Getting teenagers to communicate effectively with their peers and community is often challenging, but the 'Get Real' programme takes up the challenge in a fun and constructive way.

The 12-step programme, developed by Presbyterian minister Diane Gilliam-Weeks, is a nationwide programme largely centred in Canterbury and Otago. It is based on the Alcoholics Anonymous scheme but is targeted towards young people.

Otago 'Get Real' co-ordinator Anna Baker says the scheme runs during term time and involves different activities to promote effective social skills and positive self-images for all the adolescents involved.

These include acknowledging difficult personal issues, listening skills, respect for others and self-respect.

This can be done by playing a variation of snakes and ladders: snakes meaning talking about issues that the young people can't change and the ladders being aspects of themselves they can.

Other games involve blindfolding to demonstrate the importance of having a guiding influence in life and drawing pictures under someone else's direction, without the latter looking to show the importance of listening in.

The sessions usually end with the serenity prayer in keeping with the overall programme theme.

Anna says the backgrounds and circumstances of the teenagers in the groups she co-ordinates vary.

"It's right across the spectrum: people with two parents and those who have issues with family members at home.

"There are some who have undergone alcohol, drug or sexual abuse but some simply have got some social interaction issues."

Saddle Hill Foundation Trust community youth worker and Taieri Presbyterian Church member Lesley Southee runs the programme at Taieri High School.

"It's not necessarily a programme for students at risk. They may have self-esteem problems; issues with their confidence in friendships and at school."

Some students are referred from school counsellors or Youth Aid officers, others from general contacts within the school.

Lesley says the key to succeeding with the programme is the co-ordinators themselves being reliable.

"It comes from you following up with everything and being there 100 percent," she says.

Appropriate boundaries are set in place for the students and these are followed up on, she says.

"The rules are set up in the first week and what you say is these are the consequences if they're not followed. We have to abide by them."

Anna says changes in the students are mostly gradual, but are discernible over a period of time.

"We had one person who stood up and stormed out, but by week 10 he was in the group and enjoying it."

Queen's High School Assistant Principal Colleen Lyons says the school is into its fourth year with 'Get Real.'

She says the positive aspects of the programme come through in terms of the students' motivation and interpersonal skills.

"It's helpful for making new friendships, relationship issues, sharing their ideas and hearing about other people's opinions."

"I have found both co-ordinators extremely well-organised and we have been thoroughly happy with having the 'Get Real' staff in our school programmes."