Anti-Bullying Week 2022 took place from 14 to 18 November 2022 and had the theme Reach Out. The week kicked off with Odd Socks Day on Monday 14th November, where adults and children wore odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique.

Anti-Bullying Week 2022: Reach Out Banner
The theme of Reach Out came about following consultation with teachers and pupils by the Anti-Bullying Alliance which coordinates Anti-Bullying Week every year in England and Wales. Teachers and children wanted a theme that empowered them to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes.
Following the success of the campaign in 2021 – when 80% of schools marked the week, reaching over 7.5 million children and young people – Anti-Bullying Week 2022 reminded everyone whether it’s in school, at home, in the community or online, to reach out and show each other the support we need.
Our call to action:
Bullying affects millions of lives and can leave us feeling hopeless. But it doesn’t have to be this way. If we challenge it, we can change it. And it starts by reaching out.
Whether it’s in school, at home, in the community or online, let’s reach out and show each other the support we need. Reach out to someone you trust if you need to talk. Reach out to someone you know is being bullied. Reach out and consider a new approach.
And it doesn’t stop with young people. From teachers to parents and influencers to politicians, we all have a responsibility to help each other reach out. Together, let’s be the change we want to see. Reflect on our own behaviour, set positive examples and create kinder communities.
It takes courage, but it can change lives. So, this Anti-Bullying Week, let’s come together and reach out to stop bullying.
How could you reach out for Anti-Bullying Week 2022?
As usual, schools were able to download free teaching resources and themed assemblies. These focused on the activities we can all take, to reach out and stop bullying.
Anti-Bullying Alliance patron, CBBC and CBeebies star Andy Day led celebrity support for the campaign, with his band Andy and the Odd Socks. The band released a toe-tapping song to mark Odd Socks Day on the first day of Anti-Bullying Week. There was 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.
For older children, the buzz on social media was an important part of Anti-Bullying Week, and a great opportunity for schools to share how they’ve embraced the anti-bullying message. It was easy to get involved via #AntiBullyingWeek and #ReachOut on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter.
We worked with BBC Teach on a Live Lesson, Radnor Fam on our School Staff Award in England and BulliesOut on our School Staff Award in Wales.
We worked with Unique Voice on two new films:
Secondary school film available in Welsh here
Andy and the Odd Socks released a new song for Odd Socks Day:
Finally, we held a practice sharing event with United Against Bullying Gold schools: