When is Odd Socks Day 2020 and what is it all about?
Odd Socks Day 2020 is here! This is how you can take part in the important day at school, work or even at home by raising awareness and donating.
It sounds like a day to celebrate the socks long lost to the washing machine but Odd Socks Day 2020 means a whole lot more than that.
For many people in the UK, Odd Socks Day 2020 marks an important occasion for awareness in schools as it teaches children how to spot the signs of bullying, but it's also a special day in the workplace as organisers work to raise money and gather resources.
Research from the Anti-Bullying Alliance has revealed that 1 in 4 children reported they were being bullied a lot or "always" in 2016. While the risk of bullying decreased the older children became, those children who were bullied at school enjoyed going less and had poorer relationships with their teachers. They were also less likely to feel safe going to school or included in their class.
So what exactly is this unique day all about and how does it help?
What is Odd Socks Day?
Odd Socks Day is the first day of anti-bullying week, where both adults and children are encouraged to wear odd socks to school or work to raise awareness of bullying.
Although the Anti-Bullying Alliance, the charity who invented the day, does suggest a £1 donation from all those who take part, it’s not essential. Ultimately, they want the day to be fun for everyone and to give people a chance to express themselves and what makes them unique.
The theme this year is United Against Bullying and the charity have worked with over 400 people, a mixture of school staff and young people to make it happen. Their manifesto for 2020 is: “This year, more than ever, we’ve witnessed the positive power that society can have when we come together to tackle a common challenge.
GoodtoKnow Newsletter
Parenting advice, hot topics, best buys and family finance tips delivered straight to your inbox.
“Anti-Bullying Week is no different. Bullying has a long lasting effect on those who experience and witness it. But by channelling our collective power, through shared efforts and shared ambitions, we can reduce bullying together. From parents and carers, to teachers and politicians, to children and young people, we all have a part to play in coming together to make a difference.
“We’re all a piece in the puzzle, and together, we’re united against bullying.”
It's a chance for schools to take the time to educate children about everything from cyberbullying to recognising that the differences in others are positive, rather than negative. Each campaign has been a huge success as it reached over 7 million young people last year in 75% of all schools around the country and over 5 million children alone are expected to take part in Odd Socks Day 2020.
When is Odd Socks Day 2020?
Odd socks day is technically Monday November 16, but events run throughout the week and it will depend on the school’s timetable whether they have Odd Socks Day on the first day of Anti-Bullying Week.
The awareness week runs from Monday all the way through to Friday November 16, so there’s plenty of time to dig around in the sock drawer for some odd pairings.
How to take part in Odd Socks Day 2020
The best way to take part in Odd Socks Day 2020 is through activities and donations. Here are some of the ways to get stuck in:
- Wear odd socks to school or work
- Donate £1 to the charity through their Virgin Money donation page
- Share a photo of your odd socks online using the hastag, #oddsocksday and #anti-bullyingweek and tag @andyoddsock and @abaonline
Schools will also have their own range of activities planned, such as an assembly to raise awareness about all the different (and new) forms of bullying that take place, workshops in classes with activity packs and even competitions for the best odd socks around.
It’s a yearly event so if you’ve missed Odd Socks Day 2020, don’t worry as it will be back next year with a new manifesto and another chance to wear the weirdest socks in your drawer.
Grace Walsh is a health and wellbeing writer, working across the subjects of family, relationships, and LGBT topics, as well as sleep and mental health. A digital journalist with over six years experience as a writer and editor for UK publications, Grace is currently Health Editor for womanandhome.com and has also worked with Cosmopolitan, Red, The i Paper, GoodtoKnow, and more. After graduating from the University of Warwick, she started her career writing about the complexities of sex and relationships, before combining personal hobbies with professional and writing about fitness.
-
How long is the school summer holiday in the UK?
Too long is not officially the right answer...
By Heidi Scrimgeour Published
-
Results Day 2024: what's next for A-levels under the Labour government?
The current government intends to keep A-levels while also continuing to support and expand T Levels
By Tanith Carey Last updated
-
School terms 2024: Holiday and term dates across the country
We have those all-important school term dates for the remainder of the year, to make sure your calendar is up-to-date with the latest information.
By Ellie Hutchings Last updated
-
How to add your Clearing choice to UCAS
Find out how to appeal A-level results and when does clearing open with this helpful guide to get you through results day
By Heidi Scrimgeour Last updated
-
GCSE results 2024: When are GCSE certificates issued?
GCSE results are a nerve-wracking time, but once out the way you might find yourself asking when are GCSE certificates issued?
By Heidi Scrimgeour Last updated
-
From tears to Tariff points, here's a parent's guide to what to expect on A-level results day
What to expect on A-level results day, how to understand their results and what to do if they didn't get what they wanted
By Tanith Carey Last updated
-
When do kids break up from school? Summer holidays 2024
When do kids break up from school for the summer? As we head into the final weeks before the long break, we have the key dates you need to know about.
By Emily Stedman Last updated
-
How to appeal a school place: what to do if your child doesn’t get the school you wanted
Getting your child into the school you really want for them can be a nail-biting time for parents. Here's how to appeal if your child doesn't get in...
By Emily Stedman Published