Poster bid to banish the bullies

Apr 15 2009 by Ben Turner, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL pupils are behind a new campaign to banish bullies from schools.

Anti-bullying charity Bullybusters applauded the hands-on approach with students using their own words to tell would-be bullies they have nowhere to hide.

The NHS-backed Wirral Healthy Schools scheme has challenged pupils in the borough to take part in a poster competition with a difference.

As well as appealing to the children’s creative side, primary and secondary pupils from across the borough were asked to come coming up with anti-bullying slogans.

The powerful winning creations are now flooding the community to get across the message that bullying will not be tolerated, with posters appearing in GP surgeries, schools, youth clubs, and supermarkets.

The latest pupils to embrace the project hailed from 12 primary and secondary schools in Liscard and Seacombe.

Healthy Schools project officer, Peter Matthews said: “Children who are bullied suffer low self-esteem, so initiatives like this give them the opportunity to speak up and stand up to the bullies.

“There are some very clear messages in these posters, including one aimed at bullied children which states ‘Don’t Suffer in Silence’.”

The poster campaign has won the approval of Bullybusters - an anti-bullying charity backed by our sister paper the Liverpool Echo.

Kayte Eaton, co-ordinator of the charity said: “If we are to beat the bullies it is crucial pupils play an active part.”

Bullybusters offers the 0800 169 6928 helpline, an interactive website, and specially tailored anti-bullying workshops and peer mentoring schemes.