Children from Victoria Primary School in Newtownards recently took part in an assembly with NSPCC Northern Ireland on the topic of how to keep themselves safe from abuse.
The special guest at the event was former Belfast Giants player and current assistant coach Jeff Mason. He came along to the assembly to hear about how the charity is working with schools to help keep children safe.
The Giants, who have brought ice hockey to over 150,000 fans per season in Northern Ireland since 2000, were delighted to be represented at the school to hear the vital keeping safe messages.
Jeff Mason of the Giants, said he was happy to represent the Giants at the assembly to show their support of the great work the NSPCC is doing to keep children safe.
The half-hour assembly is part of the Speak Out, Stay Safe service from the leading children’s charity. In the last school year alone, the NSPCC visited 49,726 children in 245 schools across Northern Ireland to deliver the vital assemblies and workshops.
Speak Out Stay Safe teaches children aged 5-11 how to recognise sexual, emotional and physical abuse and who they can talk to in order to find help. With the help of NSPCC mascot Buddy, the child-friendly, interactive assemblies and workshops help children:
- Understand abuse in all its forms and recognise the signs of abuse
- Know how to protect themselves from all forms of abuse
- Know how to get help, and the sources of help available to them, including the Childline service.
Karen Walker, NSPCC School Service Manager added: “The NSPCC’s Speak Out Stay Safe programme helps thousands of pupils across Northern Ireland to develop an understanding of what abuse is and how to get help to stop it from happening.”
Last year (2017/18) the NSPCC’s Childline service carried out 5,174 counselling sessions with children contacting them from Northern Ireland. The most frequently-discussed subjects included mental and emotional health, bullying and suicidal thoughts and feelings.
As part of the assemblies, the NSPCC tells children about how they can make contact with Childline if they need to talk to someone.
Karen added: “While we are delighted that the Schools Service has reached so many children, we want to reach all children in every corner of Northern Ireland.
“However, without the support of our amazing volunteers our programme simply couldn’t exist and that’s why we need more people to join our team.
“It’s a great way to meet new people and learn a new skill, while giving something back. The NSPCC give you all the training and support you need to feel confident in your role. We ask for a minimum commitment of three deliveries a month within school hours.”
If you would like more information on how to volunteer for the NSPCC Speak Out, Stay safe programme, please visit the NSPCC website at www.nspcc.org.uk/volunteer or email Karen Walker at karen.walker@nspcc.org.uk