How To Help A Bullying Charity

Bullying is something that can affect people of all ages, whether it's at home, in school, over the internet or at work. It can be a devastating thing to go through, and have long-lasting consequences over many years.  

WHY VOLUNTEER WITH A BULLYING CHARITY?

It's estimated that more than half of children in England and Wales are bullied over their appearance - in particular weight and body shape. With the rise of cyberbullying, there are more ways than ever to exclude, threaten and embarrass people.  

Given the devastating impact this can have on someone's mental health, it's something we finally need to address and tackle. With so many people affected, you could find yourself making a real difference to lots of lives when you volunteer with a bullying charity. You may even pick up some new skills you can carry forward into a new job or career path.  

HOW TO HELP BULLYING CHARITIES

Become A Support Mentor 

There are some great children's charities out there who help young people deal with issues like bullying. Children North East is one of those, and it needs volunteers for both family support and one-on-one youth support. Whether you're helping a whole family or building up a relationship with a young person to help them realise their full potential, you're likely to find a role like this really rewarding.  

Help Children In Schools 

Charities like Place2Be offer mental health support to children in schools across the UK, allowing them to reach tens of thousands of youngsters that have been affected by things like bullying and domestic violence, as well as family breakdown and bereavement. Whether you already have or would like to learn counselling skills, or you prefer to get involved with something like research or administration, your time could go a long way.  

Volunteer With A Helpline 

Some of the UK's leading children's charities have helplines that offer advice on things like bullying. Volunteering with one of these is a great way to provide initial support, as you're likely to be the first point of contact. You may also be able to help with online support, thanks to advances in technology and changes in the way youngsters prefer to communicate.  

Use Your Musical Talents

Charities such as Youth Music look to connect with young people who may have been bullied - through the power of song. If you have skills in music production or putting on gigs, you could get involved with an organisation like this to help transform the lives of the people they support.  

Be Aware Of Your Own Children 

Signs of bullying include things like not wanting to go to school, anxiousness, a loss of confidence and changes in academic performance. There may even be physical signs too, such as bruises or unexplained injuries. It's important to listen to a child if they're being bullied, and choose the right path forward. This includes what the child would prefer to happen, as well as taking child protection advice.  

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HELP 

• As you'll receive training before taking on a role like volunteering with a helpline, some charities will request a minimum time commitment so they don't waste resources.  
• Any volunteering role that involves direct contact with children will mean you'll need to go through the appropriate background checks.  

HELPING DESERVING CAUSES

If you'd like to know more about getting involved in volunteering in your community, take a look at our Local Causes page and find opportunities near you.