People to People offers training in social skills to people who suffer shyness or a lack of confidence. It covers relaxation, territoriality, body language and the use of voice and spoken language in the context of everyday social and work situations. It does not attempt to cover subjects for which expert guidance or therapy is necessary.
During the course, the leaders ensure that nobody is feeling excluded or threatened by the group and it is emphasised that it is natural to feel nervous (one of the aims of the course is to point out the positive aspects of being shy and to give people permission to feel as they do).
After each class, the leaders discuss individual progress and will, if necessary, telephone members of the class to talk about any difficulties they may be having with the course.
Training sessions for leaders are organised locally from time to time, using the experience of volunteers who have already led courses. This training is freely available to people from other areas who would like to start their own groups. The detailed notes for course leaders are also available at cost, on condition that the notes are not used in connection with private or commercial classes.
Future plans include the strengthening of contacts with the medical profession and the creation of new groups elsewhere, perhaps working under their central guidance.
Alec Roscoe, People to People, 25 Temple Court, Bengeo, Hertford.