Being Me school resources aims to stop bulling once and for all

Five national charities have joined forces to launch a series of free school resources with the aim of stopping bullying.

Diversity Role Models, Kidscape, Carers Trust, Potential Plus UK and The National Autistic Society have created Being Me, to give children across the UK an insight into the life of their classmate, and a better understanding of what it is like to be them.

The charities have launched the resource ahead of Anti-bullying week which runs from 17-24 November.

They say thousands of children are bullied in schools across the country because their classmates see them as different.

“Being Me encourages empathy and allows exploration of difference,” Suran Dickson, chief executive of Diversity Role Models said.

"Our experience leads us to believe that young people bully to fit in or because they don't understand difference - we need honest conversations which encourage children to think critically about prejudice, and to remove the barriers between those who are perceived as different and their peers.

“Being Me helps children understand that all of us are different in some way and that empathy and kindness make schools and society more rewarding places to learn, grow and live."

The series was developed and produced for the charities by journalist Jenny Hulme.

She met with children and charity ambassadors to hear their stories and Being Me retells them via both a diary-style 'day in my life' and a fictional story that shares a powerful message.

The series is free to download by schools and professionals who work with children and young people.