United we stand for Anti-Bullying Week

The theme for Anti-Bullying Week 2020 is United Against Bullying.

If parenting superpowers were a thing, then banishing bullying would be among them.

It’s something we all hope we never have to deal with but sadly shows no signs of waning and no generation of youngsters is immune.

Anti-Bullying Week, which this year runs from November 16 to 20, offers an opportunity for schools and families to talk about the problem and try to tackle it together.

‘United Against Bullying’ is the theme of the week, which reaches across the UK.

“It’s clear that bullying remains a significant problem for many children across the country, and we know that these experiences can have a lasting impact well into adulthood,” said Martha Evans, director of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, which is behind the campaign.

“But this year we have witnessed the power that people can have when they unite to tackle a common challenge. If we are serious about reducing bullying, we have to harness that energy and work together. Be it online, in the community or in school, we all have a part to play and it's time we came together, friends and family, classmates and colleagues, and unite against bullying.”

The week begins with Odd Socks Day on Monday November 16, when in a salute to individuality, people are encouraged to wear odd socks to school or work to express themselves and celebrate what makes everyone unique.

For little people (although it is also highly recommended for grown-ups in need of a lockdown lift), the official video for Anti-Bullying Week 2020 is out now on YouTube and offers a rallying cry to the nation’s children to unite against bullying.

Recorded by CBeebies presenter Andy Day and his band, Andy and the Odd Socks, the cover of Sham 69’s The Kids Are United features Princess K and the Libera Choir with all proceeds going to the Anti-Bullying Alliance.