More than 6,000 children in Anglesey and Gwynedd have been taught how to stay safe from abuse or neglect this year by NSPCC Cymru/Wales and the leading children’s charity is appealing for help to reach even more children.

The NSPCC’s ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ service in schools helps children by giving them the understanding they need to stay safe from abuse and neglect in an age-appropriate manner through assemblies and workshops.

So far in the 2018-19 academic year, specially-trained staff and volunteers have visited 41 primary schools in Gwynedd – speaking directly to 3,818 pupils as part of the programme.

In the same period, 2,456 children in Anglesey have received a visit from the NSPCC, with 20 schools opening their doors to the vital safety messages of ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’.

Despite the numbers reached, the NSPCC is keen to visit even more schools and is asking for more local people to volunteer in the two areas.

Rhian Jones, the area co-ordinator for schools service in North 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.

“We want to reach as many children in Wales as possible, and also in the language that they feel most comfortable with.

“Our Welsh-speaking schools service volunteers in the north are doing an excellent job, but it would make a real difference to the service if we were able to get more people on board.”

‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ assemblies see primary school children taught by staff and volunteers, assisted by NSPCC speech bubble mascot Buddy, to speak out if they are worried – either to a trusted adult or Childline.

During the workshops, year 5 and 6 students take part in engaging activities to explore definitions of abuse in more detail.

Rhian 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.”

Launched in 2011, children at more than 1,500 schools in Wales have so far received visits with more than 300 taking place this academic year alone.

The service is entirely funded through fundraising activities for the NSPCC, and is offered to schools at no cost.

The NSPCC has made its appeal during Volunteers’ Week – a UK-wide celebration of volunteers and a celebration of their contribution.

For details on the ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ service, including how to volunteer, 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. https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/services/speak-out-stay-safe/