Party, Party, Party!

So yeah Saturday night was really good we raised over £480 pounds at the Fundraising Disco for Bully Free Zone. We had everything from face painting and raffles to the good old karaoke sing-song, some great things happened like when Jenneh won the mystery envelope prize. Inside were v.i.p tickets for two to Bolton Little Theatre to see a production of her choice. I suspect she will take her boyfriend.

Also, I helped raise over £100 that night selling the tickets for the mystery envelope. The dance off between Kev and Jenneh was legendary, so funny. One of the young people, Colette, whose family organised the event said, “it was fun and exciting i enjoyed singing on the karaoke“.

A big thank you to everyone who came and got involved, especially the volunteers and Colette’s grandma, Jean.

Written by Tom.

One great reason for helping Children in Need

FUN and frolics today will bring in millions of pounds for Children in Need — which will then be distributed up and down the country to causes which make a real difference to people’s lives.

One of those to have benefited from Children in Need funding is Boltonbased Bully Free Zone, which has helped hundreds of children and families — and even saved lives.

In the past six years the charity, based in Chorley New Road, has received around £30,000 a year from Children in Need.

Without the grant and other similar sources of funding, the charity would not be able to continue its work in helping victims of bullying.

Since establishing itself 14 years ago, the charity has become an integral part of services available to children and families in Bolton.

Project co-ordinator Kev Walsh said: “This funding is absolutely vital to the Family Support Project we have. Bully Free Zone depends solely on grant funding. We do not get funding from the council or other agencies, although we have referrals from the local authority, the health service and schools.”

He added: “Bully Free Zone has saved lives. We have had young people who have expressed committing suicide or harming themselves. They are now confident and happy and living their lives.”

Many of the young people who have been helped by the charity are now volunteers with Bully Free Zone.
The charity also works with perpetrators of bullying, helping them to deal with issues such as anger management and peer pressure. It also helps set up prevention schemes in schools.

Unfortunately, the Children in Need funding will run out in April and the charity will have to look for other sources of funding to carrying on its work.

Mr Walsh said the charity needed the help of the community and appealed to businesses to lend their expertise as well as local people.

Children in Need mascot Pudsey Bear kickstarted the marathon fundraising effort in Bolton today. The bear will be taken to primary schools to collect money raised by children who wore yellow for the day and took part in “baking a bear”.

He made a surprise visit to The Oaks in Sharples yesterday and today he will revisit the school, along with Sharples Primary and Gaskell Street Primary to collect the money.

Also getting in on the act today will be St Paul’s CE Primary in Astley Bridge, which is organising a St Paul’s has got Talent event for staff and pupils.

Chris Baldwin, community colleague at Asda, said: “We get behind Children in Need every year and this year hope to raise more money than ever before.

“Children are paying a £1 to wear yellow and have been given plastic cutters to make Pudsey to sell to family and friends.”

● Anybody who can help Bully Free Zone by holding fundraising events — or businesses which can help — can contact the charity on 01204 454 958.

(From The Bolton News)

Reduce Bullying? Teach Human Rights.

 

Unicef project in hundreds of UK schools helps to foster calmer classrooms and a reduction in bullying and truancy.

Teaching children about their human rights can reduce bullying and exclusions, improve relations with teachers and create a calmer atmosphere for learning, according to an academic study published today.

A Unicef UK project running in more than 1,000 schools across Britain teaches pupils about their rights and responsibilities, and encourages them to draw up charters for classroom behaviour.

The first evaluation of the project since its launch in 2004 has found that its introduction was accompanied by a fall in truancy and an improvement in results at schools with a high proportion of children on free school meals.

The evidence is highlighted in a three-year study of the Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA), undertaken by researchers at the universities of Sussex and Brighton.

In a study of 31 schools, researchers found that there was "little or no shouting" and that conflicts between pupils escalated far less frequently than they had done before the schools adopted the new approach. Fixed-term exclusions decreased in 13 schools, stabilised in three, and five reported no exclusions, the study says.

Pupils increasingly took part in making decisions, ranging from debates about the state of the playground to discussions on staff appointments. In some schools, pupils showed candidates for teaching jobs around the school and identified questions they wanted to ask.

