Get up, get out and get talking to help Childline by ISPCC help children and young people in Ireland

Lap and Chat for Childline

Childline by ISPCC urges the nation to get chatting with our Lap and Chat fundraising campaign

February 12, 2025

Get talking while walking and help children and young people by supporting the ‘Lap and Chat’ fundraising campaign from Childline by ISPCC.

The aim of this wellbeing initiative is to help children and teenagers open up about their worries, listen to others and reflect on their feelings with the added benefit of getting out and about and being active.

The campaign was developed in direct response to the worries of callers to Childline, Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service.  

We know from talking to children and young people that their worries range from sibling rivalry and differences in music tastes to exam anxiety, confusion about sexuality and self-harming.

This spring, Childline by ISPCC is calling on schools, clubs and creches to take part in our latest campaign by walking a lap while having a chat with a friend in the yard, school or local area. 

We listen to children and young people sharing their worries every day so we know how vital it is for them to discuss what’s on their mind with people they trust. 

Childline provides a supportive listening ear for all those worries and anything else on the minds of our callers.  “If a worry is big to any of our callers, it’s big to us at Childline,” says John Church, ISPCC CEO. 

ISPCC needs to raise up to 75% of its funding each year from donations and the charity is grateful for all support which helps ensure its services and supports are available to children and young people all day, every day.  

To find out more about the campaign, including information on how to sign up a school, club or creche, visit https://www.ispcc.ie/event/lap-and-chat-for-childline-2025/

 ISPCC will provide a virtual wellbeing talk and reflection workbooks to help those embarking on Lap and Chat to further explore their feelings and any concerns they may have.

The Lap and Chat event can be held any time in March. 

 

Revealed: How one-third of young people* may be addicted to social media

New research shows that one in three young respondents neglects work, family or school several times a week or more because of social media use

This Safer Internet Day (11.02.25), experts from Ireland and Europe will discuss research revealing concerns over the exposure of young people to harmful content online, powerful algorithms and the need for effective digital media literacy

Dublin, February 11th, 2024:  Today, February 11th marks the 22nd anniversary of Safer Internet Day, a landmark global event in the online safety calendar and celebrated in over 180 countries.

New research from the first ever EU-wide survey on loneliness** indicates that one-third of young respondents exhibit patterns of social-media addiction. They have neglected work, family or school several times a week or more because of their social-media habits. The detrimental impact of this will be discussed today among experts from Ireland and Europe as part of Safer Internet Day.

In the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre study, intensive users are defined as respondents who report that they spend more than two hours a day on social media sites or instant messaging tools. Spending this length of time on social media is associated with a substantial increase in the prevalence of loneliness among young people.  However, researchers also point out that how social media is used matters more than how often it is used.

The Irish Safer Internet Centre knows through engagement with children and young people that they are concerned about navigating the ever-evolving digital landscape, and they freely discuss that they feel they spend too much time online. However, more research is crucial to truly understand the challenges they face. Consequently, the Irish Safer Internet Centre will be devoting additional resources to embarking on continuous research in this area in the coming year.

The theme for Safer Internet Day 2025 is “Prepare / Protect / Thrive: Navigating Algorithms and Influencers.” This theme encourages parents, schools, educators, young people and all stakeholders to consider how algorithms and influencers shape young people’s lives.

The key issues that will be discussed during Safer Internet Day 2025 include harmful online content, safety by design, regulation and children’s rights, among many others.

Safer Internet Day 2025 kicks off today with an event in Microsoft’s Dream Space. It will feature keynote addresses from Professor Debbie Ging (DCU), 5Rights Foundation and the European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency, which is part of the Joint Research Centre at the European Commission. In addition, the event will include contributions from the Online Safety Commissioner Niamh Hodnett; Webwise Youth Advisory Panel; the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission; ISPCC; Media Literacy Ireland; Microsoft, Hotline.ie; and National Parents Council.

Minister for Education Helen McEntee TD said: “As Minister for Education and Youth, it is a key priority of mine to work to safeguard and support the wellbeing of our pupils, students and school communities across Ireland. I am very pleased therefore to join Webwise and the Irish Safer Internet Centre, as well as experts from across Ireland and Europe, in marking Safer Internet Day today and highlighting the key themes of prepare, protect and thrive.

