CastleK1 have secured funding from the Interface/Contested Areas Funding 2020/21 to deliver a programme across the local community to young people who are affected by bullying.
We have noticed that within the local community there still remains some tension and unease, however as an academy we are open and inclusive to everyone and pride ourselves on the cross border/cross community membership that we have. We have seen an increase in the rise of bullying and intimidation in our community and feel that this is an area in which we would like to tackle and address.
Along with the increased awareness of Bullying in our society and adding to this the current pandemic we have seen an increase in rural isolation, social deprivation and poverty within our local community, which in turn is having a negative impact on individuals physical, emotional and mental health and well being. We want to ensure that this project can help to provide support and opportunities for those at risk and to offer diversionary options to explore rather than turning to violence.
Our aim is to address this trend by offering 3 x 6 weeks of an anti bullying programme which will incorporate physical training, talking sessions and raising awareness of the topic. The programme will be tailored to 3 different age groups
- 8 – 11 years old
- 12 – 16 year old
- 17 years and upwards
We feel that as a local academy we can attract and engage with those most hard to reach and through this project help to instil discipline, structure, respect and confidence. The project will not only benefit the children and young people that partake but also the wider circle of family, friends, schools, and local community. We want to demonstrate and educate young people that everyone is different and this needs to be respected and accepted.
This project is in conjunction with Derry City and Strabane District Council and T:Buc.