Chance to Change 2041 WSR

Bullying and Bullies through the eyes of young people

“One day in history class I noticed my phone was missing, since I’m afraid of conflict I would hate to have to tell my mother. I started to have a panic attack and had to leave class to calm down/look for it (I found it). When I got back to class all the boys were pretending to hyperventilate and cry…

A few weeks later the boys were still doing it and I snapped and explained everything to them. They stopped after that and never did it again. I’ve had several panic attacks since then and instead of teasing they offer to explain to the teacher for me.”

by Alix (13)

Beat bullying Upset you shouldn’t be Lonely and lost in a cold world Live life without bullying You are not alone Isolation No one is perfect Getting bullied, get help

by Charlesy, 13 & Ellie, 14

Bullying observations Your discussions Students fighting Terror awakening Actions of deplore Never ignore Don’t hesitate End the hate Report bullying Save targets losing

by Frankie, 12

My life is a story with a twist But people judge and hate with no miss With unclear eyes, then use their fist Fiends are for life need kiss Keep what they say in heart to clear the mist

by Anon

What you allow, is what will continue

“I was bullied when I was younger and it would bring me down.

You have to find a way to funnel the feelings into something positive… Do something that is going to better yourself while you’re trying to get over the resentments. Hold ing on to them only makes you sick too” - Demi Lovato

ocked down, Sometimes you have to get kn , to stand lower than you have ever been were back up taller than you ever Don’t let your mind bully your body

You can’t fix yourself, by breaking someone else

“Hey, you won’t know who I am and I’d like to keep it that way. You don’t know me and probably never will but please learn from my story.

One day when talking with a friend, I mentioned a story when a man got arrested for making a racist joke. My friend, of course asked what the joke was. So I told him. I regret it so much. The popular boy, let’s call him “J” heard the joke but not the story, he yelled at me, calling me a racist “b***h” and because I had recently come out, a “lesbian s**g.”

I calmly explained the story but he didn’t believe me. He threatened me and yelled at me. I had a panic attack and ended up crying. So I was taken out of the lesson by a teacher I didn’t even know. It’s sad that people you don’t know care more about you than a teacher who is paid to keep you safe. The same thing went on for days, I’d yell and I’d cry and start taking my anger out on a boy I knew. After a week I realised I was bullying this boy.

I became the thing I was so scared of. I apologised and he said he hadn’t been affected, thankfully. But the bullying from “J” still hurt and I needed a release. So I took up art and it helped. I was inspired by a song and I took up the ukulele and it was great, but I started to want more and learned my favourite instrument, bass guitar, and now I am happier than ever.”

Moral : Try new things!

by Anon

You have to be at your strongest when you’re feeling at your weakest

“I got made fun of constantly in High School. That’s what built my character, that’s what makes you who you are, when you get made fun of, when people point out your weaknesses, that’s just another opportunity for you to rise above.”

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- Zac Efron

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this booklet, advice can be found at BULLYING.CO.UK KIDSCAPE.ORG BULLIESOUT.COM This project was created by a group of young people from Caerphilly Youth Forum who have all experienced bullying at some point in their lives. They wanted to produce a resource that shared some of their stories that ended positively, in order to champion up-standers and build resilience to give everyone a chance for the better. This booklet has been produced with the help of Fixers, the campaign that gives young people a voice. Fixers is part-funded by the National Lottery, through the Big Lottery Fund. Company 2194957. Charity 298643 Š 2018