We Need Your Help to Continue Reaching Young People Who Need Us Most

Diversity Role Models are working tirelessly to ensure that all young people can thrive without being subjected to bullying because of their perceived differences. However, we're now facing the harsh reality that without additional financial support, we'll have to significantly reduce our services to the young people and schools that need us most. 

We need to raise £100,000 within the coming weeks to maintain our current reach and support the most vulnerable young people in our communities. 

This would have a devastating impact on the young people we're set up to support because they need our life-changing, bullying prevention workshops more than ever. Without your support, we won't be able to reach thousands of young people in classrooms who need to know they are valued and supported, particularly in LGBTQ+ communities where bullying rates are highest.

The Crisis in Our Schools

The statistics are shocking and will surprise many people: 

• 45% of secondary students say pupils who are gay or thought to be gay are bullied at their school 

• 34% of students report bullying based on appearance, 32% based on sexuality, and 31% based on gender expression 

• A new low of only 18% of secondary students think someone who is LGBTQ+ would feel safe to come out at their school 

• An estimated 1,544,000 children aged 10 to 15 years (34.9%) experienced in-person bullying behaviour in the year ending March 2023, with 847,000 (19.1%) experiencing online bullying (Crime Survey for England and Wales) 

These aren't just numbers – they represent real young people whose education, mental health, and future prospects are being damaged daily. Bullying creates lasting effects that ripple through society, affecting workplace performance, mental health services, and community cohesion for years to come.

Our Current Challenge 

Since the charity's formation, we've always operated through the lens of bullying prevention, ensuring that we remain current, lean, and operationally excellent. However, we've found ourselves caught in an unexpected and challenging fundraising environment: 

• Anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-DEI climate causing corporates to move away from funding diversity work 

• Loss of government funding when the Department for Education paused anti-bullying initiatives 

• Economic difficulties and increased employer costs leaving schools without funds for essential programmes 

• General decline in donations for LGBTQ+ and diversity initiatives across the charity sector 

Why Our Work Matters Now More Than Ever 

Though funding has become more difficult, the current social climate makes our work MORE important, not less. Rising tensions, anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and divisive rhetoric in society mean young people face increased prejudice and bullying. Our "Embracing Difference, Ending Bullying" approach creates immediate impact on young people: 

Immediate Impact on Young People: 

• 100% of staff who witness our workshops say the Role Model's story helped pupils celebrate difference and build empathy 

• 95% of primary students commit to respecting people who are different after our sessions 

• 89% of primary pupils and 58% of secondary students feel more confident to act when they see bullying 

Future Change:  

Our work doesn't just create better learning environments and help vulnerable young people feel seen and safe today – it helps create kinder, more accepting adults for tomorrow. We're building a generation that understands the true meaning of respect, empathy, and inclusion. 

Your Impact 

Every pound you donate has a direct positive impact on the lives of young people. Your donation contributes to subsidising workshop delivery in schools that cannot afford our full costs, ensuring we can reach the most vulnerable students. 

12 years ago we set out with a mission to eradicate bullying and to create spaces where all young people can thrive regardless of their differences. We've reached over 250,000 young people in that time. We need your help to reach thousands more this year. 

Without your support, countless young people in communities with the highest need will continue to suffer, and we'll lose the opportunity to create an inclusive society that is the foundation to individual well-being.

 *Individual differences include race, ethnicity, religion, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status and age.

Data Sources | Diversity Role Models Impact Report 2024/25 | Crime Survey for England and Wales 2023 | Diversity Role Models Impact Report 2024