We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our current Advisory Group and Chair for their unwavering support over the past three years. Their dedication has been instrumental in shaping our efforts to unite against bullying. Though their term has ended, their impact will resonate for years to come.
The ABA Advisory Group between 2021-2024 consisted of of representatives from: BulliesOut (Co-Chair for the Wales Steering Group), Childnet International / Safer Internet Centre, Ditch the Label, National Children's Bureau, Kidscape, London Borough of Wandsworth, NSPCC, NASUWT, Nottingham Trent University, Royal Mencap Society, Red Balloon & Stranmillis University College (Co-Chair for the NI Working Group), with Claude Knights sitting as our Chair.
Here are some of the successes of our Advisory Group:
- Membership Growth: Under their stewardship we have seen a 74% increase in ABA's membership from April 2021- 2024!
- School and College Membership: They introduced our new School and College Membership which has given our membership more clarity and a new lease of life!
- Terms of Reference: They improved our membership processes and Terms of Reference
- Policy Influencing: They made our policy recommendations much clearer, more focused and actionable which has really increased their reach and influence. They also helped to launch our current Contact Your MP campaign, alongside helping us to write numerous consultation responses.
- Resources: With their help we introduced new resources, training and other events for members!
- Wales and Northern Ireland: With their support we grew our work in Wales and Northern Ireland. This includes developing our Wales and Northern Ireland Steering Groups.
- Anti-Bullying Week: They steered and guided the development of three Anti-Bullying Weeks, including agreeing media press releases and the focus of the weeks. Thanks to them we have had a more collegiate approach to our messaging for Anti-Bullying Week!
- 20th Birthday Celebrations: We celebrated our 20th birthday with them!
"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Advisory Group members, whose tireless dedication, invaluable insights and unwavering support over the last three years has significantly advanced our mission to unite against childhood bullying. Together, we've witnessed remarkable growth in our membership and forged a shared approach to Anti-Bullying Week, reaching more communities and children than ever before. A special thank you to Claude Knights, our esteemed Chair, for her exceptional leadership over the past six years. We wish her every success in her future endeavours. As we embark on the next chapter, we are thrilled to announce ongoing elections for a new Chair and Advisory Group that will build on the successes and learning of our current group."
Martha Evans
Director of the Anti-Bullying Alliance
Celebrating Claude Knights (Chair of ABA):
Claude is stepping down after 6 wonderful years as Chair of ABA.
She has been instrumental in the anti-bullying sector and will be greatly missed as our Chair – though we are delighted that she plans to stay involved with the work of the Alliance as a member.
All of the aforementioned successes of the Advisory Group are thanks to her great chairing and tireless passion for improving the lives of young people. Below is a video celebrating the last 6 years:
"I have chaired the ABA’s Advisory Group for two terms, so six years! It is difficult to believe that so much time has elapsed! I have felt so honoured and privileged to be elected to this post, as it has enabled me to continue my great commitment to challenging bullying in all its forms. The opportunity to work with talented, dedicated and very knowledgeable colleagues in a collegiate and supportive climate has been one of the highlights of my professional life. The ABA Team and the Advisory Group have achieved much collectively, particularly in the past three years. Successes include the significant increase in ABA Membership numbers, focused Policy Recommendations, Growth into Wales and Northern Ireland and Anti-Bullying Weeks that have surpassed expectations in terms of reach and profile year on year. The hugely hardworking ABA Team achieves the task of keeping the prevention and challenging of bullying at the top of the agenda to safeguard young people and support the children’s workforce. Members of the ABA’s Advisory Group strive to contribute to the ABA staff team’s tireless work. I am proud of what we have all achieved during my tenure as Chair of ABA, but I am now handing the baton to the individual who will have the good fortune to be elected as the next chair of ABA. I have no doubt that the Anti-Bullying Alliance will continue to go from strength to strength by achieving its mission and objectives informed by the voices of young people. I will miss my role hugely, but I plan to contribute to the work of the ABA as a lifetime member."
Claude Knights
Chair of ABA
We are currently in the process of electing our new Advisory Group and Chair. Please watch this space!