Press release

Big Society funding enables transition of award-winning Beatbullying into new social action organisation

Half a million children and young people will now be able to access an online advice service to deal with issues like bullying, racism or violence.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Half a million children and young people will be now able to access an online advice service to deal with issues such as bullying, racism, violence, truancy and unemployment as a result of investment from a Big Society Fund. Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd has awarded £1.3 million to children’s charity Beatbullying so that young people can get support and advice in a safe online environment on issues that are worrying them such as problems with their peers or parents. 

The new funding will mean that the charity can recruit up to ten thousand new volunteers to mentor young people through difficult times. The opportunities are for people of all ages, including young people themselves who can volunteer to help people their own age. Once the volunteers have graduated from the appropriate training, they can then sign up to offer a few hours a week of their time to mentor young people online.

Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd said:

We are excited by the potential of this investment. It will give thousands more people the opportunity to play their part in helping some of the most vulnerable young people in Britain.

Published 25 January 2012