We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to become part of the ISPCC Fundraising Team.
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Why ISPCC is giving a huge thank you to Ohk Energy and Caelan Doris
Childline by ISPCC says a huge thank you to Ohk Energy and their ambassador, rugby star Caelan Doris, who teamed up to support the vital work carried out by the charity with their phenomenal Power a Brighter Future initiative.
In just one month the combined efforts of Ohk Energy and Childline Champion Caelan Doris raised over €16,000 which will go directly to help the children and young people who need ISPCC’s vital services.
As part of the campaign, from August 6, 2024, to September 6, 20,24 €50 from every Ohk Energy sale of solar PV systems and air-to-water heat pumps was donated to Childline. Ohk Energy is a new group brand comprised of leading renewable energy providers NRG Panel and JFW Renewables.
John Church, CEO of ISPCC, said: “We are so grateful for the generous support from the team at Ohk Energy and our Childline Champion Caelan Doris. They are really helping us to offer a lifeline to all the children and young people who need us. The reality is that we could not continue to carry out the work we do if it wasn’t for these wonderful and essential collaborations with our partners. We truly appreciate the commitment from Ohk Energy and Caelan Doris to helping us make a real difference in the lives of those who need us.”
ISPCC needs to raise over 70% of its funding through donations each year to ensure we can be there to support children and young people 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. We rely on the generosity of the public and are grateful for all support. We encourage children to reach out for any reason.
The moonlighting DJ who swapped talking for listening
Meet Marty Guilfoyle. He’s a man with a secret. A DJ and radio presenter by night, he does something that you really wouldn’t expect when the sun comes up – he volunteers for Childline, Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service.
Thirtysomething Marty, who works for Spin FM, doesn’t match the usual profile of a charity volunteer, but he’s proof that anyone can find the time to help those who need it.
When he first thought about volunteering, those closest to Marty queried if he really had the time to fit a four-hour weekly shift into his hectic schedule. However, he says that supervisors at Childline made it easy for him to chose a time he could commit to every week.
He has never looked back. “I gain a sense of purpose. I could be exhausted but five minutes into my shift, I’m perked up and ready to go.”
Marty loves talking to the children and young people who ring the helpline. “When you hear that they’re getting less anxious and they’re leaving a call with a sense of empowerment, you can’t beat that feeling,” he says.
He’s quick to point out that the calls aren’t all “doom and gloom, sometimes someone just wants to tell you that they played a football match and scored a goal”.
Childline volunteers are the heart and soul behind Childline’s 24/7 listening service for children and young people. These men and women go out of their way time and again to offer support to those who need it, whenever they need it, no matter the reason.
Marty bucks the trend in another way – he lives in south county Dublin, the area where people are least likely to volunteer according to the CSO.
The Childline listening service is now recruiting volunteers for its units in Dun Laoghaire, Cork and Drogheda. Its 24/7 listening service is free and confidential and can be reached online or by phone.
Childline volunteers come from all walks of life and are united by one common purpose: to help ensure no child or young person in Ireland has to face their challenges alone, no matter how big or small.
Volunteers receive full training in advance of answering their first contact and ongoing support and upskilling thereafter.
Childline Unit Manager Mary says: “Childline volunteers play a vital role in helping to ensure there is always someone there to listen, support and empower children and young people in Ireland when they seek a listening ear. The Childline training course is a comprehensive course which equips volunteers with the skills to deliver a quality service to children.”
Another volunteer Liz says that although she was initially nervous at the thought of becoming a volunteer with Childline, she is delighted that she did it. “People always think that you’re dealing with the most neglected children of society but this is not necessarily the truth, so many children just need to talk. It tugs at my heartstrings that so many children need Childline.”
If you would like more information on becoming a Childline volunteer at one of our units in Drogheda, Cork or Dun Laoghaire and helping the service to listen to children and young people, please contact https://www.ispcc.ie/volunteer-with-childline/
To hear more from Marty Guilfoyle, go to https://youtu.be/foNcQ79RIBo?si=4fxq0_rybDxpJqwR
Notes to Editors
For more information, please contact Rowena Walsh, ISPCC Media and Communications Coordinator Tel: 087 2997872
Email: [email protected]
ISPCC volunteer Marty Guilfoyle and ISPCC spokespeople are available for interview
About ISPCC
ISPCC is a charity dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and young people. The charity provides a suite of Childline services and supports for children and young people up to and including those aged 18 years old. Childline’s 24-hour support line can be contacted for FREE, 365 days a year 24/7. Children can chat online at childline.ie or call 1800 66 66 66.
ISPCC provide services, supports and programmes for parents/carers and those working or volunteering in child and youth settings e.g., schools, clubs, crèches etc.
Diving into Childline’s September Sea Swim Challenge
“No lines, no lanes, no limits.” This is how Steven Munatones, open water swimmer, describes the joy of submerging yourself in the deep.
Talk to any regular sea swimmer and they will extol its many benefits from boosting wellbeing and immunity to improved sleep and enjoying a wonderful sense of camaraderie among your fellow dippers.
