15/11/2021

Anti-Bullying Week 2021: One Kind Word

Each year the Anti-Bullying Alliance co ordinates a week dedicated to tackling bullying in the UK. This years theme is One Kind Word and once again, Barracudas is fully behind the message. 

Running from the 15th - 19th November, the focus on kindness couldn't be more appropriate after the isolation that children have experienced during the recent lockdowns.

Thankfully, we're now living a more 'normal' life and we're back to a more social existence. However, we've all been impacted by events and children, arguably, more than others.

In their shorter life experience, the time not being able to share contact with friends and extended family or joining in group and sports events, is potentially more significant for children. 

Get on board

Last year over 80% of UK schools got involved in the week. This reached 7.5 million children and young people, helping to spread the message of being 'United Against Bullying'. With over 50,000 downloads of schools resources, there were lots of cross curricular ideas circulated in the UK.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance has listened to children and teachers who overwhelming said they wanted anti-bullying to be about hope and the positive kind things we can do to stop hurtful behaviour.

Anti-Bullying Week call to action

• Ask if someone’s OK. Say you’re sorry. Just say hey.
• In a world that can sometimes feel like it’s filled with negativity, one kind word can provide a moment of hope. It can be a turning point. It can change someone’s perspective. It can change their day. It can change the course of a conversation and break the cycle of bullying.
• Best of all, one kind word leads to another. Kindness fuels kindness. So from the playground to Parliament, and from our phones to our homes, together, our actions can fire a chain reaction that powers positivity.
• It starts with one kind word. It starts today.

Stats

Research from the Anti-Bullying Alliance found that:

• 30% of children have been bullied in the last year
• 17% have been bullied online
• Approximately 1 child in every classroom experiences bullying

The results of bullying can be long term. Adults who experienced bullying as children can experience a range of mental health issues, earn less money, be unemployed, be obese, not be in a stable relationship or leave school with no qualifications.  

One kind word

Kindness can have hugely positive effects on us all. Experiencing a moment of kindness can mean a lot. It can change our day, lift our spirits, make us feel more positive about ourselves and the world around us. It can also break the cycle of bullying. As the Anti-Bullying Alliance has identified, one kind word can lead to another.

Spreading kindness in school and at home is key to breaking the cycle of bullying and reduces the impact on our young people who are affected.

We take bullying very seriously at Barracudas. We always take action at the earliest possible stage if any level of this behaviour seems to be developing during our camp sessions. We fully support the ‘One Kind Word’ campaign and actively promote these themes at our camps.

Visit Anti-Bullying Week: One Kind Word to get more information and resources.