Now in its fifth year, Hastings Young Persons Council has never shied away from tackling difficult issues. That's why, when its recent survey indicated that almost 70% of the town's young people between the ages of 15 - 18 had been bullied, it knew that something had to be done. Although all of the schools in the council's survey have anti-bullying policies, an incredible 99% of pupils asked felt they did nothing to help with the issue while 30% didn't even know their school had a policy.
"This school doesn't really take bullying seriously enough"
Bullying makes people's lives a misery and the way it's dealt with by schools, parents, carers and other adults, can make a huge difference to the way young people are able to cope.
"I was in year seven when it happened. I had just had an operation done on my hip, and I was rammed up against a wall when I got back to school, when it happened I was verbally and physically bullied. When I went to a teacher they confronted the bully with me present and this made me upset. A watch was kept, but this did not stop her."
G, aged 15
According to the registered charity 'Bullying Online' there are no official statistics for the number of people being bullied, but it's believed that around 16 young people in the United Kingdom commit suicide each year because of it while countless more suffer in silence.
The council has formed its own 'Anti-Bullying Sub Group' . Its nine members want to reduce bullying inside and outside of school, to make sure victims get the support they need and that schools and other organisations take bullying seriously. They're also serious about identifying bullies and making sure action is taken against them. Councillor Godfrey Daniel, portfolio holder for community safety, said:
"As an ex-teacher, I am well aware of the misery caused by bullying. I'm right behind the Young Persons Council and its stand against bullying. Secrecy is the friend of bullies and I would urge any young person facing bullying, in or out of school, to go and talk to someone as soon as possible."
Whilst our survey targeted young people in schools, there is evidence to suggest that bullying outside school and in the home is an even bigger problem. Schools in Hastings and St Leonards try to take a tough stance on bullying and recognise the many guises it comes in. Anti-bullying policies are in place to protect pupils from the bullies and provide access to teachers and non-teaching staff to talk through problems. So, if you're being bullied, tell a friend, tell a teacher and tell your parents. If all else fails, call CHILDLINE on their free 24 hour helpline on 0800 1111 about any problem, at any time - day or night.
In the meantime if you would like to help join the campaign against bullying or have any ideas about ways in which bullying can be stopped, please contact the Young Persons Council on 01424 781395. Visit registered charity www.bullying.co.uk for more advice and information.
You need to know…
Richard 'Boyley' Ball was a young BMXer, born and based in Hastings and well respected on the international BMX scene. Boyley also worked within the BMX industry for local company 'Seventies Distribution'.
In 2001 he helped bring people together to work on the White Rock Skate Park, eventually working alongside the park manufacturer and Hastings Borough Council to heavily influence the final design. He gained the respect of all Council colleagues and young people he worked with, with his dynamic and professional manner.
His unique character and absolute lust for life, made him a much loved individual. His memory remains a positive and inspirational role model to those he rode and worked with.
The Boyley Trust Fund was established after Boyley's tragic death two years ago, with the aim of raising money to extend the existing skate park at the White Rock Gardens in Hastings. The skate park will be named after Boyley once completed. To date, the Trust Fund has raised £10,000. This money has been raised through numerous sponsored events including the annual Boyley Jam at the Hastings Skate Park, an event organised by local BMXers in memory of Boyley.
The riding community has been brought together by his tragic death, and many are focusing their energies on supporting the trust in order to develop the skate park into a worthy legacy.
This year's Boyley Jam will take place at the White Rock Skate Park on August 21st. More information is available on www.theboyleytrustfund.com.
The Boyley Trust Fund would like to thank Seventies Distribution, Turners Cycles, The Pig, Cyclone, Cameron Presentations, Lord Clothing, Rampworx, Hastings Borough Council, and local Marathon Runners.
The search is on…
In six years you’ll have grown a metre and a half of hair, eaten approximately 250 burgers and been asleep for around 14,000 hours.
Impressive but nowhere near as impressive as some of the achievements the Hastings Young Persons Council (YPC) has notched up during its first six years.
YPC is made up of 32 members aged between 13 and 25 committed to making Hastings and St Leonards a better place for young people to live and work.
They have a direct link to councillors and council officers, pushing forward ideas and telling politicians what young people really want.
To get on the YPC you have to stand for election and this year the moment of truth takes place in October.
Anyone can become a candidate provided you are between 13 and 25, live, work or go to school or college in Hastings and St Leonards and can attend informal meetings at least one evening a week.
To find out more call the YPC on 01424 781395, if you don’t manage to reach them, make sure you leave your name and number or an address so they can call you back and send you some more information.
You could also visit the Hastings Information Centre and pick up an information pack.
Don’t forget – if you don’t join, somebody else will - do you really want somebody else speaking on YOUR behalf? THEN JOIN HASTINGS YOUNG PERSONS COUNCIL NOW!
Hastings Young Persons Council is a partnership project between Hastings Borough Council and the Youth Development Service.
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This page last updated: 24/08/2004