Local stylist Natacha Diskin, known as Savvy Style, is helping children build confidence through workshops focused on personal style and self-expression. Aimed at students in their final year of primary school transitioning to secondary, these workshops address the low self-esteem that often begins in childhood, empowering kids to embrace their individuality. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Natacha and learn more about her passion for boosting children’s confidence, enabling them to effortlessly channel their authentic selves.

From the outset, it’s clear that Natacha’s approach to styling is holistic, with a strong emphasis on well-being. With a background in mental health and qualifications as a CBT therapist specialising in low self-esteem, she brings a unique skill set to her work. Natacha uses style as a well-being tool, empowering children to embrace their true selves and express themselves authentically.

Q: What motivated you to conduct confidence workshops specifically for this age group?

A: As a CBT therapist, my work focuses on the development, maintenance, and recovery from low self-esteem. Our ideas about self-belief begin to form as early as age four, and by age twelve, these beliefs can significantly influence the decisions we make into adulthood. This insight motivated me to deliver confidence workshops specifically for this age group.

Q: I’ve never considered style as a well-being tool, which seems surprising now. Why do you think this perspective hasn’t been introduced to children before, and how did you come to start delivering your workshops?

A: From my background in mental health, I’ve seen both professionally and personally that low self-esteem is often linked to how others perceive us, rather than our own internal thoughts. I believe that as a stylist with mental health expertise, I can challenge those negative self-perceptions and help children express their true selves through unique personal style.

I wanted to give back to my children’s primary school to show my appreciation for their education. So, I reached out to the school to see if they would be interested in collaborating, and I couldn’t have received a more positive response.

Q: When approaching a Style and Confidence Workshop, how do we define confidence, and what aspects are typically covered in a session?

A: The sessions focus on using personal style to build confidence and help our authentic selves shine through. I encourage discussions around how we can grow our confidence, leading to explorations of choices in what we wear, how we express our voices, and the actions we take. Ultimately, this empowers children to make intentional choices and embrace their individuality.

Exploring how Natacha delivers these workshops brought both her and me to tears. It was a deeply emotional moment as she reflected on her own experiences as a child and teenager, wishing that a confidence workshop like this could have changed her life. I also recalled my struggles with self-hate and body image, and I too wish these workshops had been available to me, especially since children today face so many expectations.

Overall, it’s clear that workshops like those run by Savy Style effectively address low self-esteem in children. By transforming negative thoughts into positive ones, these sessions aim to improve their self-image and help them express their authentic selves through their clothing. Natacha shared the joy she felt when she saw a young child, passionate about Stranger Things, channeling that enthusiasm by wearing an ’80s jacket and sneakers—truly representing who they are as a person.

It was a pleasure to sit down with Natacha and learn more about her holistic approach to styling and her passion for empowering children to be as confident as possible. I believe that such simple workshops can have a profound impact on future generations, equipping them with a strong sense of self-esteem as they transition into adulthood. Through her work, Natacha is not just helping children express their personal style; she’s fostering a foundation of confidence that will serve them throughout their lives.

Check out Savy Style and Natacha’s amazing work by visiting their website below!

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