Our story
Bullying Recovery and Awareness CIC was founded by Shirley Faponnle in 2024, growing out of years of informal work supporting young people in diaspora communities through the aftermath of bullying.
The organisation was born from a simple observation: the communities most affected by bullying — particularly UK Nigerian, African-Caribbean, and other diaspora communities — were the least visible in national anti-bullying conversations, and the least served by mainstream services. BRA exists to change that.
Our mission
We are committed to raising awareness about the serious impact of bullying, advocate for stronger policies, protect those at risk and foster a culture of kindness and respect, encouraging positive interactions in schools, workplaces, and online.
Our four pillars
Everything we do serves one of four interconnected goals — the four pillars named in our founding mission:
- Awareness — naming bullying honestly and centreing real stories
- Advocacy — pushing for stronger policy in schools, workplaces, and platforms
- Protection — direct support for those at risk, routed to the right help fast
- Culture — empowering young leaders to build kindness from the ground up
Our team
BRA is led by a small, dedicated team of staff and volunteers, supported by a network of trained youth ambassadors across the UK.
Our team
BRA is led by a small, dedicated team of staff and volunteers, supported by a network of trained youth ambassadors across the UK.
Shirley Faponnle
Founder & Coach
Shirley founded BRA CIC after years of supporting young people in her community through the aftermath of bullying. Her approach is shaped by lived experience — BRA exists because no one should have to recover alone.
Dr Oge Ilozue
Director
Dr Ilozue brings a clinical and safeguarding lens to BRA’s governance. She oversees our safeguarding framework, partnership agreements, and the clinical soundness of our direct-support signposting.
Taiwo Orimoloye
Director
Taiwo leads on partnerships and community engagement, building bridges between BRA and the diaspora networks, supplementary schools, faith communities, and cultural associations.
Our values
Dignity first
Every person who comes to BRA — whether they’ve been bullied, are worried about someone, or want to help — is treated with respect. No judgement. No pity. Just respect.
Community-led
We don’t parachute in. We work with communities, not at them. Our programmes are shaped by the people we serve — especially young people.
Safeguarding is non-negotiable
Working with young people in distress carries real responsibility. We hold ourselves to the highest safeguarding standards — read our policy.
Hope over despair
Bullying is heavy. We don’t shy away from that. But we refuse to leave people in the heavy. Every BRA interaction ends with a next step toward hope.