As we step into 2026, many people will be thinking about the positive changes they’d like to make in the year ahead. For anyone looking to give back to their community, volunteering with the NSPCC is a meaningful way to support children and young people across Scotland.
One of the ways to support children is by becoming a Childline counsellor. Our Childline bases in Aberdeen and Glasgow are always looking for new volunteers to support children and young people through our phone and online services.
With a child contacting Childline every 45 seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, volunteers play a vital role.
Another rewarding opportunity is with our Schools Service. Volunteers deliver our Speak out, Stay safe workshops in primary schools, helping children understand their right to be safe, recognise the signs of abuse, and know who they can turn to for support. Last year, the programme reached more than 60,000 across Scotland, and in 2026 we hope to reach even more.
Full training is provided, and visits can be arranged around work or family commitments. Every shift is different, and volunteers often tell us that the enthusiasm and curiosity of the children they meet is what makes the role so special.
If this sounds like something for you, visit the NSPCC website to find out more.
This November, more than 8 million children and young people across the UK are taking part in Anti-Bullying Week 2025, running from 10 to 14 November.
Coordinated by the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), the campaign is supported by patrons Andy and the Odd Socks, and Rúben Dias, Manchester City and Portugal footballer.
This year’s theme, Power for Good, celebrates the ability we all have to stand up to bullying, spread kindness, and create safer environments for every child.
Anti-Bullying Week began with Odd Socks Day on Monday 10 November – a fun, inclusive day, led by the hugely popular Children’s TV Stars, Andy and the Odd Socks, where children and adults wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique.
A national call for government action
The Anti-Bullying Alliance Advisory Group, made up of leading organisations working with children across the UK, is calling on government to take stronger national action. They are urging ministers to ensure that all schools and those working with young people receive the skills, training, and support they need to:
Identify bullying early
Respond effectively and sensitively
Build inclusive cultures that prevent bullying before it starts, especially those most at risk.
The group emphasises that bullying prevention must be seen as a core part of safeguarding children and an essential part of promoting wellbeing and equal opportunities.
A week of celebration and action
Anti-Bullying Week will include:
Odd Socks Day, encouraging individuality and kindness with a new toe tapping song from Andy and the Odd Socks
A Parliamentary event on Wednesday 12 November bringing together MPs, Lords, ABA patrons, and young people to discuss solutions.
The Anti-Bullying School Staff Awards, honouring staff who go above and beyond to support children.
Free school resources for schools to embed anti-bullying messages into school life.
Campaign activity in thousands of schools, youth settings, and homes nationwide, including events led by Young ABA, the Alliance’s youth activist group.
Bullying still affects more than one in five children every year
Despite progress, more than one in five children and young people experience bullying each year. The impact can be devastating, affecting their mental health, confidence, and ability to thrive at school, with the effects often lasting into adulthood.
Rúben Dias, Patron of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, said: “Growing up I saw abuse, exclusion and damage being caused.
“That is why being part of Anti-Bullying week matters to me. I want young people to stand up against it and help each other to be better.”
Andy Day, Andy and the Odd Socks, said: “Music and laughter can open doors to real conversations. By having fun, like Odd Socks Day, we can show that our differences are our gifts, not something to hide.
“For me, Anti-Bullying Week is more than a campaign, it’s a reminder that every child deserves to be seen, heard and safe. When I visit schools, I’m always moved by the way children come together to support each other. You can really see the Power for Good young people have when they stand up for one another.”
CHILDLINE:
In 2024/25, Childline delivered 291 counselling sessions to young people in Scotland where their main concern was bullying – an average of 24 sessions per month.
When contacting Childline about online bullying, young people are telling the service that they’re seeing nasty or hurtful posts about themselves, that bullying is taking place in group chats, that they’re facing peer pressure, and they’re experiencing stalking or harassment.
When contacting Childline about other types of bullying, young people say they’re receiving verbal and/or physical bullying, being bullied about being different, being left out or excluded and being part of rumours or gossip.
Lauren Burke, Childline manager in Glasgow, said: “Bullying doesn’t always look the same – it can happen at school, at home, or through screens. But no matter the form, its impact can stay with young people for years, even into adulthood.
