This November, the Streetwise team took the lead in delivering anti-bullying workshops as part of Anti-Bullying Week, which ran from Monday 11th to Friday 15th, reaching 5,000 pupils across 17 primary schools in London.
The theme for this year’s campaign, Choose Respect, was set by the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), the organisers of this nationwide initiative. The theme aimed to empower young people to take positive action against the impact of bullying. In alignment with this, Streetwise workshops encouraged students to explore the difference between respectful and disrespectful behaviours, considering their impact in the classroom, playground, and beyond.
Recent research from the ABA reveals that 55% of children and young people have experienced social bullying, while 73% have witnessed it. These findings highlight the wider involvement in bullying incidents and the significant influence of culture and environment in normalising such behaviours. Streetwise’s programme addressed this directly, challenging students to reflect on their roles in bullying situations—whether as active participants, bystanders, or even through seemingly small actions like laughing or whispering.
Anti-Bullying Week traditionally kicks off with Odd Socks Day, celebrating individuality and what makes us unique. This year, over 5 million children, thousands of parents, and hundreds of workplaces participated, including the Maccabi GB office. Staff joined in by wearing odd socks, while the Streetwise team organised mindful colouring activities during lunch.
This year’s campaign also connected with the broader theme of Workplace Mental Health, highlighted during World Mental Health Day in October. Anti-Bullying Week offered the Streetwise team a valuable opportunity to spotlight this issue and promote the importance of creating supportive environments at every level.
Comments