Children and young people across Northern Ireland are being urged to ‘Make A New Friend’ as part of International Friendship Week (February 22-28).

The Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum said that holding out the hand of friendship was one way children and young people could make a real difference to peers in their local school, youth/sports group or community.

According to the most recent Department of Education figures, 38% of pupils in Year 6 and 20% of pupils in Year 9 have been bullied by others leaving them out of the group and excluding them from activities.

NIABF’s Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator Lee Kane said: “International Friendship Week is all about fostering better human relations, goodwill and peace in our own communities as well as around the world.

“During the week from February 22 to 28 children and young people could be encouraged to make a special effort to become friends with someone they have not spoken to before, or to a peer they think could do with an extra pal. 
 
“It is really important that children and young people do not become isolated from their peers, which in some cases could lead to bullying. There are many reasons why bullying can occur but most centre on a failure by others to accept or respect difference.

“A simple gesture, such as having a short chat or inviting someone to join an activity, can make a big difference. 

“We would also urge children and young people who see someone being bullied to report it to a parent or teacher as bystanders have a huge role to play in tackling bullying.”

Peer support schemes in schools are an excellent way of preventing bullying among pupils. Primary schools can run a ‘buddy’ scheme which provides a safe place where pupils who feel lonely can find refuge.  Children are trained in how to be an effective buddy with support from school staff. Post-Primary schools may offer a peer mentoring scheme for example, where older pupils mentor newly arrived Year 8’s until they feel settled in their new school.