“Every day, Childline hears from children across Scotland who are being bullied. Anti-Bullying Week gives us a vital moment to stand together, shine a light on the issue, and show young people they’re not alone. It’s about raising awareness and making sure bullying is challenged wherever it shows up.
“Silence allows bullying to grow. By speaking up and standing beside those affected, we can help keep children safe. Childline is here around the clock – online and by phone – with trained counsellors ready to listen and support any young person, no matter what they’re going through.”
Martha Boateng, Director of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, said:“With so many children turning to Childline for support, it’s clear that bullying continues to have a profound impact on young lives.
“We all have a responsibility to act, from parents and teachers to the government. This Anti-Bullying Week, we’re calling on every adult to use their power for good and help create a society where all children feel safe, respected and included.”
Rachel Talbot, 18, NSPCC Lived Experience Advocate, who grew up in Angus, said: “From the age of three, I was bullied at school — in the classroom, in the playground, and later online.
“It was relentless. I became withdrawn and anxious, and I kept waiting for someone at school to notice and act. But no one did. That silence made me feel like I didn’t matter.
“The bullying continued into secondary school, even after I moved catchment areas. I remember taking part in Odd Sock Day to celebrate difference and being bullied for that too. It only stopped when I left school. Therapy helped me rebuild my confidence and develop ways to cope, but the impact stayed with me for a long time.
“Speaking out has been a turning point. Through the NSPCC, I’ve shared my story publicly to help improve support systems for young people. I want children to know they’re not alone – and that change is possible. Childline is always there, with trained counsellors ready to listen and support anyone who feels unheard.”
Supportive mother comforting sad teenage girl rejected by friends, helping depressed teen daughter to deal with breakup. Upset depressed adolescent child looking at phone at home, waiting for call
Advice for parents
Talk to Your Child: It’s important to choose the right time to talk to your child. When you do, try to stay calm, as they may be feeling scared or embarrassed. You can also let them know who they can turn to for help if they would rather speak to another adult.
Help Them Relax: Bullying can cause children to lose confidence. Encourage them to engage in activities that make them feel good, such as listening to music, playing games, participating in sports, or joining clubs and classes.
Arrange a Meeting: It is helpful to request a copy of the school’s or club’s anti-bullying policy. Additionally, take notes on what is discussed. This meeting is a good opportunity to ask about the actions the school plans to take and to ensure that you are satisfied with their response.
Report Bullying: In addition to providing emotional support for your child, review their internet privacy settings to ensure they are secure and up to date. Make sure your child knows how to block accounts and report anyone who is bullying them to the relevant platform. Further advice on this can be found on the NSPCC’s online safety hub.
If your child has bullied someone, you may feel a mix of anger and disappointment. However, it’s important to help your child understand what bullying behaviour is:
Explain Bullying: Talk to your child about the impact of bullying on others. Make sure they understand that such behaviour is unacceptable. Children don’t always realise that their actions are bullying and how much it can hurt someone else.
Encourage Empathy: Help your child recognise the feelings of the person they have bullied. Ask them how they think the other child is feeling and encourage them to recall a time when someone was unkind to them. This can help them develop empathy for others.
Decide Next Steps: Discuss what actions you will take next, such as informing their school, and let your child know what you expect from them moving forward. Encourage them to ask questions about why it’s important to change their behaviour.
Monitor Your Child: Keep an eye on your child’s behaviour and maintain ongoing conversations about how they treat others. Praise them when they demonstrate positive behaviour but also reinforce your expectations when necessary.
More information and advice can be found on the NSPCC’s website for adults helping their child with bullying.
Advice for children
Report and Block Individuals: You can report bullying on social media platforms. It’s good to make the report yourself, as this increases the likelihood that the content will be removed.
Keep Evidence: Maintain a record of incidents, noting what happened and when. It’s also helpful to take screenshots of any online messages.
Tell Someone: It’s important to talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent or teacher, and share the evidence of the bullying. If the bullying is occurring at your school, they have a responsibility to support you.
Practice Assertiveness: Being assertive means standing up for yourself in a calm and confident manner, without being aggressive. This can help you feel more empowered and in control when facing bullying.
Take a Break from Messages: It’s natural to want to see what others are saying when you’re being bullied. However, stepping away from your phone or device for a few minutes can help you feel calmer and more at ease.
More information on Childline’s advice to young people on dealing with bullying can be found here.
A sad girl intimidation moment Elementary Age Bullying in Schoolyard
Snapshots from Childline counselling sessions
“I feel isolated and I’m tired of being bullied. The boy I have a crush on shared our messages with everyone in our class after I expressed my feelings for him.
“Now everyone’s making fun of me for being gay; they blocked me and kicked me out of group chats. I feel so betrayed.” – Boy, 13, Scotland
“The past few weeks I have realised that I’ve become a target of bullying, both physically and verbally. I spoke to my counsellor about it but I’m really nervous that my bullies are going to hurt me for speaking up.
“They are known to do things like this and the last person to tell someone about their behaviour got a fair beating from them and I’m worried I’m next.” – Girl, 13, Scotland
During the October holidays, many families across Scotland will be weighing up childcare options and wondering whether their children are ready to be left home alone.
There’s no legal minimum age for a child to stay at home or go out alone, and it’s common for parents to contact the NSPCC Helpline for advice. Every child is different, and between work and other responsibilities, it’s understandable that parents may need to consider this decision.
It’s not always easy to know what’s best, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Very young children, especially those under three, should never be left alone – not even briefly while popping to the shops or leaving them in the car. For older children, we wouldn’t recommend leaving anyone under 12 at home alone, especially for long periods.
What matters most is how your child feels. If they’re anxious or unsure, they shouldn’t be left by themselves – even if they’re older.
Feeling safe and confident is key, and they need to know what to do in an emergency. Talking things through can help you understand their concerns and decide if they’re ready.
To support families, the NSPCC has created online checklists to help guide these decisions. And for children who need someone to talk to, Childline is available 24/7.
They can speak to a trained counsellor for free by calling 0800 1111 or using the 1-2-1 chat at www.childline.org.uk.
A new campaign to help tackle child sexual and criminal exploitation has been launched in Renfrewshire.
‘Ready to Talk’, which is being delivered by NSPCC Scotland in partnership with community charity I Am Me Scotland and Renfrewshire Child Protection Committee, aims to support children, young people, professionals, parents and carers to have conversations about child sexual exploitation.
It will also help to increase people’s understanding of the issue, including knowing the signs and where to get support and advice.
The campaign, designed for young people aged 11 and over, was officially launched at an event on Thursday (2nd October) which was hosted by St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation at St Mirren Park, Paisley.
The campaign will be touring around schools this month to perform a play ‘It’s Not OK’ which has been written by York St John University with a Renfrewshire focus and contributions from local young people.
It highlights online safety issues including grooming, gaming and sexting, and explores healthy and unhealthy relationships and coping with strong emotions.
Dr. Matthew McVarish*, a multi-award-winning human rights activist and survivor of childhood sexual abuse, delivered the keynote speech on awareness of child sexual exploitation in the current Scottish and global context.
Aoife, 21, from South Lanarkshire, an NSPCC Lived Experience Advocate, shared her experience of sexual exploitation at the campaign’s launch yesterday.
When she was 15, she was exploited by a man who pretended to be a teenager. He asked her to send him images of herself then he blackmailed her with these, threatening to share them with all her friends and family on Facebook, to control her behaviour.
When his demands became increasingly frightening, Aoife recalled being told at school about the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) and reported the images. Through this, her school and parents supported her to report what happened to the police. The perpetrator was sentenced in 2022 following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Aoife said: “I’d say to young people if this happens to you – it’s not your fault. You are the victim, and you have been taken advantage of. They are to blame, not you.
“It’s important that you don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed if you’ve shared images of yourself. Support is available, you can even get help to delete images of you that have been posted online.”
Carla Malseed, NSPCC Scotland Local Campaigns manager, said: “We hope this campaign will help to increase everyone’s understanding of what child sexual exploitation looks like and where they can get support and advice if they experience any of the issues raised.
“The resources that accompany the ‘It’s Not OK’ play can also be used by parents, carers and professionals to increase their awareness of this issue and to recognise when a young person may be at risk because they are in an unhealthy or exploitative relationship.”
Mhairi O’Rourke, I Am Me Development Co-ordinator, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the young people who have helped shape the Ready to Talk campaign and the powerful resources that accompany it.Their creativity and insight have been vital in making sure the materials speak directly to their peers.
“By working closely with parents, carers and professionals, we’ve been able to understand what support they need to have open, honest conversations with young people about exploitation and online safety. Together, we’re helping to build a community that’s informed, empowered and ready to talk.”
Tam Baillie, chair of Renfrewshire Child Protection Committee, said: “We are proud of our young people and teams being part of this national campaign to increase people’s awareness of child sexual and criminal exploitation.
“The Renfrewshire Child Protection Committee working with NSPCC and I Am Me Scotland strengthens the partnership approach required to keep our children free from harm.
“Knowing the signs of abuse and how to report it helps keep children and young people safe and we as a community all have a part to play in being aware and reporting any concerns, no matter how big or small.”
Schools and professionals will be able to use accompanying resources, which include films, lesson plans and activities.
Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.
Children can better recognise and manage their emotions following an NSPCC programme delivered to hundreds of primary school pupils in Govan, researchers have found.
The Emotional Resilience programme was created by NSPCC’s Together for Childhood (TfC) Govan project after teachers told them that children were struggling with their ‘big feelings’ when they returned to classrooms after the Covid-19 lockdowns.
The sessions, which include mindfulness, fun games and songs, are designed to increase children’s confidence in recognising and managing their emotions – to improve their wellbeing, behaviour and emotional development.
The programme was delivered by the TfC team in seven Govan primary schools from 2021 to 2024, reaching approximately 799 pupils. Since the evaluation of the programme, sessions for early learning and childcare settings – co-created with Kirktonholme Nursery – have been delivered to three nurseries in Govan.
The Emotional Resilience resources are now being rolled out to schools in Govan so that teachers can continue to deliver the programme.
A deeper dive into the results of the programme by staff in the NSPCC’s research and evidence team revealed that children who took part have benefitted by being emotionally supported.
The findings, summarised in a report1, showed that children learned how to identify different feelings and gained a better ability to recognise the emotions of others and empathise with them. Many children had learned and practiced self-care techniques to manage their emotions, and some had even shared what they had been taught with members of their families. They were also able to name trusted adults and felt more confident to seek support.
Prajapa Seneviratne, Research and Evaluation Officer with TfC Govan, said: “We found that The Emotional Resilience programme has clear benefits for children and schools.
“It has helped children to feel nurtured in their learning environment, giving them confidence to form trusting relationships that can aid them to learn and achieve.
“The findings show that there is a need for emotional resilience programmes in primary and nursery schools in Govan, and more widely across Scotland, as the benefits of the programme align with the Health and Wellbeing goals of the Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland.
“Improving children’s awareness of and skills in emotional resilience at the earliest point, in a supportive school environment, can lay a strong foundation upon which they can achieve and thrive.”
The evaluation of the programme’s results also revealed that teachers had improved connection with pupils and understanding of their lives, helping them to better support the children and respond promptly to safeguarding concerns.
Kirsty Aitken, Assistant Director NSPCC Scotland, said: “This report powerfully underscores the importance of nurturing emotional resilience in children from the earliest stages of life.
“Emotional resilience is crucial to a child’s development and ability to cope, adapt and thrive as they grow up – even in the face of adversity. It is key for managing stress, coping with change and transitions, and maintaining healthy mental wellbeing throughout life.
“By fostering confidence in recognising and expressing ‘big feelings’ we lay the groundwork for stronger wellbeing and resilience as children navigate the complexities of growing up.
“The report’s findings offer clear, compelling insights into what children need to thrive emotionally. It is imperative that we create intentional space to truly listen to their voices – and respond with care and commitment.”
A facilitator’s guide for the programme has been given to all primary schools in Govan. Teachers have said they plan to use the session plans with their ‘nurture classes’ and with children who need additional support with ‘big feelings’.
A guide for early years education settings in Scotland is also being developed, following a successful pilot of an adapted version of the programme delivered by early learning and childcare staff.
