Being able to connect with others makes us all feel like we belong.
This is the basis of all work we do here at The Social Gym – to empower young people to communicate and connect to others so they are happy, productive members of society
What does working on ‘social skills’ actually mean?
We live in a social world. Whether it be playing in the playground, asking questions at school, going for a job interview or simply going shopping - we are constantly expected to connect with others. Have you ever thought about all of the hidden rules that go along with being a socially connected person in today’s world?
Sending and receiving messages just by the way we stand in a group
Changing what we say and how we say things depending on who we are talking to
Being a good friend and finding good friends
Recognizing why a friend is starting to find me annoying and working out what to do next or what to do next when a friend is being annoying
Working out why sometimes rules are ‘flexible’ and other times there is no budging
Social cues become more complex and nuanced as we get older and it can certainly get confusing. There are an endless number of hidden rules in society and some people need a little help figuring it all out. That is where we can come in.
TOgether we can learn to decipher the world so it is easier to understand and connect to
Common reasons for referral:
Difficulty making friends or keeping friends
Difficulty understanding others perspectives
Difficulty with changes in routines and being 'flexible' in different situations
Difficulty starting or maintaining conversations
Inappropriate behaviour in social situations - perhaps they are often seen as 'awkward' in different situations
Difficulty hanging out with friends outside of the school environment
Difficulty understanding body language and recognising others' body language
Using social media appropriately
Adapting communication depending on who we are speaking to and where we are speaking to them
Difficulty organising social activities with friends
