Welcome to Yorkshire
A Yorkshire mother and daughter duo, Amanda (60) and Bea Clarke (16), are making waves in a new Boots campaign titled ‘Give It Some Boots’, which focuses on the theme of confidence. The campaign highlights their personal journeys and how they’ve tackled life’s challenges while promoting resilience and self-expression.
Amanda’s Journey
Amanda’s story is particularly inspiring. After undergoing cancer treatment, she faced severe hair loss that affected her self-esteem. To help rebuild her confidence, she turned to a Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisor. This professional guided her on how to enhance her appearance using beauty techniques, from realistic eyebrow drawing to applying false eyelashes. These small yet significant changes helped Amanda feel more like herself again.
In addition to these beauty tips, Amanda discovered the joy of wearing wigs. She now has a collection of 15 bold wigs that allow her to express her individuality and creativity. Alongside her beauty routine, Amanda has incorporated mood-boosting activities into her daily life, such as:
Listening to music
Talking to friends
Doing jigsaws
These simple pleasures have become vital in her journey towards rebuilding her confidence.
Bea’s Stage Confidence
Bea, a budding stage performer, also shares her experiences of confidence. Like many young people, she feels the pressure to appear confident, even when she struggles with self-doubt. Her daily rituals, which include beauty routines, singing, and dancing, help her prepare for performances and express herself on stage. Bea's experiences reflect the reality for many young people in Yorkshire, where 81% of those aged 18-24 have admitted to putting on a brave face at least once a week when feeling overwhelmed.
The Confidence Gap
The Clarke family’s story comes at a time when new research from Boots reveals a troubling ‘confidence gap’ across the UK. The study found that:
50% of people in Yorkshire admit they appear confident to others while secretly battling self-doubt.
Almost three-quarters (74%) of Yorkshire residents put on a brave face when feeling overwhelmed at least once a month.
45% of Yorkshire residents reported that feelings of loneliness or isolation have impacted their confidence in the past year, which rises to 67% among younger individuals aged 18-24.
This research highlights the importance of discussing mental health and confidence. With so many people feeling this way, Amanda and Bea’s experiences resonate with many in the community.
Expert Advice
To further support individuals looking to build their confidence, Boots is collaborating with Dr Linda Papadopoulos, a clinical psychologist known for her expertise in mental health. Dr Papadopoulos has shared five practical strategies to help people develop resilience and confidence during challenging times. These tips can be beneficial for anyone struggling with self-doubt or looking to improve their mental well-being.
Everyday Mood Boosters
According to the research, many Yorkshire residents have identified simple moments that brighten their day. The findings show that:
52% of people feel uplifted by receiving good news.
42% often turn to music for motivation and to boost their mood.
These insights underline the power of positivity and community support in overcoming difficulties.
Amanda and Bea Clarke’s story is a powerful reminder that confidence is not about being fearless; it’s about taking small steps to rediscover oneself. Their journey showcases the importance of support, whether through beauty, friendship, or professional advice. As they share their experiences, they inspire others in Yorkshire and beyond to embrace their unique paths to confidence and resilience in everyday life.
