Year 10 students at Bacon’s College built their confidence and thought about how to present themselves at a lively two-hour workshop run by Canada Water Connect and London Bubble Theatre Company.
Canada Water Connect, who connect local people with opportunities being created by the development, and London Bubble Theatre Company, who engage people with the arts in non-theatre settings, ran the workshop at Bacon’s College for 180 students. The aim was to give young people practical tools and a boost in self-belief to prepare them for their upcoming two-week work experience programme.
The session was all about getting students to see their own strengths. With guidance from three London Bubble facilitators, they took part in creative theatre games, storytelling and role-play. Through these activities, the students practised expressing themselves, speaking in front of others, and sharing their ideas.
The workshop also focused on personal branding through a segment facilitated by Canada Water Connect staff Ian, Lauren and Cordel. This encouraged students to think about what makes them unique, what skills they already have, and what kind of impression they want to create. By exploring these ideas, students could build a clearer picture of who they are and how to talk about themselves with confidence.
Teachers at Bacon’s College noticed the difference in the students straight away. Following the session, they said, students seemed more self-assured and better able to talk about what makes them who they are. For many, even just trying out their ideas in front of others felt like a huge step forward.
Canada Water Connect’s Senior Employment and Skills Manager Ian Walker said: “Upskilling and empowering young adults to better understand themselves and their personal brand is hugely important in preparing them for the future world of work. This goes hand in hand with building their confidence. By equipping them with the skills to present themselves effectively, they greatly improve their chances of success as they transition from education into employment.”
Canada Water Connect launched in 2023 as a joint venture between British Land and charity ELBA. Their mission is to connect local people with opportunities being created by the development, including jobs, support for businesses and access to funding for community projects. To date they have linked 133 people into long-term employment, with 89 people earning and learning on apprenticeships and 110 local people having completed professional training courses on their pathway to employment. 39% of all candidates supported into work are Black, Asian or from the Global Majority, making progress towards British Land’s ambition to reflect the diverse local community.
