Achieving Mum of the Year 2009, Linda James

Linda James, 48, from Tremorfa, Cardiff has been named Tesco magazine's 'Achieving Mum of the Year 2009'

When Linda found out her 14-year-old son, Alex, was being bullied she knew she couldn't just sit back and do nothing.

So in 2006 Linda founded the charity Bulliesout to support victims of bullying both in this country and further afield.

Linda knows only too well the trauma of being bullied, as her own experiences forced her to leave school before she completed her exams. So she was devastated when she discovered her son Alex was suffering the same fate. All the horrors Linda had faced came flooding back and she was determined to help her son.

Bulliesout

Alex found it difficult to talk about it but told his mum that he would be willing to speak to a professional on the internet. As Linda discovered, no such internet facility existed. So, despite chronic arthritis, this mum of three worked tirelessly to create one. And in 2006 Linda launched the charity Bulliesout.

The charity is committed to helping both children and adults who have been affected by bullying, providing them with an online support system. Through Linda's drive Bulliesout has gone from strength to strength. Its website has a forum and a message board where people share their experiences. There is also an online web chat facility, which operates daily from 5-8pm, where trained volunteers talk to those in need of a friendly voice.

Reaching out

The site receives over 40,000 hits a year, with members including parents, teachers and schools as far away as the USA. Bulliesout has helped other young people realise that they are not alone (such as one girl who contacted the site saying she was suicidal and subsequently logged on with her mum).

Bulliesout also works with schools and youth organisations running a peer mentor scheme, where children can learn how to help their fellow students. The charity holds school assemblies to raise awareness of bullying. And Linda has produced booklets, available in libraries and leisure centres, for those who may not have access to the internet.

www.bulliesout.com

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Linda James – Tesco magazine's Achieving Mum of the Year

Linda James – Tesco magazine's Achieving Mum of the Year

Linda's determination has helped beat bullying.

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