‘If it helps one person – that was always the mission after Eden’s death’

A new anti-bullying programme is being rolled out across all primary and secondary schools in Ireland.

Bí Cineálta (the Irish for be kind) is Ireland’s action plan on bullying. The Heaslip family and ‘Be Buddies Not Bullies’ campaigners are proud to have played a role in its development and are delighted to see it implemented.

Launched in 2022, Chloe Heaslip set up the campaign after her brother, Eden Heaslip, died by suicide. Her brother had experienced bullying during his time in school. Chloe described how the programme is now being taught in all schools across Ireland and by this September it will be in all schools across the country.

“I’m really proud,” she told the Celt, adding that it is “emotional” too to see the Bí Cineálta flag flying outside schools nationwide.

“It took a lot of strength to try and make change because I really just want Eden’s name to be remembered and his legacy.”

She has been touched by the messages received from teachers from across Ireland where the policy has been rolled out.

“If it helps one person, that was always the mission after Eden’s death.

“It’s really nice to know that, for years to come that this policy, in all schools primary and secondary, one of the reasons for it was because of Eden.

“This academic year gone by, every school in Ireland whether it’s primary or secondary will have had two teachers go to official training, a full day training on Bí Cineáltas.”

These teachers then return to the school and teach the other staff with a half day closure of the school to provide the training. There’s four main topics within the legislation - prevention, support, oversight and community.

“It’s basically to make sure that every single teacher in the school is on the same page of how to deal with bullying.”

Everybody, including parents, children, boards of management, teachers and staff in the school have an opportunity to fill out a questionnaire as part of the programme. This identifies, for example, areas within the school that may go unsupervised where bullying may take place. It allows schools identify where they can make changes to their policy.

The programme also ensures that people know who they can talk to within the school if they suspect their peer or child is being bullied.

The Largy College music teacher said that Bí Cineálta “educates kids that kindness is really important”.

“What we wanted as the Be Buddies campaign was to realise that your words and actions do have consequences.”

On the campaign itself, Chloe described how they are currently waiting to get charity status for Be Buddies, Not Bullies, which is time consuming.

“It’s a long process,” she explained.

“There is a lot of paperwork, which we did not realise as a committee.”

The committee had initially endeavoured to create a phone line, however upon realising the large costs involved, they are now hoping to establish a website where resources for children who are experiencing bulling and their parents will be easily accessible. They hope to create the sign-posting site when they receive charity status. The website will have a country breakdown of what help is available.

“When you put in ‘I am being bullied’ into Google, it brings you to the Be Buddies website and it lists all the resources,” she said, describing how it is not clear what supports are available to families.

“That’s what we’re hoping for,” said Chloe, adding that she also wants to continue with talks in schools.

The committee is also planning to create a documentary on Eden’s story, which can be shown in schools.

“We are making progress,” reported his sister.

“We are working and we want to say a really massive thank you for all the fundraising events.”

The entire ‘Be Buddies Not Bullies’ committee are thankful to everybody who has donated and fundraised for their campaign so far.