Children in Newtown have been among more than 1,200 in Powys to have learned what the signs of abuse are and who they can go to for help in the first term of the current school year, thanks to the NSPCC.
During the 2018/19 autumn term, members of the child protection charity’s schools service team visited nine schools across the county with ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ – a programme designed to give them the knowledge they need to stay safe from abuse and tell them who they can turn to for help.
It meant that a total of 1,202 children were reached with the vital safety messages.
The NSPCC is continuing to visit schools in Powys and across Wales with ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ assemblies and workshops.
Candia Crosfield, the NSPCC’s schools service manager for Wales, said: “Through the ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ programme we aim to empower a generation of children.
“We help them to understand different types of abuse and help them learn how to talk to a trusted adult if they’re concerned about for themselves or one of their friends.”
‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ aims to help children by giving them the understanding they need to stay safe from abuse and neglect in an age-appropriate manner.
Primary school children are taught by specially-trained staff and volunteers, assisted by NSPCC speech bubble mascot Buddy, to speak out if they are worried – either to a trusted adult of Childline.
Candia added: “Teachers have often told us how grateful they are that the NSPCC has tackled this topic with the children.
“We know that abuse can be prevented and that children can get help if they speak out. Tens of thousands of children across Wales have already heard this vital message.
“We always need volunteers to help us spread the message, particularly those who are Welsh-speaking, so we can reach every single school in the country.”
The ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ programme is a combination of assemblies and a workshop. The assembly helps children understand the different types of abuse so they can get help when they need it.
During the workshops, year 5 and 6 students take part in engaging activities to explore definitions of abuse in more detail.
Launched in 2011, children at more than 1,500 schools in Wales have so far received safety messages on how to speak out about abuse from specially-trained NSPCC staff and volunteers.
Nearly 500 NSPCC visits took place in Welsh schools in 2017-18 alone, during which more than 58,000 children were reached with safety messages through the mediums of English and Welsh.
The service is entirely funded through fundraising activities for the NSPCC, and is offered to schools at no cost.
For details on the 'Speak Out, Stay Safe' service, visit learning.nspcc.org.uk/services/speak-out-stay-safe.
If you are interested in having the NSPCC visit your school, please visit the NSPCC website.
