Anti-Bullying Week: Friendship, Kindness and Finding Your Voice

Anti-Bullying Week runs from 16th to 20th November, and this year's theme is ‘Break the Silence’. It's a chance to think about kindness, friendships and making sure everyone feels included and listened to.

For our Fragile X families, it's also a good opportunity to celebrate friendships and the different ways people with Fragile X connect with others.

Making friends and feeling included

We know that friendships can sometimes be tricky for people with Fragile X. Social anxiety, communication difficulties or finding busy situations overwhelming can make getting to know others a little harder, whatever their age.

But friendships don't always have to involve lots of talking or being part of a big group. Some people are happiest with one or two familiar friends, while others enjoy spending time alongside someone doing something they both love.

Shared interests can really help. Whether it's gaming, football, animals, music or just having a laugh together, finding something in common can be a great way to build friendships.

And sometimes it's the small things that matter most, like being invited to join in, having someone save you a seat or simply being made to feel welcome.

Finding a way to tell someone

This year's theme, Break the Silence, is especially relevant for anyone who may find it difficult to explain when something has upset them.

For some people with Fragile X, talking about a problem at school, college, work, a day service or within a friendship isn't always easy. They might struggle to find the words, feel anxious about speaking up or find it easier to talk later, when they're somewhere familiar and feeling relaxed.

It can help to find a way of communicating that works for them. That might be chatting during a favourite activity, using pictures or visual prompts, sending a message or having someone they trust who knows when something doesn't seem quite right.

The important thing is that everyone feels they have someone they can turn to, who will listen and take them seriously, even if they can't always explain exactly what's happened.

Celebrating our differences

Anti-Bullying Week kicks off with Odd Socks Day on Monday 16th November, when people of all ages are encouraged to wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us all different.

It's a bit of fun, but there's a lovely message behind it. We don't all think, communicate or experience the world in the same way, and that's absolutely fine.

Perhaps it's also a good opportunity to talk about what makes someone a good friend. Is it someone who makes us laugh, enjoys the same things or helps us feel comfortable being ourselves?

After all, everyone deserves to feel included, valued and to have people around them who enjoy their company.

We'd love to hear from you

Has someone in your family made a special friendship through a shared interest or activity? Or have you found a way of helping them share their feelings or talk about their day that works particularly well?

We always enjoy hearing about the friendships and experiences that matter to our Fragile X families. You can send these to info@fragilex.org.uk.