Pupils also gave feedback after candidates for teaching jobs gave sample lessons.

Anita Tiessen, deputy executive director of Unicef UK, said: "It is wrong that all children in the UK don't learn about their rights. Today's evaluation report shows what a profound effect it can have not only on children, but teachers, school leaders, governors and parents."

Meanwhile, research published today by the educational charity the Sutton Trust finds that poor children are twice as likely to start school with behaviour problems, compared with their more privileged peers. More than a third (35%) of the poorest three-year-old boys displayed behaviour problems, compared with one in six (15%) of those living in richer households, the study says.

The research, by Elizabeth Washbrook of Bristol University, asked parents to rate their child's behaviour in terms of hyperactivity and inattention, problems with conduct, emotional symptoms, and peer-related problems.

By the age of seven, 22% of the poorest boys still suffered from behaviour problems, compared towith 10% of those from richer homes.

Amongst girls, the rates were lower, but nearly a third of the poorest girls exhibited symptoms of behaviour problems at the age of three, which dropped to a fifth at age seven.

The research suggests that the gap in behaviour between poorer and wealthier children has widened over the last 10 years. Girls from low-income families who were born in the early 1990s were twice as likely to display behavioural problems than their peers at age seven. Those born around the millennium were three-and-a-half times as likely to show such symptoms.

Behaviour problems are more common among children from disadvantaged backgrounds, the study says, and the differences between rich and poor are starkest at the age of three, before children begin school.

Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the education charity Sutton Trust, said: "This study builds on earlier evidence from the trust showing that children from poorer homes are already one year behind their middle-income peers on cognitive tests when they start school.

"We now know that disadvantaged children are also much more likely to have difficult and challenging behaviour. It is no wonder that the gaps in achievement grow during primary school.

"More than anything, the research shows once again why it is so important to intervene pre-school to stem problems before they develop."

Taken from Guardian.co.uk

"It's not a sign of weakness" - Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle has revealed that she considered suicide after she became a victim of bullies as a teenager.

The Scots singer admitted that she had suffered from psychological bullying and seeked professional help to overcome her ordeal.

She told the News of the World: "When I was 17 I did think about doing something nasty. It was all psychological. I was damaged.

"I had to get help from a professional. I also had to see a doctor who gave me treatment."

She added: "You mustn't be afraid to do that. It's not a sign of weakness.

"It gave me the confidence to fight back, knock on people's doors, audition and finally get what I wanted.

"In my case it was a small group of teenage girls that put me to that place. They're the worst kind. It can really hold you back and damage you. Mental bullying is the worst kind of bullying."

The Britain's Got Talent star added that she "will not let fame" change her and added that it is "nicer to stay grounded".

This article has been taken from www.stv.tv.

Thank You Everyone!

We’d like to say a huge thank you for all of the donations made over the last 12 months.

A particular thanks to all of the young people, volunteers and friends of Bully Free Zone who have helped raise money during the numerous bag packing and supermarket collection events we've held. Collectively we've raised over £2000 at Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsburys stores around Bolton.

Thanks also to Sunninghill School for generously donating proceeds from their school fair and allowing us to hold a stall there on the day, raising over £300 in total.

Thank you to The Gates school, Rivington & Blackrod High School, Watergate Toll Toby Carvery, Nat West and Brian Iddon (ex-MP of Bolton) for making donations or holding fundraising events in order to raise money for us.

Thanks to all of the many people who have sponsored our young people and volunteers during our annual sponsored walk event and to everyone who has donated through our Virgin Money Giving page. Especially to Gary Neville for providing us with signed Manchester United football shirts which helped in raising money.

A massive thank you to all of the people of Bolton and beyond who donated money during all of these events.

Fighting Back

Has anyone ever told you to fight back if you're being bullied? If someone hits you, hit them back? It seems a common piece of advice that parents, grandparents and siblings alike pass on to their relatives when they're being picked on. But is it the right thing to do?

Bully Free Zone says no.

Here's an example of only one of the reasons why fighting back is not the answer.

Girl suspended after reacting to "bullying"


AN ANGRY dad who claims his daughter has been the victim of cruel school bullies has slammed council chiefs after she was suspended from lessons for “fighting back”.


