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Bullying In Northamptonshire
Based on research undertaken within Northamptonshire schools since 2006 using the National Anti Bullying Alliance materials, we know that at any one time an average of 50% of children are being bullied in Northamptonshire and an average of 40% of children are not happy with what their school is doing to tackle the problem. The older children become the higher the figure of dissatisfaction is with the school. Bullying includes verbal, physical and psychological abuse on a day-to-day basis for thousands of children. With immediate and long term effects on health, mental health, education and aspirations. These are shocking statistics and underline the real need for us to act to stop the harm of bullying.
What Is Service Six Already Doing To Tackle Bullying In The County?
Service Six provides a range of Anti Bullying Conferences and workshops which are focused on raising awareness and harnessing the energy, enthusiasm and inspiration of children to tackle bullying. We know from our work in recent years that this is the most effective way of challenging bullying in any setting and community. Children are the key – with them on side the future of bullying is looking bleak.
Work is undertaken with children who are bullied including workshops and group work on self value, self esteem, confidence, assertiveness and challenging bullying appropriately and safely. We undertake similar workshops with children who are bullying or who are both bully and bullied, as well as anger management. Bullying is far from a simple issue it is the ultimate Pandora’s Box. However, the complexities and disparities cannot be used as a reason not to open up the debate and get to the heart of the problem. Children just want to be valued and safe in their homes, schools and communities.
We undertake a range of promotional work and have an anti bullying display designed by a young person which we use across schools, organizations and communities. We also undertake Peer Mentoring Training Programmes, whereby children are trained with support to provide support to other young people. These programmes have been hugely successful and we are expanding the activities in forthcoming months.
Service Six County Young People’s Task Groups
Service Six has been tackling Bullying at a local level for many years. However, since April 2007 we have been gathering feedback from our Young Person's Task Groups across the County. There are more than fifteen of these groups of young people who help to guide us in ensuring our agency and services are responsive and appropriate. All the Task Groups have identified Bullying as the top issue affecting their lives and the most important issue for us to challenge and change.
Service Six A.B.C. Launch
Based on the evidence, statistics and young people’s requests we planned Northamptonshire’s first Countywide Anti Bullying Campaign (abc) which was launched for Service Six on May 6th 2008 by Esther Rantzen CBE at the Guildhall in Northampton at an event hosted by young people from the County. The launch included a showcase of Anti-Bullying Drama performances, poetry, art and displays.
Through the first phase of the abc we hope to raise £150,000. The money will fund the establishment of phase two - hiring an abc Manager and a number of Apprentices aged 16-18 years of age to take the campaign out into the County and maximize the impact for children. The Apprentices will receive accredited training to enable them to develop the necessary skills to help and inform others. Once again it is through our relationships with children and young people in the County that has led to them saying that it should be young people who deliver the campaign and Service Six is responding.
Phase three will be the development of a Countywide Anti-Bullying Programme. The programme will concentrate on a range of awareness raising, support, information and research projects all identified through a young person led approach. This approach will act as a model of excellence for other organizations here and across the UK.
NEWS & EVENTS
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