It’s time to ‘Choose Respect’ this Anti-Bullying Week.

• The campaign will include Odd Socks Day supported by CBBC and CBeebies star Andy Day and his band Andy and the Odd Socks on Tuesday 12th November. 

• Anti-Bullying Week is coordinated in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the Anti-Bullying Alliance and is expected to reach over three-quarters of schools, over 7.5 million children, and many celebrities and influencers. 

From playgrounds to parliament and our phones to our homes, this Anti-Bullying Week the Anti-Bullying Alliance is calling on everyone to 'Choose Respect'.  

During the week – running from 11th to 15th November 2024 – children and young people will start a national conversation about how to handle disagreements and differences of opinion without resorting to bullying. The idea is to support each other to champion kindness, because being kind is not a sign of weakness but a mark of strength. 

Anti-Bullying Week will empower children and young people to solve problems with empathy and remind adults of their vital role in leading by example, both in person and online, choosing respect even when we disagree. 

The Alliance is producing a series of teaching resources, films, conversation starters and parent tools to support the promotion of respect taking place in Anti-Bullying Week – with a staggering three-quarters of the nation’s schools expected to take part. 

Children and young people can also nominate teachers and school staff for a special award, sponsored by Radnor Fam, which recognises how they have gone beyond the call of duty to prevent and respond to bullying and to raise awareness of the importance of respect in school communities. 

CBBC and CBeebies star Andy Day, and his band Andy and the Odd Socks, will be using their toe-tapping release ‘Choose Respect’ with resources for schools to get everyone talking on Odd Socks Day (taking place on 12th November). There’s a serious message behind the fun: let’s pull on odd socks to show we’re ALL unique and different, and let’s be kind to each other and respect each other’s individuality. 

We will be launching an exciting Odd Socks Day competition soon where schools will be able to enter their own creative versions of the song. 

Will you join us? Find out more at: anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk and get involved via #ANTIBULLYINGWEEK on X, Instagram and TikTok. 

For more details about Anti-Bullying Week visit the Anti-Bullying Alliance's website

ENDS

Notes to editors 

For further information, please contact the National Children’s Bureau media office: [email protected] / 07721 097 033. 

For urgent enquiries out of office-hours call: 07721 097 033. 

About Anti-Bullying Week 

Anti-Bullying Week is organised by:  

• The Anti-Bullying Alliance in England, Northern Ireland and Wales  

• respectme, Scotland’s anti-bullying agency 

Watch the campaign film here: https://youtu.be/sZ_CkltlgS4  

About the Anti-Bullying Alliance 

Anti-Bullying Week is coordinated in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland by the Anti-Bullying Alliance. We are a unique coalition of organisations and individuals, working together to achieve our vision to stop bullying and create safer environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play, and learn. We are part of the National Children’s Bureau. We are united against bullying. 

For more information visit: www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk 

About the National Children’s Bureau 

For over 60 years, the National Children’s Bureau has worked to champion the rights of children and young people in the UK. We interrogate policy and uncover evidence to shape future legislation and develop more effective ways of supporting children and families. As a leading children’s charity, we take the voices of children to the heart of Government, bringing people and organisations together to drive change in society and deliver a better childhood for the UK. We are united for a better childhood. 

For more information visit  www.ncb.org.uk