Roy Graham insists his 12-year-old girl Samantha has suffered bullying since she was a pupil at Heriot Primary, in Paisley, and the problems have continued after she moved on to Gleniffer High after the summer break.


He was horrified when Samantha was handed a two-day suspension by Gleniffer High staff for fighting with another pupil.


Mr Graham claims that his daughter was merely defending herself and he is now locked in a war of words with the school in a bid to have the punishment quashed.


He took Samantha along to Gleniffer High yesterday morning – the first day of the ban – but was refused entry by school staff.


Mr Graham said: “They are treating my daughter as the aggressor and that’s not on.
“In my eyes, she has done nothing wrong, so why are they denying her a right to education?”


The Paisley man claims Samantha was targeted by a bully last week.


He said that, when the school bell rang, Samantha made her way to the top of a staircase and was pushed from behind.


Mr Graham then alleges that a bully caught up with his daughter at the foot of the stairs and started to thump her.


But, when Samantha “defended herself”, it was the other girl who ended up on the floor.


The incident was brought to the attention of school staff and Samantha, along with the other pupil, was suspended.


Mr Graham, of Foxbar Road, said: “Kids can only take so much. It was only after many bullying incidents that Samantha hit back.


“She is not a troublemaker and never received so much as a punishment exercise in seven years of primary school.


“I’m told that the other girl involved in this incident had just returned to school after serving another suspension for thumping someone else.”


After being refused entry to Gleniffer High yesterday, Mr Graham and Samantha visited the education department at Renfrewshire Council.


He said: “I told them about the situation and they promised to investigate but I don’t hold out much hope for a successful outcome.”


However, a spokesman for Renfrewshire Council defended the decision to hand Samantha a suspension.


He said: “The council has a strong anti-bullying policy which is operated by all our schools. We fully investigate all allegations of bullying.


“Statements were taken from pupils who witnessed the incident and they gave a consistent account of what had happened.


“In the light of these statements and after considering the full background to the case, the school has taken appropriate action.”

Taken from http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk

Fighting back can cause you and/or someone else to get hurt, like Samantha you may end up in serious trouble and if you're being bullied, the last thing I imagine you would want is to be labelled the bully.

The most important thing you can do if you're being bullied is to TELL SOMEONE!

'David V Goliath' opera receives anti-Bullying award

A rock musical performed by children in West Oxfordshire has received national recognition.

'David V Goliath' has been given the The Diana Anti-Bullying Award, presented by author Philip Pullman.

The play was originally performed for four sold out nights at the Witney Corn Exchange by pupils of The Witchwood School of Rock.

Writer Lee Wyatt-Buchan believed it was the play's strong message that led to its rave reviews.

"The idea was to write a musical that had a point," he told BBC Oxford.

"My real motivation was to write a musical for schools and I thought a good idea would be to focus it on bullying."

Robin Martin-Oliver directed the show which included a cast of 20, with performers aged between ten and 17 years, with one adult performer.

Schools nationwide will now have access to the script and score of 'David V Goliath', as per the writer's original vision.

"We still want to work with schools and have school packs available to use as a tool to talk about how to deal with bullying. It's so important, it's so difficult to deal with and this is a fun way.

"Obviously it's rock music so it's current and from what we've seen with our young cast - who were fantastic - they really responded well with the script and the music and the message."

The Anti-Bullying Alliance came to view the show in April and subsequently put it forward for the award.

"A month later through the post we had the letter saying we'd won the national anti-bullying award from the Diana charity so we were really stoked."

Lee Wyatt-Buchan has since signed a contract with producers in London to bring the musical to a wider audience.

A UK tour will take place next Autumn, with a London run in early 2012. The show will be featuring a professional cast but the emphasis will be on casting new talent.

"We as a creative team are so proud of the guys to get this far," said Lee Wyatt-Buchan.

"To win this award is fantastic."

(article taken from the BBC News)

Coming Out of the other side of bullying

Young people are bullied for a variety of different reasons; it might be because someone is overweight, can't afford to buy the same clothes as everyone else in their school or doesn't have the right hairstyle. But some people are bullied for reasons that are part of who they are and are impossible to control - their name, the colour of their skin, even their sexuality.

