Sticks ‘n Stones has plenty to celebrate as it marks its 10th anniversary.

The not-for-profit organisation turned 10 last month, and as it celebrates the milestone its members acknowledge how “hugely proud” they are of its achievements - working alongside young people for positive social change and a bullying-free New Zealand. 

Chief executive and co-founder Karla Sanders spoke to Brent Harbour on The Outlet about the evolution of the organisation, its milestones, how it operates today and a recent trip to the World Anti Bullying Forum (WABF) on Friday, November 17. Listen here.

“Being 10 is pretty huge. We were never expected to last beyond a year. So, the fact that we're still here 10 years later is testament to just the incredible young people that work with us,” Karla said.

Sticks ‘n Stones was created in 2013 with 30 teenagers from five Central schools, after an application to a Ministry of Social Development fund for bullying prevention was successful. 

Karla said the goal was to be able to use the lived experience and expertise of young people to be able to be part of decision making that affected them.

Stick ‘n Stones is not a traditional adult-led workshop, where adults ‘talk at’ tamariki and rangitahi.

“We . . . undertake action research with young people to find out what is happening in their school and then create a programme with young people to respond to some of those opportunities for confidence and skills to be built.

 “[That] might be anything from understanding what bullying is and what it isn't, to developing your own understanding of your self-talk and the impact that has on your own self-esteem, to how you might manage disagreements or conflict, how you might stand up for yourself, stand up for others.”

Board member Abby Golden who has been involved with Sticks ‘n Stones since she was 15, travelled to the WABF 2023. PHOTO: Supplied 

Karla said mental health is a huge challenge facing young people in Central and nationally.

“Rates of bullying, both in Central Otago and nationally, are incredibly high when compared to other countries in the OECD. Alongside that comes almost a tolerance of bullying, or someone being mean, that we are expected to brush off and to not actually [recognise] as being harmful.

“There's also still a reluctance for help seeking. What I hear from young people often is I don't wanna be a bother. Mum and dad are really busy at the moment . . . this isn't bad enough for me to reach out.

"That's one of the things that we are really trying to tackle that it's not comparative suffering.

“If you're hurting, then you deserve help and everyone deserves help and support . . . [and it’s out there] . . . we want to make that easier for young people to access too.”

She described Sticks ’n Stones as a “lean charity” and said they are grateful for any support, recently national support and funding has come through being a part of the One Good Kiwi initiative where people donate tokens online.

“It's also really powerful to check out our website, follow us on social media and begin having those conversations with the young people in your life, that . . . makes a huge and positive difference."

The organisation has ways adults can be involved too, including support for workplaces in terms of developing understanding and processes around workplace bullying, and resources for parents relating to social media as well. 

Find Sticks ‘n Stones on their website.