Small actions make a big difference in fight against bullying #ChangeStartsWithUs

The theme for Anti-Bullying Week 2019 announced as ‘Change Starts With Us’

• Anti-Bullying Week runs from 11 to 15 November 2019
• Odd Socks Day for Anti-Bullying Week will be held on the first day of Anti-Bullying Week
• School Staff Award will recognise those who go the extra mile to support those being bullied

Whether it is verbal, physical, online or in-person, bullying has a significant impact on a child’s life well in to adulthood. The Anti-Bullying Alliance is urging action for this year’s Anti-Bullying Week and saying that by making small, simple changes, we can break this cycle and create a safe environment for everyone.

The Alliance has announced the theme of Anti-Bullying Week 2019 as ‘Change Starts With Us’, underlining how everyday acts like listening to young people, having a conversation, thinking about the impact of our words or stopping before hitting ‘like’ on a hurtful social media post, can help to reduce bullying.

The campaign aims to emphasise that we all have a part to play: Change Starts With Us.

Following a consultation with over 1,000 children and 200 teachers, schools staff and members of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, it emerged that a top priority was giving pupils, staff, parents and other key players such as government and industry the tools to prevent and respond to bullying both online and offline.

This year, the Anti-Bullying Alliance is expecting widespread support for Anti-Bullying Week, which was celebrated in 80% of schools in 2018. ABA will be working with young people to develop parent tools, films, a social media campaign and a set of free cross-curricular teaching resources to support both primary and secondary schools to embrace the theme.

Odd Socks Day will be held once again to mark the first day of Anti-Bullying Week. CBeebies star and Anti-Bullying Alliance patron Andy Day and his band Andy and the Odd Socks are supporting Anti-Bullying Week 2019 and are encouraging students to wear odd socks to school to celebrate what makes us all unique.

There will also be Anti-Bullying Week School Staff Awards for those inspiring members of the school workforce who go the extra mile to support pupils and prevent bullying. Pupils can nominate members of school staff for the award.

Martha Evans, Director of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, said:

“Children and young people tell us time and time again how being bullied can leave you feeling powerless. However, it does not have to be this way. Our consultation with pupils, teachers and many others, showed that we can all make changes to be part of the solution. Whether it is speaking to someone we trust when bullying happens to us, or calling it out if we suspect it’s happening to someone else, we can all work together for a solution. Remember, change starts here, change starts now, change starts with us.”

Quote from Andy Day:

“Once again Andy and the Odd Socks are right behind Anti-Bullying Week. On the first day of the campaign, we are asking children to get creative with their footwear on Odd Socks Day and show they are celebrating what makes us all unique. Look out for this year’s toe tapping Change Starts With Us song to help bring Odd Socks Day to life.”