A young person who is bullied because of their sexuality is 12% more likely to be absent from school due to bullying and more likely to drop out of education (NUT/Schools Out research). This video was created by Stonewall about a youth volunteer who, after being bullied in school, has used her experiences to run a campaign in Dorset.

Top Tips To Dealing With Bullying

The academic year has begun and children throughout the country are returning to school; starting new classes, spending time with old friends and for some, going back to a place where bullying happens every day. Bullying happens in school and the home (e.g. cyberbullying). It happens in the open and behind closed doors. It happens in groups and with individuals. No two incidents are identical.

But what is bullying?

Bullying is any action that has the intention to cause physical or emotional harm and happens regularly. It hurts, frightens and upsets people, and it doesn’t have to go on for a long time to do this.

Incidents of bullying can include:

• Kicking
• Name Calling
• Making Threats
• Spreading rumours
• Taking people’s things
• Leaving People Out
• Hitting
• Racism
• Nasty text messages

What are the signs of bullying?

Someone who is being bullied might:

• Not want to go to school.
• Begin truanting.
• Often feel ill.
• Suddenly become ill when it’s time for school.
• Be frightened to walk to and from school.
• Begin to lose interest in their schoolwork.
• 'Lose' possessions at school.
• Stop communicating with their parents (particularly after school).
• Change their behaviour, e.g. become aggressive, withdrawn, anxious, etc.
• Lose their appetite.
• Have regular nightmares and/or begin bed-wetting.
• Ask for money or begin to steal money.
• Bully younger brothers/sisters.
• Attempt suicide.

What to do if you are being bullied?

If you're being bullied follow this simple guide:

• Tell someone!!!
• We understand that you might be scared but sharing the problem gives you someone to talk to and someone to help you to sort it out.
• Remember: Telling someone that you are being bullied is NOT telling tales.
• Write down what is happening to you and how you feel about it in a diary.
• If you are scared, ask your parents to talk to your teacher.
• Tell your friends so that they can support you.
• DON’T fight back – you will only end up in trouble.
• DON’T blame yourself - remember no-one deserves to be bullied.

For more information about how to deal with bullying (including more detailed information about cyberbulying and homophobic bullying) visit our website: http://bullyfreezone.co.uk

v are on the hunt for amazing volunteers aged 16-25, who might be in with a chance of getting a vinspired National Award. They really need people like YOU to spread the word about the National Awards, get people nominating, and get volunteers recognised all around England.

Anyone can nominate young volunteers, you don't have to be 16-25 to put someone up for an award!

Head over to http://vinspired.com/rewards/nationalawards to nominate online and get all the info you need on the categories and the nomination process.

Nominations close on 30th September, so get nominating now!

Save A Smile Campaign!

On Monday 10th May, Bully Free Zone launched a new awareness and fund-raising campaign with the help of long-serving Manchester United defender Gary Neville.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of bullying and how young people who are victims of bullying often have nothing to smile about. The charity calls for people to share the things that make them smile via the Save a Smile website as well as look at ways they can raise much needed funding for the charity.

To find out more visit http://www.saveasmile.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/BFZSmile

Like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001049611555&ref=profile&v=info#!/pages/Save-A-Smile/117052411662902?ref=ts

Live UnLtd Funding Scheme!

Last week a new exciting funding scheme was launched for young people....

Live UnLtd aims to show that young people are the solutions to the problems faced in their communities through empowering them to run their own community projects. We currently have funding available for young people between 16-18yr olds [11-18yr olds from Aug2010 onwards] to apply for awards of up to £2000 for projects that have a positive social impact on their community. In every application we look for achievability of the project; the motivation of the individual and how much social impact the idea will have on the community. Please note that anyone applying who is under 17yrs old will need an advisor to help them to run their project.

Each month, the Youth Leadership Team living across the north (aged 16-25), will decide which youth lead projects will be funded and how much money will be awarded per project. The basic criteria for an award is:

∙ Must be 16 – 18 years old [11-18yr olds from Aug2010 onwards]

∙ Must be living in England

∙ Must be applying as an individual or an informal group for a new project idea

∙ Must have a positive social impact on the community

Applications are accepted all year round and applicants will be notified with the final decision from the youth leadership team within 4 weeks.

