FAB Feb (Foróige Against Bullying Month) was a major success, largely in part to the devotion of volunteers who fuelled bullying awareness initiatives through clubs, projects and services. Groups in Mulhuddart, Longford town, Banteer Lyre, Brookfield, Bullaun, Carrick-on-Suir, Tallaght, Kildare, Athlone, Tyrrellstown, Kanturk, Killygarry, Lackagh, Listowel, Aghabog, Blanchardstown, Newcestown, Scarriff, Scotstown, Smithboro, Corduff and more carried out FAB Feb activities such as video production, poster competitions, positive peer influence workshops etc.
2014 was the second year of FAB Feb. Over the last two years, FAB Feb has grown in strength throughout the organisation with many more clubs and projects getting involved. We have seen a huge increase in the numbers of young people taking part and we would like to congratulate everyone who took part this year. This year’s FAB Feb put the focus on positive peer influence and bullying, however the ideas, activities and projects that are created during February can be carried out and developed throughout the year.
FAB Feb began in 2013 as a response to the issues of bullying and cyber bullying raised by young people in Foróige. FAB Feb was initiated by the Reference Panel of Foróige and from the very positive feedback received it was decided to make it an annual event. This year the Reference Panel developed the idea further by focusing on positive peer influence among young people.
Positive peer influence is when those around you affirm and support you and encourage you to reach your potential. We are already doing this in Foróige but during February we encouraged young people to try out new ways of creating and developing positive peer influence in their clubs and groups.
Popular activities included educational workshops and speakers on bullying and cyber bullying, excellent poster campaigns, creative videos on positive peer influence and bullying. There were also inter club and inter county events that focused on positive peer influence and issues such as cyber bullying as well as creating connections between club members from different clubs and counties. One of the activities that was very widespread among clubs and groups was TAB (Tea and Biscuit) Time. This is a special time where young people and adults chat about every day things and issues of interest.
Barry’s Tea kindly came on board and sponsored 12 special hampers to be awarded to a selection of great FAB Feb videos and photographs. This generated great excitement and a flurry of Facebook activity, spurring on even more action around the country!
We would again like to congratulate all the young people, staff and volunteers who got involved in FAB Feb this year and we are all looking forward to an even bigger and better FAB Feb 2015.
