Confidence-building is at the heart of everything we do at Perform. We caught up with three of our wonderful parents* to share their children's real-life journeys, highlighting the transformative power of our weekly workshops and specialised LAMDA training.
The two-week confidence breakthrough
For five-year-old Angelina, starting Perform was the spark for an incredible confidence-building journey. Naturally quiet, her mother Emily hoped the classes would give her the self-assurance she needed to face new environments.
The breakthrough came just two weeks after Angelina started, when she confidently walked up to a peer to initiate play - a social leap her mother had never seen her make before.
"It was a real surprise because she'd never displayed any of that kind of inner 'I want to do this, so I'm going to use my voice,'" Emily recalls. "To witness her actively walk up to a child she barely knew and confidently ask, 'Can I play with you?' was something I've never seen her do."
This newfound bravery has allowed Angelina to change how she tackles the day. Previously, she required a predictable routine to feel secure, but now, she's happier to "go with the flow."
"She used to only have confidence if she was in a very secure area where she knew what was coming around the corner," Emily explains. "She would need to have a rough plan of what was happening during the day. Now, she can just go with it."
Today, she has transformed into an articulate, expressive leader in her class.
"She's very articulate in being able to say 'so-and-so did this, and then this happened," Emily says. "A lot of that has come from the classes and the Weekly Focuses at Perform".
"I would say it's the best thing you can do for your child. It is absolutely worth every penny."
Speaking with impact: Joe's LAMDA journey
For 13-year-old Joe, the transition from Perform weekly workshops to the online LAMDA public speaking program has been a game-changer. A Perform regular from the ages of 4 to 12, the classes instilled in him a lifelong love of plays, music, dance and singing.
"I think doing those regular performances at Perform gave him a natural increase in confidence," says his mum, Sarah. "And that was really great to see."
While Joe already possesses a natural love for drama, the specialised LAMDA training has given him the practical tools to channel these skills into powerful, structured communication.
Joe recently proved just how far his public speaking confidence has come during his LAMDA exam. He successfully delivered a speech on the benefits of music on mental well-being using only a few bullet points on a flashcard.
Sarah couldn't be prouder of how the program has pushed him to grow: "The Perform LAMDA teachers have really helped give Joe the confidence to deliver a speech on a subject that he's passionate about. It was really nice to see him understand how to construct and structure the speech and then deliver it with impact and conviction"
Beyond learning valuable life skills, the program also offers long-term academic benefits. "Another great thing about the LAMDA public speaking program is that it ties into the GCSE syllabus for English," Sarah adds.
After passing his exam with flying colours, Joe is already back for the next grade with Perform.
Building bravery inside and outside the classroom
For six-year-old Florence, starting Perform was the key to stepping out of her shell. Naturally quiet and reserved, her mother, Sam, hoped the classes would give her the self-assurance she needed to thrive.
Soon after Florence started Perform, her school teacher, unaware she had joined the drama workshops, remarked on a sudden boost in her confidence.
"The teacher told me how much confidence Florence had suddenly gained and asked what it was down to," Sam recalls. "I said it was probably down to Perform, because now she has to put her hand up and perform in front of others. All those little steps are building her confidence."
This newfound bravery has spilt over into everyday life, giving Florence the self-assurance to interact with adults independently.
"I give her a little bit of pocket money, and she's able to go to the cashier and pay for it herself," Sam explains. "Before, she wouldn't be confident enough to do that and would always ask me to do it for her."
The pinnacle of Florence's journey came at a recent school assembly.
"She had quite a few lines, songs and solo parts and she just seemed so confident coming forward and doing her part," Sam says. "She's probably still quite nervous, but she does it with such confidence. When I see her on stage, it's actually quite emotional. It is a really proud moment."
*Parent and child names have been changed for privacy.