For a copy of either facilitator guide or more information, please email: Scotland1@nspcc.org.uk
Children can contact Childline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 0800 1111 or go to www.childline.org.uk about any worries or concerns they may have.
Parenting advice and support is available by contacting the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk or visit the NSPCC website.
This project was made possible by funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, and we would like to thank National Lottery players for their support.
We would also like to thank Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Government, our local partner, Govan HELP, and everyone else who has supported this project.
A Childline counsellor from Aberdeen is gearing up to walk 50km along the Great Wall of China next month to raise funds for Childline.
Gemma Cutler, 22, has volunteered with Childline for over two years. She will join a group of 18 fellow fundraisers on the epic challenge.
Dubbing themselves the ‘Tartan Trailblazers’ the group will set off in late September and will walk 10km on five consecutive days along the iconic site, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. They will navigate steep terrain and thousands of uneven steps in aid of the NSPCC-run service.
Gemma is a recent graduate from Aberdeen University, with degrees in Psychology with Counselling Skills, and Autism & Learning. She is currently working as an education support worker at Linn Moor Residential School.
She said: “I’ve spoken to many young people through Childline and I know how important it is for them to have a safe space to talk about their feelings and be listened to without judgement.
“Childline believes that everyone matters. That’s why I’m taking on this challenge—to help ensure the service can continue to be there for children who need support, whenever they need it.”
Gemma became involved with Childline after hearing her mother talk about her experience as a Childline volunteer. She saw advertisements online looking for volunteers and decided to sign up and says the experience has been both rewarding and eye-opening.
She added: “It’s a privilege to be part of something that makes such a difference. Every donation helps Childline continue to offer that lifeline to children who may have nowhere else to turn.
“I have already raised more than £3,000 on JustGiving and I would just like to thank everyone who has donated. It’s amazing that so many people have dug deep for such an amazing cause, and it will encourage me to keep going – even during the toughest moments.”
The trek, organised through travel firm Charity Challenge, will follow the winding path along the Yan Mountains to the Gubeikou Gateway, including the famous ‘heavenly staircase’—a steep climb with dramatic views and exposed conditions.
Participants will face early starts, basic overnight accommodation, and unpredictable weather, with rain, wind and sun all possible during the five-day journey.
Funds raised will go towards supporting NSPCC services, including Childline’s free counselling for children, the adult Helpline for reporting concerns about a child and to get parenting advice and support, and educational programmes such as Talk PANTS and Speak Out Stay Safe, which aim to prevent abuse and neglect.
Young people looking for support can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.
Adults with concerns about a child can contact Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk.
Children in police custody in Glasgow are being offered confidential support from Childline as part of a new initiative. The project, being run by the NSPCC, the children’s charity which delivers Childline, and Police Scotland, provides children in custody with information about the support service and offers them the chance to talk confidentially to a counsellor.
Young people who find themselves in custody in Glasgow are being offered to call Childline, where experienced counsellors can give them advice and emotional support in a confidential setting. This is to help the young person through a difficult time and try to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
During the 10-week pilot period in Glasgow, 97% of the 107 young people brought into custody accepted the Childline leaflet.
The initiative was originally launched in Merseyside in September 2023, before being rolled out in Cheshire in March 2024.
Approximately 2,500 young people aged 10 to 17 and 1,000 18-year-olds in Merseyside and Cheshire have been told about the support available from Childline or seen a poster or leaflet with information about Childline.
Being taken into police custody can be a frightening experience for young people, and many of those who have contacted Childline told counsellors they felt scared and alone.
One 14-year-old told Childline*: “I’m in police custody again after arguing with my parents. It got violent, and they called the police.
“I’ll be released soon and I’m too scared to go home but I can’t leave my siblings there without my protection. Can you help me?”
An 18-year-old said*: “It’s not my first time in custody and one of the hard things is it reminds you how alone you are. I was meant to speak to my young person’s advisor today but missed it because I’m in here.
“She’s all I have, and I know she’s so close on giving up on me. I know I’m not coping and need options, but I don’t have anyone else to turn to.”
The idea for the scheme came from Deborah Rigby, a retired Merseyside police officer, who is now a supervisor at Childline in Liverpool.
