Meet Kevin: the Personal Assistant helping young people feel confident in body and mind
As you know, Happy Nest is well versed in childcare, providing qualified and experienced nannies, night nannies and a range of supportive roles in the home. But another service we provide which you may not have heard of before is that of a Personal Assistant – and probably not the kind you’re thinking of.
Personal Assistant is a title that can have several meanings, from business administration to duties in the home and even supporting those with additional needs. But our latest Personal Assistant, Kevin Cowdroy, is a PA with a difference. He provides a unique service, supporting young people and teenagers in both body and mind. Focussing on using physical fitness to improve confidence and social skills. And the response from clients has been so positive we thought it was time we introduced you.
What is a Happy Nest Personal Assistant?
When you hear the term Personal Assistant, you likely think of a corporate PA. Someone who supports a senior staff member in an administrative role. Helping them with everything from managing their diary to taking minutes at meetings. Many a top boss would be lost without their trusted PA.
Kevin is a very different kind of PA. But the service he provides is just as invaluable to a very different kind of client.
The young people he works with may have learning difficulties, or they may struggle with confidence and social skills. He is a combination of mentor, companion and personal trainer to his young clients. Providing them with a chance to enjoy themselves outside the family environment, to build their confidence, learn life skills and improve their physical fitness.
In turn, this also provides their families with some much needed support and everyone gets some much needed time to themselves.
Who is Kevin?
Kevin is a qualified Personal Trainer who has been training adults and young people in a
gym environment for several years.
He has extensive experience working with young people in a variety of settings. He worked for YMCA supporting young people in difficult situations. He has also managed several youth sport groups, including football teams, cricket and athletics. In addition to being a Personal Assistant, he currently works for Boxercise as a Master Trainer. And as a Personal Trainer, working one-to-one with adults and young people.
What kind of clients does a Personal Assistant work with?
At the moment Kevin is working with young people who have SEND. But he’s also open to working with any young person who may need help with their physical fitness, confidence and social skills.
For instance, if your teenagers might like to go to a sports club but don’t feel confident enough to go by themselves. Or if your teen struggles in a group setting but needs an activity away from screens. Kevin can provide a way to keep fit in a positive, safe environment that improves confidence.
How would a Personal Assistant look after my child?
Any session with a Personal Assistant is tailored to an individual client or young person’s needs. Kevin’s service focuses on fitness, both body and mind. With the aim to increase physical fitness and confidence. It’s usually a combination of personal training and social activities.
Kev’s current client, for example, is a young man with ADHD. He has a lot of energy, but finds his condition frustrating and struggles with new experiences.
Twice a week, Kevin will pick him up from home and take him out for a morning or an evening.
“We’ve worked on setting up a routine that he’s comfortable with. We keep to the same routine so he feels reassured, but we have an agreement to add things occasionally.”
First they go to the gym, where they work on strength training. As a qualified Personal Trainer, Kevin knows how to create age appropriate exercise routines. Keeping it fun while building up fitness.
“I always make sure he has water and his mission is to drink it all by the time we’ve finished training.”
After the gym, they head to a cafe for something to eat and a hot chocolate – a favourite activity of his client’s. They chat about various interests and what else they might plan to do together. This particular client is interested in science and biology. So they might talk through the training they’re doing together and how this is affecting the body and various muscles. Then Kevin takes him home.
It might be a whole morning’s adventure, or an evening out. It sounds simple, but for both the parents and the young person he works with, it means so much more.
One-to-one support for young people with special education needs (SEN)
Children with SEN or learning difficulties often feel isolated and struggle with confidence. It can be harder for them to build relationships with others. As they become older they might become more aware of their differences and find this frustrating.
For young people, what Kevin provides is a chance to feel more independent, build confidence and develop social skills. Taking them to the gym helps with mental health and physical confidence, plus they feel like they’re part of a community. With Kevin they can relax in a safe environment. Being themselves while also learning conversation skills and how to negotiate friendships.
“At the gym he’s part of something. My colleagues are very welcoming and he feels accepted, which is great for his confidence.”
For the parents of the young people Kevin works with, the time he spends with their children is equally as valuable. A rare few hours for them to relax and focus on themselves. Parenting a child with additional needs can, at times, be very challenging. It requires a lot of patience and energy – especially as the children become young adults and want more freedom. Being able to entrust someone else with your child, even if just for a morning, provides a rare chance for some essential self care. Plus they get to see their child’ confidence grow – and that’s huge.
“I can take a young person out to do something they enjoy in a safe environment and this allows both parties to have some personal space. I take the pressure off the parents a bit by hopefully being an active, positive influence – allowing them to have some breathing space. Hopefully I compliment the family dynamic.”
What makes our Personal Assistant role so successful?
A combination of experience, patience, personality and professionalism. Kevin is willing to work with a client’s needs, but also gently pushes them to try new things.
“I’m in charge, but I never talk down to clients or be too authoritative. Luckily we both have a good sense of humour, so that helps. It’s not about boot camp or drilling people, it’s about finding their interests and channelling their energy.”
Any contact is gradual and on the client’s terms. After several initial meetings with the parents and the client at home, when they feel comfortable, Kevin will begin taking them out. Each session is built around fitness training and the client’s individual interests.
It may be once a week to start and increase slowly, or not, as per the client’s wishes. With his current client he’s now taking him out two evenings a week and they’re hoping to plan more activities during the school holidays.
“I love the Personal Assistant role. It’s been a new challenge for me but it’s so rewarding.
I love working with young people and like to think I bring value to their lives.”
What’s the process of employing a Personal Assistant?
The first step with any prospective client would be to set up an informal meeting with the parents. Happy Nest can arrange the initial meeting and Kevin might meet with you a couple of times before even meeting with your child. If that all goes well, we’d arrange a meeting somewhere everyone feels comfortable.
It’s always a gradual process and there are several steps before a young person would go out on their own with Kevin. We want everyone involved to feel safe and confident at all times.
How can I get a Personal Assistant for my child?
If the Personal Assistant role sounds like something your family would benefit from, get in touch today and Happy Nest will be happy to help.
Call 0800 955 8868
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