training Programs: We have greatly benefited from a 12-week course by Mind Blossom. This program has been invaluable, providing our staff with significant insights and skills that have enhanced our ability to support young people with body image disorders. If you want to learn more, visit: www.mindblossom.org
Early Impact: Despite being in our early stages, we have already made a positive impact on the lives of many adolescents. We've helped change mindsets around body image, and seeing these transformations is what makes our work truly worthwhile.
Challenges with School Engagement: Schools have shown a strong interest in our services, recognizing their importance. However, many schools face financial constraints and are limited by time and resources, making it challenging for them to fully engage with our programs. This is hard for us to hear as we know that schools need this the most and so do CAMHS and the NHS.
Learning to Accept Your Body and Who You Are
At Body Image Coach, we understand that moving from loathing or disliking your body to loving it is not immediate. Our approach focuses on helping young people take gradual steps towards body awareness and acceptance with a robust coaching tool designed for young people.
"Through our program, 82% of 11-16-year-olds reported scoring 7 (I accept myself) or above on the acceptance scale, with nearly 50% reaching a score of 10 (I love myself) after completing the program."
Empowering Young People to Feel More Positive About Their Bodies
We believe every child deserves to feel comfortable in their body, enabling them to freely pursue their goals, interests, and education. Our program engages young people in challenging negative thoughts and creating a new narrative about their self-worth.
Our feedback shows that 79% of 11-16-year-olds felt better about themselves after completing the Body Image Coach program.
Creating a Positive Future
Body Image Coach helps young people develop a positive mindset by challenging negative thoughts and beliefs. This empowerment allows them to make small but meaningful changes to improve their self-worth and esteem. While this transformation does not happen overnight, ongoing support from schools, parents, peers, and coaches is crucial.
Our research indicates that 60% of 11-16-year-olds noticed improvements in their self-perception after completing the program.
By fostering acceptance and positivity, we aim to create lasting change in the lives of young people, helping them build a brighter, more confident future.
If you would like to donate to this cause or invest in our project, please get in touch. Or maybe you know a parent whose child is struggling. Or you may work somewhere, knowing this is just what you need in your service! We work on-line across the globe and have supported young people across Europe!
Contact:
Body Image Coach CIC
07984380101 // 07944930907
Stay connected with us on:
LinkedIn] @bodyimagecoach4teens
Facebook @bodyimagecoach4teens
Instagram @bodyimagecoach4teens
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