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With the new academic year around the corner, Words Matter has launched a new resource designed to help parents and carers support children as they face key school transitions – whether starting nursery, moving to a new class, or taking the leap into secondary school.  Developed in collaboration with child and adolescent mental health expert Dr. Fiona Pienaar and Senior

“Too many adults are turning to harsh words without realising the lasting damage to children.”   Jessica Bondy, Founder of Words Matter, the first organisation in the world to focus on ending childhood verbal abuse by adults  A new landmark study published this week in BMJ Open1 reveals that childhood verbal abuse by adults – criticism, ridicule, threats, humiliation – can

Following the incredible response to Words Matter’s new film – featuring the moving poem by Tally Gilbert about why words matter for children and brought to life by 13-year-old Ethan – the charity has launched a national children’s poetry competition in collaboration with First News, the UK’s leading children’s newspaper.  Timed to coincide with the summer holidays, the competition invites

4 June 2025: Words Matter today unveils a deeply moving new film aimed at sparking a national conversation around the damaging impact of adult language on children. At its heart is a powerful poem, written by Tally Gilbert of Pinky Studio and brought to life by 13-year-old Ethan, whose stirring performance delivers a message that is impossible to ignore.  Shot

30 May 2025: A new summary report has been published following Words Matter’s expert- led crucial discussion at the House of Commons about why preventing childhood verbal abuse by adults should be central to the Government’s aim of raising the healthiest generation of children in history.   Chaired by Sharon Hodgson MP, the event focused on recent evidence highlighting the serious

28 April 2025 – Leading experts gathered at the House of Commons today to call for urgent national action to tackle childhood verbal abuse – now recognised as the most prevalent form of child maltreatment. Hosted by Sharon Hodgson MP and convened by the charity Words Matter, the expert-led discussion highlighted the critical need to include verbal abuse prevention in

Words Matter is holding an important discussion at the House of Commons on why preventing childhood verbal abuse by adults should be a critical part of the Government’s mission to raise the healthiest generation of children in history. Taking place on 28 April 2025, the discussion will be chaired by Sharon Hodgson MP and highlight the latest research on the

18 March 2025: Jessica Bondy, Founder of Words Matter, joined leading experts for a cross-industry panel to discuss restrictive beauty ideals and definitions. It was hosted by Coty, one of the world’s largest beauty brands, as part of the next stage of its award-winning #UndefineBeauty campaign. Her fellow panellists included: John-Dylan Haynes, Brain Scientist and Psychologist, Professor at the Charité Medical University in Berlin

To coincide with half-term week, Words Matter has launched a valuable new resource, Three things to avoid saying to a child when…, created in collaboration with Dr Fiona Pienaar, a leading child and adolescent mental health specialist, coach, and former teacher with over 30 years of experience. Dr Pienaar, currently Senior Clinical Advisor at Mental Health Innovations (MHI)/Shout 85258 and

Words Matter is piloting its first training programme to increase understanding of childhood verbal abuse by adults and provide practical guidance on how best to communicate with children so they can flourish. Leading children’s and mental health charities Place2Be, The Fostering Network and MIND are taking part in the pilot which is being evaluated by University College London (UCL).   A