MAKE ME A GROWN UP
PROGRAMME 5: CAMERON
BACKGROUND
Nineteen-year-old Cameron lives in North London. He left school three years ago with seven GCSEs and wants to be a model. He has the height, the build and the personality but he cannot function in any company other than that of family and friends. Cameron has had a variety of jobs since leaving school and they all have one thing in common. He does not have to speak to anyone. Communicating with strangers raises his anxiety levels and turns his palms sweaty. He cannot cope with pressure and becomes inarticulate, stumbling over simple words and rarely finishing a sentence.
Cameron is painfully shy. His nightmare is to be the centre of attention and to stand out in a crowd. He uses an urban-style uniform of black baggy tracksuits to help him blend in. Unfortunately, this has the opposite effect. It turns him into an intimidating black column that everyone notices. His body language exacerbates this intimidating effect. He sends out all the wrong signals by hiding his hands in his pockets or behind his back, avoiding eye contact, looking down, and moving on the spot. He scares strangers, especially older people. As Cameron says, they think that he is a thug, a criminal or a yob.
Cameron knows that his shyness is holding him back. He has some vague ideas about how to tackle the problems it causes him but has no specific action in mind. The mentoring team takes on the role of building Cameron's confidence, helping him to:
- communicate with strangers
- show people what he is really like
- wear clothes that reflect his personality.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EXERCISES
Acute shyness causes serious social problems for some people. Stephen deals with Cameron's problems in a matter-of-fact way, intervening regularly to give him support and practical advice. Cameron learns to convey confidence, open conversations and tackle his fears – fear of what other people will think, and fear of taking risks. The exercises show that achieving small changes can build the confidence needed to make bigger changes. Anyone who regards shyness as being one of their problems can use the exercises independently, or with support.
THE MAKEOVER
The makeover vividly demonstrates how a change in personal style can have a positive effect on self-confidence, self-belief and the ability to take risks.
THE FINAL CHALLENGE
Cameron meets and works with real models and a top photographer, James Woodland.
