Volunteers needed for NSPCC schools service to help keep children in Staffordshire safe from abuse

The NSPCC is calling on people in Staffordshire to help keep children safe by teaching primary school pupils how to recognise signs of abuse and the importance of speaking to trusted adults about their worries.

The charity’s schools service runs a programme in primary schools called Speak out Stay safe that includes face-to-face workshops.

Children are taught in an age appropriate way to understand that they have a right to feel safe, and that they can speak to a trusted adult or Childline if they ever need help or support.

However, due to a shortage of volunteers, the charity is struggling to provide face-to-face workshops in all areas.

Matthew Harding, the NSPCC Schools Coordinator for the region, said: “We need new volunteers in Staffordshire to help us protect the next generation of children from abuse and neglect.

“Our schools service volunteers play a vital role in making sure children understand what abuse is, how to spot the signs of abuse and to feel empowered to speak out about it if they’re worried or scared.

“However, due to volunteer shortages in this area, we are still dependent on using an online programme that was made available during the pandemic. We would love to be able to offer all schools the face-to-face workshops so that local children can fully interact and benefit from the experience that Speak out Stay safe can provide and to ultimately protect their childhoods. But we need more volunteers to do this.”

As an NSPCC schools service volunteer, people will receive training and support while also gaining the chance to be part of a friendly team and experience of speaking in public.

Sharon McCormick, a business owner and counsellor in Lichfield, has been volunteering for the NSPCC school service since 2013. Sharon said: “Volunteers deliver critical safeguarding messages to children in a way that is both age-appropriate and engaging. There is no organisation other than the NSPCC that can deliver child safety workshops in this way and have such an impact on children. Without volunteers, we can’t run these face-to-face workshops.

“Being a schools service volunteer is a role I value highly, and it gives me immense satisfaction knowing my counselling skills are being put to effective use with future generations. The training is thorough, and I enjoy it when volunteers get together to share experiences and challenges, but there is no greater reward than knowing I'm part of an organisation that places children's rights at the centre of the message that we deliver in schools.”

For anyone interested in volunteering for the NSPCC there are other volunteering opportunities available, including roles for Childline and community fundraising. To find out how you can be an NSPCC volunteer please visit www.nspcc.org.uk