Award Winning Gossip School teaches self-esteem
Our series, looking at the incredible Mental Healthy Award Winners and their inspiring work, begins today with Natasha Devon from ‘Gossip School’.
By Charlotte Fantelli
Journalist, body image and self-esteem expert, Natasha Devon, is a fighting force, tackling body image, self-esteem and inner confidence. Natasha does this through various means, including the award winning ‘Gossip School’.
Gossip School has delivered its 1-hour self-esteem class to over 10,000 13-18 year-old girls and boys, in schools, colleges and universities throughout the UK. It has also been delivered to groups of vulnerable adults such as support groups for victims of domestic violence.
Based on the premise that education should be about more than just academics, Body Gossip gives students ‘a foundation of confidence so that they can be the best version of themselves’.
The project has been acclaimed by some big names, including Gok Wan, who described Gossip School as ‘exactly what the UK is crying out for!’ It is also supported by Jo Swinson, Chairman of the APPG on Body Image.
Having suffered from severe bulimia nervosa in her late teens and early twenties, Natasha describes it as “an illness, which does untold damage to the mind but is difficult to see”.
Natasha tells us “I wanted to make a difference to teenagers struggling with similar problems, who are so often ignored or misunderstood.”
The impact of the organisation’s work has a knock on effect in many areas of life. Natasha’s mission: To help people “enjoy their early adulthoods, unshackled by body image concerns and lack of self-worth” and the feedback has shown it has helped students face up to issues such as self-harm, eating disorders and bullying.
On winning the Mental Healthy ‘Business Hero (SME)’ Award, Natasha tells us ‘I feel totally honoured to have been named a business hero by Mental Healthy, alongside some incredibly inspirational projects.’
We want to thank Natasha for taking the time to answer our questions, what an inspiring lady and a fantastic project. You can check out more about Gossip School and othe projects Natasha supports online at www.bodygossip.org/gossipschool.