Through her work she realised that many young people who came into custody would benefit from the support that Childline offered. She approached Merseyside Police, and they saw the potential in a collaboration with Childline, then they worked together to make it happen.
When a young person comes into custody, they are given the opportunity to receive emotional support, but they do not always take it because the offer has come from the police. This often results in young people being released without receiving the additional support they may need, which can increase the likelihood of reoffending.
It is hoped that young people will be more likely to accept a confidential call to Childline when they are in custody, and this could provide the first step towards breaking the cycle of reoffending.
We are working with @Childline to support young people in custody. Children who find themselves in police custody in Glasgow will now be provided support material by Childline and offered a confidential call with a Childline counsellor.
Assistant Chief Constable for Police Scotland Criminal Justice Services Division, Wendy Middleton said: “We welcome this initiative which has been providing additional support to young people who come into custody in Glasgow.
“We look forward to rolling this out nationally and ensuring that the same support is available across Scotland.
“We acknowledge that police custody can be a daunting and traumatic experience, particularly for children and young people. It is important that they can speak to someone in confidence who can listen to them and potentially help to address wider problems that they are experiencing. Childline is a valuable partner in this regard.”
Adeniyi Alade, NSPCC Scotland Helplines Service Head, who is based at the Childline call centre in Aberdeen, said: “This partnership allows us to reach young people who may feel vulnerable and need someone to talk to for advice at what might be a very difficult time.
“There are many reasons a young person comes to be in police custody and it’s important they are given all the support they need.
“While we are working with the police, the support we offer young people will be completely confidential. As with all calls to Childline, our support will be independent, and the police will not be made aware of it.”
During the pilot period, children and young people up to the age of 17 brought into police custody were offered a call with a Childline counsellor.
It is hoped that the initiative will be rolled out across Scotland after the NSPCC has assessed its impact in Glasgow.
The police custody centre at London Road, Glasgow, includes six cells which have been modified and decorated to improve the environment when children are detained. Cells have been painted with murals and have chalkboards, jigsaw puzzles, soft toys, books and posters to create a calming experience during a stressful time.
In addition, London Road has a separate discrete charge area with a lower height charge bar for processing children and young people, and other vulnerable detainees.
The transformation of London Road custody centre has acted as a pilot for the modernisation of several other children’s custody suites, which includes Police Scotland’s primary custody facility for Glasgow in Cathcart.
Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.
*Snapshots are based on real Childline service users but are not necessarily direct quotes. All names and potentially identifying details have been changed to protect the identity of the child or young person involved.
NSPCC Scotland is launching a new Community Fundraising Group in Musselburgh, Portobello and East Edinburgh. We are seeking enthusiastic and creative volunteers to play a crucial role in raising vital funds for our services such as Childline and Speak Out, Stay Safe.
We will only need volunteers for one to two hours a month, and we offer a flexible arrangement designed to fit around work, family and social life. Key activities include engaging with neighbours, local organisations and businesses to spread awareness, organise small-scale events or campaigns, and inspire donations that ensure our services remain free for those who need them most.
Participants will receive comprehensive support, including practical fundraising advice, promotional materials and ongoing guidance from our dedicated Community Fundraising Team. Beyond the personal reward of helping to keep children safe, volunteers gain valuable experience in communication, organisation and leadership, all while connecting with like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a difference.
If you would like to play your part in protecting young people and have a couple of spare hours each month, we’d love to hear from you. If interested, contact me via email at arlene.main@nspcc.org.uk or call 07891 598 086. Together, we can fight for every childhood and create safer communities for all.
We are proud to support National Play Day on Wednesday, August 6, which has the theme of ‘Spaces for Play’, highlighting the vital importance of spaces for children to play and explore.
It’s crucial for young people to spend time connecting with their friends, and children have the right to play, as stated in the UN Convention on Rights of a Child.
However, Play Scotland has revealed startling figures within the School Grounds in Scotland Report.
It says 15 per cent of schools have lost outdoor space in recent years and nearly half of schools consider their grounds as ‘low utility’ for supporting learning, play, and sport.
