ChildLine launches volunteers drive

Nov 19 2012

A children's charity is searching for 200 volunteers as it plans to visit every primary school in Scotland to promote safety and raise awareness of issues such as bullying and abuse.

ChildLine aims to put on assemblies and workshops for all young pupils in the 2,154 primary schools in the country by 2016 and the service was launched at Davidson's Mains primary school in Edinburgh.

The charity said the ChildLine Schools Service is designed to encourage children to recognise situations where they may need help and to let them know where they can get support if they need it.

Volunteers for the service will be trained to give children the knowledge they need in clear and age-appropriate language.

Benjamin Napier, ChildLine Schools Service manager for Scotland, said: "Research from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) shows that an average of two children in every primary school classroom are suffering from abuse or neglect and the majority of cases go undetected.

"These young children often feel alone and desperate, and many have nobody to turn to.

"Most children who contact ChildLine are over 11 years of age, however many of these children suffered in silence for months or even years before eventually finding the courage to contact ChildLine.

"If we are really serious about stopping child abuse, we need to reach these children when they are younger.

"Volunteers are key to the new service, so it is vital that local people come forward to help us protect future generations."

Visit the webesite at www.nspcc.org.uk/schoolsservice for more information.