NSPCC looking for new volunteers to deliver safety messages in Devon

The NSPCC has launched its latest search for new volunteers in Devon to help deliver its award winning Speak out Stay safe schools programme.

The charity’s Schools Service delivers Speak out Stay safe assemblies and workshops to primary schools across the region, and desperately needs more volunteers to help reach even more.

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 and 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.

This month the NSPCC is seeking new volunteers to help deliver this important service to schools across Devon. Last year the NSPCC delivered the programme to more than 147,000 children in more than 647 schools across the South West.

Christine Munn, 74, lives in Plymouth and is one of the Speak out Stay safe volunteers visiting primary schools in and around the city.

She said she first got involved with the NSPCC after reading an article in her local paper about the need for new volunteers for the schools service.

Christine added: “I am involved in various activities but I wanted to do something which would link with my previous work role in the probation service. Speak out Stay safe helps safeguard possible child victims of some form of abuse. It increases their awareness of their right not to be abused in a safe situation and also who they might contact for help.

“This knowledge will stay with them and be there if there is a future need. This is in itself an incentive to volunteer.”

And Christine said that she would recommend volunteering to anyone who might be interested. She said: “I would certainly ask people to consider volunteering for the NSPCC. I have never worked with children before and I have found it rewarding to be part of keeping them safe.”

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.

Michelle Green, NSPCC Schools Service Manager for the South West, 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 in Cornwall.

“Our volunteers have told us that 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 the important messaging.”

Anyone interested in becoming a Schools Service volunteer can sign up for a volunteer information meeting by going to the following websites. For people interested in Devon go to https://join-us.nspcc.org.uk/volunteers/vacancy/6595/description