KEY+ Group: Four Fantastic Girls

Four Fantastic Girls is a group of neuro-diverse young women who took on the KEY+ Challenge and chose to create a unique and invaluable resource — a Girl Power booklet aimed at supporting their peers through key life transitions.

Drawing from their own experiences of growing up, the guide explores important topics such as puberty, relationships, friendships, and practical advice on moving on from school and building independence. The booklet is designed to be a supportive tool, offering reassurance and guidance to young women navigating these significant milestones.

They created 150 professionally printed guides which their teachers are using during PSHE lessons at the school. They are also placed in the school library, ensuring they are accessible to students for years to come.

When the young women reflected on what they had enjoyed most during the project they agreed that they had loved coming together as a team, making new friends and overcoming obstacles together.  They loved seeing their ideas come to life in a professionally printed booklet and one member particularly enjoyed seeing her artwork reproduced professionally. They are proud of being able to leave a legacy at their school, one that they have used their life experiences to form and to help other young people facing similar challenges.

During the project, the group developed essential life skills including:

• Teamwork: working together to create a resource. They had to agree on the content and divide responsibility for tasks, ensuring everyone had a voice.
• Communication: the group canvassed fellow pupils, parents and teachers for their opinion about what content would be valuable. 
• Confidence-building:  they had to interact with different groups of people and then present something quite personal to the whole school.  The hugely positive feedback they received from students and teachers alike has boosted their self-esteem.

The group have said that the project has made them more confident and better prepared for their transition to colleges.

The young women would encourage other young people to get involved with the Key.  One member said “Just go for it with no worries.  It’s so fun!”

 Through their efforts, the ‘Four Fantastic Girls’ have not only enhanced their own personal development but have also left an enduring impact on their school and peers.