It sounds like a tempting antidote to the stresses and strains of everyday living, doesn’t it? And it’s available to so many of us living on this island. Sometimes we just need a little push though, and ISPCC is happy to provide it this September.
So whether you have been thinking about taking the plunge for the first time or you are a regular swimmer who is looking to push themselves, ISPCC has just the challenge for you with the September Sea Swim for Childline.
This is our second year of the challenge, which prompted so many people to dip more than a toe into the waters of Ireland in 2023. It’s very straightforward: Simply sign up to do 10 swims whenever you want throughout September. You can do it as a solo challenge or with a group of friends.
This is a fantastic opportunity to nurture your mental and physical health while supporting the wellbeing of children and young people. All funds raised will do directly to Childline, Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service, to ensure that there is always someone to listen when a child or young person needs to talk.
Once you have signed up on septemberseaswim.com, Childline will send you a September Sea Swim digital pack including your own swim chart, a swim checklist that includes swimming locations nationwide and a September Sea Swim sponsorship card. Choose 10 days throughout the month and which location works best for you.
Friends and family can donate to your fundraising page by sharing on Whatsapp, Instagram, Facebook, email, Twitter and Linkedin.
Once you have completed the 10 swims, you will receive a September Sea Swim Certificate of Completion and if you raise €100 or more, we will send you a Childline by ISPCC Tote Bag – the perfect hold-all for your beach life accessories.
So go on, get out of your lane and feel the benefits of swimming for Childline.
Ends
ISPCC honoured with award for ‘hard-hitting campaign that exposed truth about childhood in Ireland’
ISPCC wins top accolade at Awards for Excellence in PR
ISPCC has received the top accolade for the Best Short-Term Media Campaign at the Awards for Excellence in Public Relations for its campaign ‘For some children, Christmas doesn’t happen’.
The awards, which have been co-hosted by the Public Relations Consultants Association Ireland (PRCA) and the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) for the past 30 years, recognise the best in Irish public relations, public affairs and internal communications across the public and private sectors.
There had been an initial 37 submissions in ISPCC’s category, which was then short-listed to a group of five finalists.
The judges said that it was a close contest, “but the winning entry was a hard-hitting campaign that showed no fear of exposing harsh truths about childhood in Ireland.”
They added that “this was a strategic and well-planned campaign, with excellent use of research and timing. Challenging objectives were clearly achieved with tangible results. Kudos to an in-house team that surely worked long hours over the holidays period.”
Deirdre McNamara, ISPCC Head of Marketing and Communications, said that “ISPCC was delighted to see our campaign recognised by our peers. This achievement is testament to the amazing work of everyone at ISPCC.
“For too many children and young people, Christmas is sadly just another day. For some, the issues they encounter all year can worsen. It can mean abuse, neglect and loneliness. For others, Christmas can present new worries and concerns. Whatever the reason, they turn to Childline for support and for someone to listen.”
“At Childline we rely heavily on public generosity to help us to be here for every child who needs us. We depend on this generosity to keep us listening 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.”
• To support Childline and help keep volunteers listening to children and young people, please support the Childline Summer appeal and donate at www.ispcc.ie.
Warning: Bogus Clothing Collections
Please be wary, we have had a number of reports of fake or scam collections
It has come to Childline’s attention that the leaflets advertising bogus clothing collections in the name of Childline by ISPCC are being circulated throughout local communities. Childline by ISPCC does not run this service and it is very concerned that people are being conned into leaving out clothes and other donations assuming that they are going to a charity but this is not the case.
You can spot when a leaflet is bogus in the following two ways: spelling mistakes – the word ‘charity’ is spelled incorrectly and appears as ‘chratiry’ and the phone number for ‘Clothes Aid Helpline’ is incorrect.
If you receive one of these bogus leaflets, you should:
- Dispose of the flyer request
- Warn your friends, family and neighbours
- Contact Childline by ISPCC to confirm any suspicious correspondence. Ring 01 234 2000 or email [email protected]
I’m worried that my child is always talking to Childline
It is important to know that Childline is a free listening service for children and young people and listens to children about anything…
Continue readingReturn your bottles and cans to make a difference to a child’s life
New charity campaign ‘Return for Children’ to support six of Ireland’s national children’s charities at selected events across the country
Re-turn, operators of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, today announced ‘Return for Children’ a new charity fundraising initiative in partnership with six of Ireland’s national Children’s charities – Barnardos Ireland, Barretstown, Childline by ISPCC, Jack & Jill, LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, and Make-A-Wish Ireland.
This is the first time that these six children’s charities have come together under one umbrella campaign.
Working with large-scale events such as festivals, concerts, and sporting matches, ‘Return for Children’ will provide attendees at participating events with the option to donate their bottle and can deposits at designated Re-turn bins for charity. The monies raised from the initiative collections will be equally divided between all six charities allowing them to continue their vital work supporting vulnerable and seriously ill children in communities across Ireland.
Collectively, the six charities represent over 165,000 service users made up of vulnerable children in our communities who are affected by poverty, abuse, neglect and bereavement and also children whose lives are affected by serious childhood illness, in some cases life-limiting.
