Most of the support we provide is through groupwork in schools and some follow up one to one support.

We have been running groups now in schools in Brighton and Hove for 10 years. CORE have worked with around 200 young people.  The groups run for 8 weeks and are usually the length of 1 lesson.  We cover subjects such as identity, influences, emotions, stress and what helps. The topics are all designed to build up the CORE (confidence, optimism, resilience and esteem) of the young people we work with.

When the young people have completed the group, they have an option of one to one work, which is solution focused mentoring, to talk more about some of the topics in the group that they want to discuss and explore further.

We specialise in working with highly sensitive young people.

Highly sensitive people

About 20% of people are highly sensitive.

Highly sensitive people take in more than less sensitive people through their senses, they have a more reactive nervous system. 

There are many wonderful qualities in being more sensitive, such as being kind and compassionate, noticing other people’s needs and what can be done in a situation to improve it. Some environments and life circumstances can be more challenging for highly sensitive people, the school environment can be particularly challenging, noisy, brightly lit classrooms and corridors, academic and peer pressures. 

Adolescence can already be a difficult time with rapidly shifting emotions and questions around identity. CORE groups and one to one session’s offer safe, calm, creative spaces to help young people explore amongst other things, the challenges and benefits of high sensitivity, and to develop the ability to cope better with challenges they face.

Below are some of the quotes taken from our evaluation form’s:

‘I’ve been able to start accepting compliments and feel better about myself.  I also know more techniques to use when I’m stressed.’

‘I’m feeling comfortable talking about my feelings.’

‘I have been able to cope with overwhelming emotions better.’

‘More confident and more able to cope with things.’

‘The advice has helped me to stay calm and love myself more.’

‘Friendships- generally getting better on with them, I feel more confident in standing up for myself.’

‘Well, I feel I’m getting better at keeping friendships.’

‘I’ve been able to resolve my own problems much easier and keep calm and also been more open in talking about my problems.’

‘I made more friends, I don’t get scared anymore like I use to, I feel free.’

‘I feel good about myself.’