The next deadline for applications is Wednesday 12^th May and for your information the next one will be in June.

For further information please contact me directly on 07540413911 or visit the website on www.liveunltd.com

Volunteers Facebook Page

A member on Facebook? Why not join the Bully Free Zone Volunteers Facebook page.

We will keep the page up to date with volunteer information - events, activities and discussions.

If you're interesting in helping to keep the BFZ Volunteer Facebook page up to date, then join the group and let us know!

It's now become even easier to raise money for Bully Free Zone with our new Virgin Money Giving page.

Virgin Money Giving is a new website run by Virgin Money that makes fundraising easier then it has ever been. You can set up a sponsorship page in minutes and link it to your Facebook page so all your friends can support you, no matter where in the world they are, with just a couple of clicks. You can update the page regularly with your own content, links and photos all the while knowing that the money you are raising is helping to support a worthwhile charity. Virgin Money Giving will even sort out boring things like Gift Aid for you so you don't have to.

Why not give it a go today. Think of something you can do to raise some cash for BFZ. From sponsored walks or a sponsored swim, to a sponsored Halo 3 marathon or sponsored sit. Use your imagination, maybe get a few friends together and do something as a group. If you need any help, ideas or anything else then let Bully Free Zone know.

Good luck and make sure you keep us updated.

Reach Your Potential With v20

  

Recruiting Now: v20 Season 5

We are seeking Enthusiastic, Motivated and committed young people!! – No Experience Necessary.

Since we launched in May 2006 v has achieved great things – making a massive and lasting difference to the world of youth volunteering. Our v20 Youth Advisory Board members can take us even further. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a difference, and build the kind of experience you won’t find anywhere else. As part of v20, young people can be at the heart of the organisation, making sure we remain relevant and responsive to young people’s needs. Last year’s v20 hosted our National Conference, rubbed shoulders with the stars at the vinspired National Awards and had loads of fun during residential weekends.

v20 influence the work of v and ensure that it remains focused on young people.  v20 advise v and help v to meet its goals to:

• Increase the numbers of young people volunteering
• Improving volunteering opportunities for young people
• Increase the diversity of young volunteers.
• Act as a youth volunteering ambassador

Volunteering with v20 brings huge opportunities for both personal and organisational development.  It requires time, dedication, energy, creativity and a good sense of humour!  Previous seasons have worked with all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds so flexibility and tolerance is much in demand.  v20 bring all of these qualities and more to v. 

In return for volunteering with v we’ll make every effort to harness young people’s talent for the benefit of youth volunteering.  We do everything we can to make the v20 experience both challenging and fun.  Through volunteering to be part of v20 young people can make a genuine difference, gain lifelong friends, not to mention make history.

The Application form and Guidance Notes are available to be downloaded from our website at http://vinspired.com/v20/pages/v20-recruiting-now

In order to be considered for a position on the v20 Youth Advisory Board, applicants must be:

• Aged 16 – 24 yrs (when you apply)
• Resident in England

To make the most of the opportunity, they should be willing to

• Volunteer for 1 year (April 2010-April 2011): this will be split up with 8 weekend residentials, plus minimum of 10 hours per month extra (either online or face to face).
• Able to represent their own views, not those of an organisation, group or other project.
• Willing to travel to locations across England (with v organising and paying for travel)

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Wednesday 17th February

If you are aware of any young people who may be interested in joining the v20 Youth Advisory Board, please forward link to the application form which is downloadable from our website. If you have any questions about the form, contact Gary Brunskill at gary.brunskill@vinspired.com

Completed forms must be posted / emailed to WJP Floyd Ltd (the nice people sorting out the recruitment): At one of these addresses:

Postal address: 

  

WJP Floyd Ltd
1 Gunpowder Square,
Fleet Street,
London, EC4A 3EP

  

Email address:  v@wjpfloyd.co.uk

More information about the v20 season 5 Opportunity is on our website. At http://vinspired.com/v20/pages/v20-recruiting-now

Kind regards

The vinspired Team