Can you help the NSPCC provide vital safeguarding information in north west schools?

Photo: NSPCC

Speak Out Stay Safe workshops teach children about the different types of abuse and how they can speak out and stay safe (the child pictured is a model)

The NSPCC is looking for new volunteers to support its school service and visit primary schools across the north west to help children understand how to spot and speak out about the signs of abuse.

To ensure the vital work can continue, the country’s leading children protection charity is looking for fresh faces to step up and deliver sessions in schools.

The service was impacted by the pandemic, which forced the service into the digital domain. But now as volunteers return to classrooms, more people are needed to ensure the service continues.

As part of a supportive team, members will help share vital safeguarding information to young people in the region.

Lindsay Henretty, who lives in Cheshire, has been part of the NSPCC school service team for eight years and gets a lot of satisfaction from the role.

She said: “It’s a great way to volunteer and make a difference. You get to meet a wide range of people and work as part of a team.

“The real joy is visiting and delivering the Speak Out Stay Safe message in schools.

“The interaction with children face-to-face is a privilege. It is so important we get the safeguarding message out to all children, so they have that vital information should they ever need it.

“The experience with the school service is flexible, fun and definitely worthwhile.”

Nick Hanslip, NSPCC school service coordinator, said: “I’m so proud of Lindsay and the team. They all have an amazing attitude and dedication to delivering this important safeguarding information to children at primary schools.

“I’d love to welcome some new volunteers to help us reach even more.

“We’re looking for people to help us protect a generation of children from abuse and neglect. As a volunteer, you will visit primary schools to deliver our Speak Out Stay Safe workshops that teach children about the different types of abuse and how they can speak out and stay safe. In some sessions children may speak up and disclose abuse, so you will also be required to sensitively handle this, but don't worry you'll get plenty of support and training on this.”

To find out more about volunteering for the NSPCC’s Schools Service, go to Speak out Stay safe | NSPCC.