Event organisers who would like to give their attendees the option to donate their bottle and can deposits to ‘Return for Children’ can get in touch with Re-turn by emailing [email protected]
Commenting on the launch Ciaran Foley, CEO, Re-turn, said, “We are delighted to announce our new initiative with six of Ireland’s national children’s charities. This campaign will initially be rolled out across large-scale events, allowing visitors to donate to these worthy charities, if they wish to do so.
“The donation stations will give attendees the chance to make a positive difference to children in local communities up and down the country by donating their bottles and cans. Consumers still have the option to bring their empty plastic bottle and cans back to their nearest deposit return points to get their money back.
“Today’s announcement forms part of our ongoing commitment to supporting local communities across Ireland and we look forward to working with more local community programmes in the coming months.”
Commenting on the initiative, the six charities collectively said, “We are incredibly proud to come together as a unified group of six national Children’s Charities under the ‘Return for Children’ initiative. This marks the first time all six Children’s Charities are partnering on a single campaign. Our collaboration with Re-turn demonstrates our shared commitment to supporting vulnerable children and those with serious illnesses across Ireland, while also promoting environmental sustainability.
“By donating your bottles and cans at participating stadiums and events, your efforts will have a direct impact on the lives of children in need. We urge the public to join us in this innovative effort, using the Re-turn bins at major events to help create a caring future for our children and our planet.”
Re-turn will be collecting at the following confirmed events:
• Taste of Dublin 13-16 June
• Electric Picnic 16-18 August
• The National Ploughing Championships 17-19 September
Taste of Dublin, kicking off tomorrow, Thursday 13 June, will have the designated Re-turn bins at the entrance and exit collecting drinks container deposits for the ‘Return for Children’ campaign.
Attendees at events are under no obligation to donate their drinks container deposits. Anyone who would like to get their deposit back, should bring their drinks container to the nearest Deposit Return Points after an event.
Event organisers or local organisations and communities who want to fundraise through Re-turn logo plastic bottle and can collections for their own chosen charities, can get information and guidance on how to best do this by contacting [email protected]
Anxiety levels are rising among exam students and their parents, but ISPCC can help with free webinars
It’s that time of year again… the spectre of the dreaded exams is looming for students and their parents, but ISPCC can help.
Students aren’t the only ones who need support in the run up to exam time, parents do too.
After all, how can you help your anxious child when you’re feeling anxious yourself? It’s only natural for stresses build up as the exams draw closer and it’s a pressurised time for everyone at home.
A parent or carer can’t help their child if they feel ill-equipped to do so and it can be easy for them to feel as if they have failed their child when they see them suffering from anxiety.
ISPCC is offering two free webinars on coping with exam anxiety – the first is specifically for parents and carers, while the second will focus on young people along with their parents and carers.
The two-part series will focus on explaining what anxiety actually is and how it manifests itself, support for dealing with an anxious child, anxiety management tips and tools and Childline’s Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing programmes, which provide free ongoing support for both young people and their parents.
The first webinar for parents and carers takes place on Monday, May 13, from 7pm to 8pm. The second, which is aimed at young people aged 12 years and over as well as their parents and carers, is on Tuesday, May 14, from 7pm to 7.30pm.
They will be hosted by ISPCC parenting lead Siobhan Harvey and Niamh Clarke, Manager of ISPCC Smart Moves programme, while Bree O’Neill who manages Childline’s Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing programmes will be the keynote speaker.
For more information on the webinar for parents and carers, please click here
To find out more about the webinar aimed at young people, please click here
Anxiety levels are rising among exam students and their parents, but ISPCC can help with free webinars
It’s that time of year again… the spectre of the dreaded exams is looming for students and their parents, but ISPCC can help.
Students aren’t the only ones who need support in the run up to exam time, parents do too.
After all, how can you help your anxious child when you’re feeling anxious yourself? It’s only natural for stresses build up as the exams draw closer and it’s a pressurised time for everyone at home.
A parent or carer can’t help their child if they feel ill-equipped to do so and it can be easy for them to feel as if they have failed their child when they see them suffering from anxiety.
ISPCC is offering two free webinars on coping with exam anxiety – the first is specifically for parents and carers, while the second will focus on young people along with their parents and carers.
The two-part series will focus on explaining what anxiety actually is and how it manifests itself, support for dealing with an anxious child, anxiety management tips and tools and Childline’s Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing programmes, which provide free ongoing support for both young people and their parents.
* The first webinar for parents and carers takes place on Monday, May 13, from 7pm to 8pm.
* The second, which is aimed at young people aged 12 years and over as well as their parents and carers, is on Tuesday, May 14, from 7pm to 7.30pm.
They will be hosted by ISPCC parenting lead Siobhan Harvey and Niamh Clarke, Manager of ISPCC Smart Moves programme, while Bree O’Neill who manages Childline’s Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing programmes will be the keynote speaker.
For more information on the webinar for parents and carers, please go to https://bit.ly/44riFL1
To find out more about the webinar aimed at young people, please go to https://bit.ly/3wqPVFt