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INTRODUCING: DITCH THE LABEL

Ditch the Label is a not-for-profit organisation based in Brighton. They promote messages of equality and provide support for those that need it, on their website and social network. Its founder, Liam Hackett, was inspired to launch the project after his own experience of bullying and discrimination while at school. From the age of 16, he's been nurturing Ditch the Label. Here, he tells his story, and explains more about Ditch the Label: Growing up for me was difficult. I was bullied constantly for being gay, before I knew what it actually meant, starting in primary school and gradually worsening in secondary school. Being called gay constantly from a really early age was really hard, I was still trying to figure myself out and the negative backdrop was making me feel wrong about my growing feelings for other guys. The bullying turned physical and I was admitted to hospital at the age of 16 after being attacked outside of school by a group of bullies. I had stitches in my face and I was in a really dark place. I eventually left school and started college, and I finally started to feel greater acceptance and more comfortable with myself and my sexuality. I realised that sexuality is actually not a big deal after I had spent my time at school believing that it was the 'be all and end all'. I had witnessed other people being bullied, too, for things like the colour of their skin, a disability or even the music that they listen to. After leaving school at 16 I was inspired to launch Ditch the Label - a campaign used to promote equality and to provide support for young people trying to deal with bullying. Over the years the campaign has grown organically and we now operate our own social network that currently has over 29,000 members worldwide. I always had the support from my friends and family but never actually had anybody experienced to talk to, so the service bridges the gap. I have recently graduated from the University of Sussex with an honours degree in Business and Management with Marketing and spend a lot of my time on Ditch the Label. We have just launched a new website and an amazing photo campaign that really encapsulates the vision and the future of Ditch the Label. We have recently interviewed some really inspirational celebrities and gained their bullying stories, advice and support for Ditch the Label. We are now looking to expand with a merchandise range and a dedicated online counselling service, so that young people can speak in confidence with somebody that is trained to provide them with all the advice that they need when dealing with bullying, both offline and online. To find out how you can access the services Ditch the Label offers, or to get involved in working for the project, go to ditchthelabel.org

Ditch the Label is a not-for-profit organisation based in Brighton. They promote messages of equality and provide support for those that need it, on their website and social network. Its founder, Liam Hackett, was inspired to launch the project after his own experience of bullying and discrimination while at school. From the age of 16, he's been nurturing Ditch the Label. Here, he tells his story, and explains more about Ditch the Label:

Growing up for me was difficult. I was bullied constantly for being gay, before I knew what it actually meant, starting in primary school and gradually worsening in secondary school. Being called gay constantly from a really early age was really hard, I was still trying to figure myself out and the negative backdrop was making me feel wrong about my growing feelings for other guys. The bullying turned physical and I was admitted to hospital at the age of 16 after being attacked outside of school by a group of bullies. I had stitches in my face and I was in a really dark place. I eventually left school and started college, and I finally started to feel greater acceptance and more comfortable with myself and my sexuality. I realised that sexuality is actually not a big deal after I had spent my time at school believing that it was the 'be all and end all'.

I had witnessed other people being bullied, too, for things like the colour of their skin, a disability or even the music that they listen to. After leaving school at 16 I was inspired to launch Ditch the Label - a campaign used to promote equality and to provide support for young people trying to deal with bullying. Over the years the campaign has grown organically and we now operate our own social network that currently has over 29,000 members worldwide. I always had the support from my friends and family but never actually had anybody experienced to talk to, so the service bridges the gap.

I have recently graduated from the University of Sussex with an honours degree in Business and Management with Marketing and spend a lot of my time on Ditch the Label. We have just launched a new website and an amazing photo campaign that really encapsulates the vision and the future of Ditch the Label. We have recently interviewed some really inspirational celebrities and gained their bullying stories, advice and support for Ditch the Label.

We are now looking to expand with a merchandise range and a dedicated online counselling service, so that young people can speak in confidence with somebody that is trained to provide them with all the advice that they need when dealing with bullying, both offline and online.

To find out how you can access the services Ditch the Label offers, or to get involved in working for the project, go to ditchthelabel.org

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