Bradley Brook-Egan, Megan Johnson, Chloe Truman, Tanesha Collinson; Thomas Sabunas, Zachary Reynolds and Melody Robertson wearing their new Upside Online wristbands

Lichfield students will form part of a new service hoping to support teenagers on issues such as bullying.

Pupils from Nether Stowe School have joined the Upside Online scheme run by children’s charity Barnardo’s.

The intiative will see a team of student champions spread the word as well as manage events at the school to coincide with national campaigns such as Safer Internet Day.

Bradley Brook-Egan, Megan Johnson, Chloe Truman, Tanesha Collinson; Thomas Sabunas, Zachary Reynolds and Melody Robertson wearing their new Upside Online wristbands
Bradley Brook-Egan, Megan Johnson, Chloe Truman, Tanesha Collinson; Thomas Sabunas, Zachary Reynolds and Melody Robertson wearing their new Upside Online wristbands

Nether Stowe’s headteacher Ruth Poppleton said: “The students will gain skills and experience to complement those developed in the classroom. At the same time we have an opportunity to work alongside a national charity to help promote a valuable resource to support students across the district.”

The service aims to help teenager’s cope with stress brought on by issues such as bullying, family breakdown and exam stress.

Claire Bailey, from Barnardo’s, said: “The service is proving to be a real help to young people – around 1,800 fact sheets have been downloaded since schools broke up for summer.

“We’re delighted that Nether Stowe is recruiting Upside champions who will help spread the word among other students. They will be easily identifiable to other pupils as they will be given special yellow Upside wrist bands.

“Champions signing up for a year will receive accreditation for the time they spend volunteering.”

Upside Online is staffed by a specially trained team of staff and volunteers who also offer young people the opportunity to take part in anonymous live web chats between:

  • 6pm and 11pm on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
  • 12noon and 5pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
  • 10am and 3pm on Sundays.

Amy Hooper is the lead Upside Champion at Nether Stowe. She said: “I’m really, really excited at this opportunity to develop the role, not only for Nether Stowe students but also for the whole of Staffordshire.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.