Be #UnitedAgainstBullying this Anti-Bullying Week
Schools, community groups and individuals in Wolverhampton are being encouraged to get involved during this year’s Anti-Bullying Week, which begins on Monday 16 November.
Organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, this year’s campaign has a theme of #UnitedAgainstBullying. The Alliance believes that, through shared efforts and shared ambitions, everybody can reduce bullying together.
The week will also offer the opportunity to recognise schools in the city which have achieved Anti-Bullying Charter Status.
Getting involved is easy. Across the week, there are a range of activities that people can take part in – either online or at school, work or home. These include:
As well as the national activities that are taking place, the City of Wolverhampton Council will be announcing which schools have been awarded Anti-Bullying Charter Status, as part of the Youth Engagement Strategy (#YES), on Friday 20 November. Those awarded with the status will be announced across the day on HeadStart Wolverhampton’s Twitter page, @HeadStartFM, and the #YES website.
We are pleased to announce that the following schools and youth organisations have been awarded #YES Anti-Bullying Charter Status:
Young people across Wolverhampton are being encouraged to take part in the annual Make Your Mark ballot, the largest UK youth consultation of its kind.
The month-long campaign, launched during UK Parliament Week (1-7 November), gives young people in Wolverhampton an opportunity to decide what they think are the most important issues facing the country in 2020.
The ballot, which includes issues such as the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, child poverty, mental health and hate crime, gives young people aged 11-18 the chance to select one issue they think is affecting the UK, and one issue they think is affecting their local community. These will then be debated by members of the UK Youth Parliament.
In 2019, over 10,000 young people in Wolverhampton took part in the vote. This year, for the first time, voting will take place entirely online due to the ongoing pandemic. To get involved, please visit ukparliamentweek.org/en/make-your-mark
Wolverhampton Youth MP Ruby Cochrane said: “Make Your Mark is a unique opportunity for young people up and down the country to have their voices heard.
“Now, more than ever, it's imperative that young people in Wolverhampton take the time to vote for the issues they feel passionately about. This year has been hard but by being pro-active we can make a difference, together.”
Fellow Wolverhampton Youth MP Tutsi Rukara added: “Being a Youth MP has given me the privilege to ensure that the views of young people are heard, and that decision makers take these into account.
“In times like these, our views are crucial to helping us recover from this pandemic and it is such an honour to represent young people in Wolverhampton and be a part of the Make Your Mark vote.”
Councillor John Reynolds, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “The Make Your Mark ballot is a great way for young people to contribute their views on the issues that affect their everyday lives.
“It’s more important than ever that we look out for our young people and, in these challenging times, we want to make it easier for them to get their voices heard.
“We used last year's results to help shape our Youth Engagement Strategy and are looking forward to seeing what issues young people in Wolverhampton would like us to focus on this time around.”
Lockdown is having a devastating effect on children and young people’s mental health. It’s been unbelievably hard, but together, we can make a difference and show young people they are not alone. Join thousands of schools, offices and community groups on Friday 9 October by taking part in #HelloYellow It’s simple: wear yellow and have fun! Whether we’re all two-metres apart, back to normal or locked-down and keeping it virtual the #HelloYellow kits are filled with ideas for a fun-filled day on 9 Oct!
All the resources to use on the day are available on youngminds.org.uk
We would like you to take as many pictures of you, your staff and young people wearing something yellow to share with us on Friday 9th October. Can you please send your pictures to sunita.pallan@wolverhampton.gov.uk
**If you are sending pictures of young people please can ensure you have consent to share these pictures with us on social media/websites from parents
The City of Wolverhampton Council, as part of its Youth Engagement Strategy (#YES), is launching its new ‘By Your Side’ campaign to mark this year’s World Mental Health Day.
Aimed at easing the impact of loneliness, the campaign has been developed to support people across the city and raise awareness of services that are available to combat isolation – in particular for younger people who may be feeling lonely.
If you are a child or young person who feels lonely – perhaps due to the coronavirus pandemic or you have experienced loneliness for a prolonged amount of time – you can get help and support from the following services:
City of Wolverhampton Council
This is a difficult and challenging time for children, young people and families. City of Wolverhampton Council have created a collection of resources to support children, young people and families to stay safe and well throughout lockdown.
Wolverhampton Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS)
The Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS) offers free and confidential advice to children and young people (0-25) who have or may have special educational needs and/or a disability. You can contact us in a number of ways:
You can join us online to answer questions at a special session for young people on 26th November. You don't have to appear on screen if you prefer not to.
Base 25
Counselling is a type of talking therapy that allows a person to talk about their problems and feelings in a confidential and dependable environment. A counsellor is trained to listen with empathy (by putting themselves in your shoes). They can help you deal with any negative thoughts and feelings you have. The counselling service delivered from Base 25 is free to access for Wolverhampton residents of all ages and referrals can be made using the referral form below.
We Offer 1-2-1sessions
Downloads:
Wolverhampton Participation Team
Calling all Young People Across the City… Are you aged 11 – 25? Do you want to do something fun and constructive in your spare time? Are you passionate about being a voice for Wolverhampton? Then why not join one of our Youth boards or Youth forums to have your say about how you want our City to be run.
Some of our Activities: Virtual Meetings Innovative Projects Training Fun Activities
Benefits to you: Gaining new skills, knowledge and experiences, Having Fun, being a voice of young people, Representing your school/youth group/college, Gaining accreditation, Training, Meeting other young people.
If you would like to join or be part of any these groups then please contact the Participation Team: Andrew.scragg@wolverhampton.gov.uk, Shaqille.Spence@wolverhampton.gov.uk or Alison.Baggs@wolverhampton.gov.uk for further information
The Way Youth Zone
A youth-led, state of the art space for young people aged 8-19 (up to 25 with a disability) located centrally in the vibrant and diverse city of Wolverhampton. Open 7 days a week, The Way provides a huge variety of activities for young people across The City to get involved in! Please see attached links to different activities The Way are putting on.
Downloads
Gazebo
See, Hear, Respond programme in partnership with Barnardo’s offers access to remotely delivered advice and guidance, signposting, counselling and other therapeutic and creative support. This is all totally free and support can be accessed via a telephone call or online referral from child, parent/carer or professional. To access this provision You can call 0800 157 7015 to make a referral from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and 10am – 6pm at weekends, or go to barnardos.org.uk/see-hear-respond to use our secure referral form.
Gazebo Mindful Support, which includes a helpline and email address for people to contact Gazebo for help, advice and guidance, including free digital support, mentoring, counselling and befriending. This is open to everybody in Wolverhampton. If you would like to access this support the phone number is 07393018271 and email address is mindfulsupport@gazebotheatre.com
For further information on the wellbeing programmes Gazebo are doing please follow us or contact us via:
