TOWN Hall bosses are helping children deal with bullies in London’s East End with a free telephone helpline which began on today (Monday). It was launched at the start of Anti-bullying Week by Tower Hamlets council for pupils and their parents

Mike Brooke

TOWN Hall bosses are helping children deal with bullies in London’s East End with a free telephone helpline which began on today (Monday).

It was launched at the start of Anti-bullying Week by Tower Hamlets council for pupils and their parents.

Volunteers from Step Forward, an advice group in Bethnal Green which already runs a project giving confidential advice and support to youngsters, are manning the phones Monday to Friday from 3.30 to 6pm, when kids can call to talk about things worrying them as soon as the school ends.

“No child should have to suffer at the hands of bullies,” said the council’s Head of Early Years Children’s service Helen Jenner.

“Tackling bullying is one of our priorities. Bullying unfortunately does exist, so it’s important we support those that need help.”

The volunteers have received training from the council on child protection and training from Childline which has operated a national helpline from its call-centre in Spitalfields for 20 years.

The benefits of a Tower Hamlets helpline is that its volunteers know the area, the schools, the community and how the East End is different from anywhere else.

The Monday-to-Friday helpline, 3.30-6pm, is 0800-1216 753.