How Bullying Devastated a Family
1 first met Anna Kennedy in 2019, when I was a guest on her radio show. I spoke about my business called The SEND Trainer and my role as a Play Therapist and most importantly a mum to two neurodivergent children.
In March 2022, we lost our beautiful 15 year old son to suicide after he reported that he was being bullied in his weekend job. Stefan had been working in a farmers barn in Thanet, Kent for 18 months and was doing really well, when his behaviour changed. He become withdrawn and anxious.
He reported to us that several staff members had found out he attended a specialist provision & had started calling him names & commented on his Autism in a derogatory way. The bullying was reported but Stefan wasn’t believed.
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“We had to do something good with such pain and tragedy”.
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Tristan (Stefan’s Dad) and I also deliver training & consultancy advice to organisations & professionals on understanding Autism as a different neurotype and advocate for neurodivergent affirming strategies and support, as well as campaigning in Kent & Medway for more appropriate mental health services for neurodivergent young people.
This enables us to change the narrative on Autism and provides an income to the CIC, so we can offer parents support for low cost and free.
In May 2024, we launched our community interest company inline with what should have been Stefan’s 18th Birthday, by hosting a four day art exhibition, poetry and music event. We had art work donated, raffle prizes and bid items from creatives all over Kent.
The event was visited by over 2,000 people. We raised £15,332, which we have been using to be able to provide training, advice sessions and 1 to 1 support for parents in Thanet, Kent on neurodivergence & mental health.
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STAK.life (Stefan’s Acts of Kindness) is dedicated to nurturing kindness, unity & inclusivity within communities, prioritising mental health & wellbeing.
www.stak.life
staklifeoffice@gmail.com
