Hope’s Garden

Hope’s Garden offers an educational outreach program to increase public awareness about eating disorders and to teach prevention information to youths. Our speakers are frequently invited to talk to a wide variety of agencies, school groups such as parent councils, teachers and coaches, as well as in classrooms and assemblies to students from grades 4 and up.

Please contact info@hopesgarden.org or 519-434-7721 to request a speaker for any of the following presentations:

Body Image and Self Esteem

This interactive presentation takes an in depth look at factors influencing our body image and self esteem. By challenging cultural norms, past and present, and looking critically at everyday images we can better understand why our body image and our self esteem fluctuate. Tools and techniques on ways to build positive body image and self esteem are offered. Group discussion is strongly encouraged.

Media Literacy

The average person is exposed to over 3000 advertisements each day. This presentation explains how to be media literate – ability to sift through and analyze the messages that inform, entertain and sell to us every day. Media images and messages presented in different forms are discussed and evaluated. The goal of this presentation is to educate and empower the audience to critically view the world around us.

Healthy Eating

Between fad diets, fast food, and frozen dinners we’ve become lost. Lets go back to the basics with healthy eating by beginning with Canada’s (new) Food Guide, this presentation is a reminder on how we can nourish our bodies and maintain a healthy life style through healthy food choices and regular exercise. Why we diet and methods behind some of today’s most popular fad diets are also discussed.

Understanding Eating Disorders

This presentation is designed for adults in positions of trust such as Teachers, Coaches, Parent Councils etc. Discussion around the signs and symptoms of different eating disorders and tips on how to encourage prevention is the focus of this presentation. Participants will learn to recognize when someone may need help, and how to help a person who already suffers with an eating disorder.

I Like Me: Promoting Healthy Habits

This presentation is designed for children between ages 6-9 and 10-13. Children as young as 8 are now displaying disordered eating behaviours. This activity based presentation focuses on building the child’s self image and equipping them with the tools needed to maintain a positive perception for a life time. The audience will be introduced to concepts of self esteem, body image, healthy eating and positive self-talk.

GIRLPOWER!

GirlPower! is an art workshop facilitated by art therapist, Gill Yealland. A choice of activities depending on the age of the group are available. The activities are designed to promote positive body image and self esteem. This workshop can be requested as an adjunct to one of the above talks, or it can stand alone.

All presentations are free of charge. When booking a presentation please book a minimum of one month in advance. Presentations can be modified for a specific audience or length of time available.

Thank you to the London Community Foundation and to RBC Financial Group for their financial support of the Speaker’s Bureau.