Swansea City AFC Foundation support Anti-Bullying Week at Ammanford Premier League Kicks session
Swansea City AFC Foundation and Dyfed-Powys Police raised awareness of anti-bullying week at a Premier League Kicks session in Ammanford.
Anti-bullying week aims to highlight ways of preventing and responding to bullying, with this year’s theme being to ‘choose respect’, empowering children to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt bullying causes.
The Foundation ensured a number of young people were given the opportunity to learn about how they can choose respect, firstly by teaming up with Bullies Out for a session with Premier League Primary Stars students at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Then, Premier League Kicks participants in Ammanford also engaged in an anti-bullying workshop, delivered by Dyfed-Powys Police’s Intact team for Carmarthenshire.
Odd Socks Day is a recognised part of anti-bullying week in an effort to celebrate the fact that everyone is unique, with the young people and Premier League Kicks coaches getting involved.
Dayton Hughes, Intact officer for Dyfed-Powys Police, covers the Carmarthenshire area as part of their early intervention team.
“Today as part of anti-bullying week, the Swans Foundation have invited me to come and talk to the young people, raising awareness of bullying,” said Hughes.
“We’ve been talking about a lot of the issues around bullying, first of all what bullying is and then what effects bullying may have on people short term and long term.
“Young people need to be aware of these things. Knowing that if they are being bullied they should speak to a trusted adult.”
Jamie Bessant is the lead Premier League Kicks coach at the Foundation’s Ammanford sessions and highlights the important role the programme has in supporting young people.
“Premier League Kicks is all about supporting young people in every way we can,” said Bessant.
“Having good role models in the coaches hopefully means to them that if they are ever struggling and think they can’t speak to a parent or guardian or teacher, then they can always come to our coaches for help and support.
“They can also see the presence of the police at our sessions so if they have any issues or concerns then they can raise that with them as well and have a conversation with the officers.
“Respect is one of our key values and components of our code of conduct. We’re lucky to have a session here on such a phenomenal facility so it’s about respecting the environment but also respecting each other, their teammates and the opposition.
“It’s great to see everyone getting involved wearing their odd socks and that’s what it’s all about, being inclusive and supporting campaigns like odd socks day so everyone feels safe here.”