People Skills for Young Adults

Section 1 Friendships: introduction; what are friends? influences on relationships; personal development; social networks; making new friends; loneliness; barriers in friendships; conclusions. Section 2 Social skills training: introduction; social and relationships rules; loneliness and poor social skills; speech and body messages; role play; role plays in action; self-disclosure; listening skills; self-confidence and shyness; making conversation; conclusion. Section 3 assertiveness: introduction; assertiveness; protecting yourself; feelings and complaints; saying no, compliments and asking for what you want; conclusion. Section 4 Counselling: introduction; counselling; counselling in practice. Information sheet - national helplines.

The course is divided into three parts: part one deals with the nature and maintenance of friendship; part two with interpersonal social skills; part three with assertiveness -and believe it or not - 'counselling'. The aim here is not to produce young amateur counsellors so much as to foster the attainment of a deeper, more meaningful level of communication and support in personal relationships.