This Playday we are supporting calls for spaces for play that are welcoming, accessible and inclusive of children and young people of all ages and abilities.
And we are encouraging families, carers and communities to come together through play across the generations.
The NSPCC has a set of fun and evidence-based resources for new parents called Look, Say, Sing, Play, that provide activities to be enjoyed with babies and toddlers to help encourage higher quality interactions and build stronger bonds.
Together we can create a more playful world where all children can grow, thrive and feel a stronger sense of belonging.
Visit www.nspcc.org.uk or search online for NSPCC Look Say Sing Play.
Children in police custody in Glasgow are being offered confidential support from Childline as part of a new initiative.
The project, being run by the NSPCC, the children’s charity which delivers Childline, and Police Scotland, provides children in custody with information about the support service and offers them the chance to talk confidentially to a counsellor.
Young people who find themselves in custody in Glasgow are being offered to call Childline, where experienced counsellors can give them advice and emotional support in a confidential setting. This is to help the young person through a difficult time and try to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
During the 10-week pilot period in Glasgow, 97% of the 107 young people brought into custody accepted the Childline leaflet.
The initiative was originally launched in Merseyside in September 2023, before being rolled out in Cheshire in March 2024.
Approximately 2,500 young people aged 10 to 17 and 1,000 18-year-olds in Merseyside and Cheshire have been told about the support available from Childline or seen a poster or leaflet with information about Childline.
Being taken into police custody can be a frightening experience for young people, and many of those who have contacted Childline told counsellors they felt scared and alone.
One 14-year-old told Childline*: “I’m in police custody again after arguing with my parents. It got violent, and they called the police. I’ll be released soon and I’m too scared to go home but I can’t leave my siblings there without my protection. Can you help me?”
An 18-year-old said*: “It’s not my first time in custody and one of the hard things is it reminds you how alone you are. I was meant to speak to my young person’s advisor today but missed it because I’m in here. She’s all I have, and I know she’s so close on giving up on me. I know I’m not coping and need options, but I don’t have anyone else to turn to.”
The idea for the scheme came from Deborah Rigby, a retired Merseyside police officer, who is now a supervisor at Childline in Liverpool.
Through her work she realised that many young people who came into custody would benefit from the support that Childline offered. She approached Merseyside Police, and they saw the potential in a collaboration with Childline, then they worked together to make it happen.
When a young person comes into custody, they are given the opportunity to receive emotional support, but they do not always take it because the offer has come from the police. This often results in young people being released without receiving the additional support they may need.
Assistant Chief Constable for Police Scotland Criminal Justice Services Division, Wendy Middleton said: “We welcome this initiative which has been providing additional support to young people who come into custody in Glasgow. We look forward to rolling this out nationally and ensuring that the same support is available across Scotland.
“We acknowledge that police custody can be a daunting and traumatic experience, particularly for children and young people. It is important that they can speak to someone in confidence who can listen to them and potentially help to address wider problems that they are experiencing. Childline is a valuable partner in this regard.”
Adeniyi Alade, NSPCC Scotland Helplines Service Head, who is based at the Childline call centre in Aberdeen, said:“This partnership allows us to reach young people who may feel vulnerable and need someone to talk to for advice at what might be a very difficult time. There are many reasons a young person comes to be in police custody and it’s important they are given all the support they need.
“While we are working with the police, the support we offer young people will be completely confidential. As with all calls to Childline, our support will be independent, and the police will not be made aware of it.”
During the pilot period, children and young people up to the age of 17 brought into police custody were offered a call with a Childline counsellor.
It is hoped that the initiative will be rolled out across Scotland after the NSPCC has assessed its impact in Glasgow.
The police custody centre at London Road, Glasgow, includes six cells which have been modified and decorated to improve the environment when children are detained. Cells have been painted with murals and have chalkboards, jigsaw puzzles, soft toys, books and posters to create a calming experience during a stressful time.
In addition, London Road has a separate discrete charge area with a lower height charge bar for processing children and young people, and other vulnerable detainees.
The transformation of London Road custody centre has acted as a pilot for the modernisation of several other children’s custody suites, which includes Police Scotland’s primary custody facility for Glasgow in Cathcart.
Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk.
Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.
