Anti-Bullying Week and World Kindness Day are annual events which take place in November, and encourage us to spread the message of kindness and tolerance.

Following the success of the campaign in 2023 – when 80% of schools marked the week, reaching over 7.5 million children and young people – this year, we’ll be empowering children and young people to choose respect.  The Anti-Bullying Alliance has a full programme of events and activities for the week including Odd Socks Day, a fun opportunity for children to express their individuality and Friendship Friday to celebrate positive relationships.

The theme of Choose Respect was chosen following consultation with teachers and pupils by the Anti-Bullying Alliance which coordinates Anti-Bullying Week every year in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Teachers and children wanted a theme that empowered them to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes.

"From playgrounds to parliament, our homes to our phones, this Anti-Bullying Week let's 'Choose Respect' and bring an end to bullying which negatively impacts millions of young lives.

This year, we’ll empower children and young people to not resort to bullying, even when we disagree and remind adults to lead by example, online and offline.

Imagine a world where respect and kindness thrives — it’s not just a dream, it's in the choices we make. Join us this Anti-Bullying Week and commit to 'Choose Respect'."

Odd Socks Day Post

Odd Socks Day is on Monday 13th November, the first day of Anti-Bullying Week, and we are encouraged to wear odd socks to school or work (even in the home office!) to highlight that we are all unique and to celebrate our differences. There is also a Odd Socks Song courtesy of children's TV star Andy Day and his band Andy and the Odd Socks - you can find the video, plus posters, competition details and flyers at anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week/odd-socks-day.

There are some great resources for these events, written by teachers, suitable for children in both Primary and Secondary Schools, at www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

And for information on the growing problem of cyberbullying, how it can affect kids and adults, and the ensuing mental health-related problems, visit www.broadbandsearch.net/blog/cyber-bullying-statistics. 

World Kindness Day is an internationally recognised shared event introduced by the World Kindness Movement in 1998 to highlight, unite and promote good deeds within the community and in day to day life.

There are many ways to take part and schools and community groups across the country will be holding special events including making kindness cards and encouraging random acts of kindness. In the past Kindness UK has handed out 10,000 free chocolate bars at London Train stations and encouraged a Text Wave that swept through the country. 
You can find out what's planned for this year at kindnessuk.com and perhaps plan your own act of kindness!

Scroll down for a selection of books that tackle both the theme of bullying and also stories about kindness and kind acts, plus we have also a large collection of books that focus on Friends & Friendships.

Anti-Bullying Week runs from from Monday 11th - Friday 15th November.

Follow the Anti-Bullying Alliance @ABAonline

#UnitedAgainstBullying   #AntiBullyingWeek #ReachOut #OddSocksDay

World Kindness Day is Wednesday 13th November.

And @TeamKindnessUK

#SpreadTheKindness