Mark welcomes new charity Red Balloon raising hope in the battle against bullies
24 Mar 2010
Mark will be visiting Red Balloon Learner Centre; a registered charity aimed at the recovery of bullied children, this Friday (26th March 2010).
The city centre based learning centre is now open to children who have experienced bullying at school and offers one on one tuition and support to vulnerable students to help them overcome anxiety and reintegrate them back into mainstream education.
Carol Hargreaves, Co-ordinator said: “Our aim is to help students recover their confidence and rebuild their lives and most of our students will return to school or go on to college or work placements. Indeed 95% of our students who stay longer than six weeks fully recover.”
The charity was first set up in a private home in Cambridge in 1996 with centres in Norwich, London and now Preston with each centre accommodating up to 15 students. The Preston Centre based in Ribblesdale Place was opened this earlier this year and has a number of teachers and volunteers who provide an 'intensive care' programme of full-time education in a safe learning environment for children aged 10-17 who are unable to go to school because they have been severely bullied.
Mark said: “I am delighted that Red Balloon have decided to provide this facility here in the North West and base their Learner Centre in the City. I have known children who have been bullied and I know that it is very difficult for them to have the confidence to return to school to continue their education. A service like this will prove invaluable for children, parents and teachers who battle against bullies on a daily basis and gives bullied children the opportunity to gain an education in a supportive and therapeutic environment which they otherwise would not have had.”
If you would like to find out more about Red Balloon, make a donation, or become involved in volunteering, please visit www.redballoonlearner.co.uk