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• Change their behaviour, e.g. become aggressive, withdrawn, anxious, etc.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.