Forward Ready

Growing up needs more than grades.

We spend years preparing young people for exams, far less time helping them handle rejection, conflict, pressure and the moments that don’t come with instructions.

Five teenagers laughing together outdoors at sunset
ObserveAdaptAct
If you can overthink the worst, why not imagine the best?

Want to give it a try?

Let’s talk
01 / Situation

In a world that keeps changing…
Teenagers laughing together over their phones in a classroom

Life happens both online and offline. Friendships, comparison and disagreements can follow young people long after school ends.

Expectations are high. Academic achievement matters, but so do the everyday emotional and social demands that sit alongside it.

Those skills need experience. Empathy and self-regulation grow through opportunities to practise with others.

Alongside academic expectations, young people navigate friendships and pressure across online and offline spaces. Practical support matters more than ever.

02 / Problem

…connection can be harder to find…

In Sweden, fewer 13-year-olds report strong support from classmates than eight years earlier.

Support from classmates · Sweden, age 13

How many 13-year-olds feel supported by their classmates?

Girls

2013/14
~70%about 7 in 10
2021/22
~40%about 4 in 10

Boys

2013/14
~75%about 3 in 4
2021/22
58%about 6 in 10

Source: Public Health Agency of Sweden, Schoolchildren’s Health Behaviour in Sweden 2021/22, pp. 39–40 ↗. Support measures kindness, acceptance and how well classmates get along.

Understanding emotions. Building connections.

Friendships, disagreements and difficult feelings are part of growing up. But navigating them takes practice.

Where do young people get the chance to develop these skills?

Teenagers working at their desks during a busy classroom lesson
03 / Implication

…leaving young people struggling beyond friendships…

Everyday pressure can show up in school, friendships and family life. We want to give young people a supportive place to explore how they respond.

Teenagers sitting around tables, talking and listening to each other

At school

Worry and frustration can make participation, learning and asking for help harder.

With other people

Communication and perspective-taking can help children navigate conflict, exclusion and changing friendships.

Over time

With practical support, children can build more ways to respond when everyday setbacks arise.

04 / Need

…and needing space to practise skills for life…

Children need a place to practise life skills before life puts them to the test.

A group of teenagers in matching hoodies reaching their hands together into a circle
01 · Supported

Feel safe enough to participate

A respectful group environment where children can try, make mistakes, and grow with support.

02 · Practical

Work through real-life situations

Experiences that make teamwork, disagreement, frustration and choices tangible.

03 · Reflective

Notice personal progress

Specific goals and constructive feedback that help each child recognise their own progress.

05 / Our response

…through play, imagination and reflection…

Mental Gym helps young people develop emotional intelligence through drama pedagogy, playful activities and reflection.

A group of young people sitting together in a circle on the grass
Three students talking through ideas together at a round table
Our principles

Free of charge

Participation is free, so cost does not stand in the way of joining.

Learning by doing

Young people explore real-life challenges through play, imagination and reflection.

Space to be yourself

We respect different experiences and encourage everyone to participate at their own pace.

What children practise
SELF-AWARENESSUnderstand feelings and reactions.
SELF-REGULATIONRespond thoughtfully.
EMPATHYUnderstand different perspectives.
CONFIDENCEExpress themselves and navigate challenges.
How it works
Program activities are being developed with drama educators.
06 / People

…with people who support them along the way.

Framklar connects educational expertise, creativity and community perspectives to support young people’s development.

An adult mentor showing a teenager how to play the guitar
The people behind the approach

Framklar

Shapes the vision, develops programs and builds partnerships.

Educators & Facilitators

Create and guide engaging activities through play, creativity and experiential learning.

Children, Families & Partners

Share perspectives and feedback that help shape and improve our programs.

A message from our founder
“We can't control everything life brings our way. But we can learn to understand ourselves, recognise what is within our control, adapt to what isn't, and find the confidence to move forward. These are the skills I believe every young person should develop.”

Luka GurgenidzeFounder, Framklar

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Help us build a place worth growing up with.

We welcome educators, researchers, schools, families and organisations ready to share their knowledge, experience and support.

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