Volunteers needed to help the NSPCC share vital messages in County Durham primary schools
Could you spare just a few hours each month to help the NSPCC keep children in County Durham safer?
The charity’s Schools Service delivers Speak Out Stay Safe (SOSS) assemblies and workshops to primary schools across the region, and desperately needs more volunteers to help reach more children.
Speak Out Stay Safe is designed to help children aged five to 11 understand how to recognise abuse in all its forms. Using age-appropriate language, it helps them understand that abuse is never a child’s fault, that they have the right to be safe, and how to get help from safe adults or the NSPCC’s Childline service.
Through assemblies and workshops delivered by volunteers with the help of mascot Buddy, children learn about the different types of abuse and what to do if they're ever worried about themselves or a friend.
Helen Downes is a volunteer in the Durham Tees Valley area. She said: “I have been volunteering in this role for five years and still thoroughly enjoy it. I believe it is extremely important to let children know that they have the right to and should speak out about any problem which is worrying them.
“Volunteering for the school’s service is a very rewarding role and made all the more enjoyable as I’m part of a really supportive team - all members of the team are friendly and helpful. It is a really worthwhile role as it enables volunteers to help spread a very important message to children that there is always someone there for them to speak to and not to be afraid to speak out.”
Last year, the NSPCC delivered the programme to more than 185,000 children in more than 831 schools in Yorkshire and the North East, and this January wants to recruit more volunteers to deliver sessions in coming months.
Michelle Green, NSPCC Schools Service Manager for the region, said: “We would love to hear from anyone who can spare just a few hours each month to help share vital Speak Out Stay Safe messaging with children and young people across the region.
“Our volunteers have told us they consider it a privilege to raise children’s awareness of their right to be safe, and many feel that through the Schools Service they have also gained a sense of pride, confidence and empowerment by delivering these workshops and sharing this important messaging.”
All NSPCC Schools Service volunteers are required to give a minimum commitment of visiting two schools a month and they will receive training and support from their dedicated coordinator.
To apply to become an NSPCC Schools Service volunteer, please visit: https://join-us.nspcc.org.uk/volunteers/
For further information, please contact volunteerrecruitment@nspcc.org.ukshare vital messages in County Durham primary schools