“While technology brings many exciting benefits and opportunities, it can also expose pupils and students to negative impacts. It is imperative that we use every lever available to us to help ensure they can stay safe and have the very best opportunity to thrive.

“I look forward to prioritising this area and to working collaboratively with our pupils, students, parents, teachers, school communities and wider education stakeholders over the months and years ahead to make sure our pupils and students are digitally literate, can safely harness the best of what technology presents and can get a mental break from technology too, to empower them to make friends and enjoy their time at school.”

Jane McGarrigle, National Co-ordinator, Webwise, said: “Technology is everywhere and it isn’t something that should be feared. We believe in encouraging children to engage with new technologies, however we are also cognisant of the importance of preparing them for the dangers they may encounter online. We want to empower them with the coping skills and resilience they need to thrive in the digital world. We also want to assure them that there is always support available if they need it and if they feel that their use of technology has become problematic.”

Online Safety Commissioner Niamh Hodnett said: “Coimisiún na Meán is focused on shaping a media landscape that safeguards the rights, wellbeing and development of children, and their safe engagement online. We are delighted to be supporting Webwise and their Safer Internet Day campaign this which this year is Prepare / Protect / Thrive: Navigating Algorithms and Influencers. Following the launch of our Online Safety Code in October of last year, Coimisiún na Meán’s Online Safety Framework is now in place, and we are continuing to prioritise a safer internet for children and young people.”

Safer Internet Day in Ireland is coordinated by the Irish Safer Internet Centre, a partnership between Hotline, ISPCC, National Parents Council and Webwise, providing a range of complementary online safety services, including an education and awareness centre, child and parent helplines and a hotline. The Centre is coordinated by the Department of Justice and co-funded by the European Union.

*In the EU study, young people are categorised as aged between 16 and 30 years

**The EU-wide study on loneliness (EU-LS) was conducted by the Joint Research Centre as part of a European Parliament pilot project in partnership with the Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion. To learn more about the paper on Loneliness and Social Media Use in the European Union, click here

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Wanted: Volunteers to help Childline listen to children in need

2 women at call center

New year, new challenges facing Childline as children and young people increasingly reach out for support. Childline needs volunteers to be ready to listen to any child when they need to talk.

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.

The Childline listening service is now recruiting volunteers for its office in Dun Laoghaire. 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.  

Many children and young people need to talk to a supportive listener. A total of 820 children and young people contacted Ireland’s only 24-hour listening service during Christmas*, representing a 12% increase in connections made in 2024 compared with Christmas 2023.  

Childline needs more volunteers to be ready to listen to these children and young people.

Volunteers receive full training in advance of answering their first contact and ongoing support and upskilling thereafter. The first training session of 2025 starts in February. 

 An excellent team spirit and sense of support prevails at Childline units throughout the country where volunteers gather for their four-hour weekly shift. 

Childline volunteer Dee says that she never expected to get so much back from volunteering in her own life. “I have learned so many new skills and made friends from all walks of life. We are all united with a common purpose: to make sure every child has somewhere they can turn.”

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 our unit in Dun Laoghaire and helping the service to listen to children and young people, please go to https://www.ispcc.ie/volunteer-with-childline/

ISPCC reveals that for many children in Ireland, Christmas was a day of trauma and despair with over 820 children reaching out to Childline over the Christmas period*

December 26th will be one of busiest days of the year for Childline with data showing a 12% increase in contacts made to Ireland’s only 24-hour listening service for children and young people

 Dublin, December 26th, 2024 – Childline, today (St Stephen’s Day 2024), reveals that 820 children and young people contacted Ireland’s only 24-hour listening service during Christmas*, representing a 12% increase in connections made this year compared with Christmas 2023.  The heartbreaking data complied over a three-day Christmas period (December 23rd, 24th and 25th) shows that:

For many children, Christmas is not a time of joy but one of fear and misery as they contact Childline to talk about: suicide, abuse, neglect, bereavement and loneliness

There has been a noticeable trend over the last year whereby those children engaging with Childline are at extremely high risk of harm. Sadly, such stark revelations come as no surprise to the dedicated team of staff and volunteers at ISPCC.   

Elizabeth Donlon Fox, National Childline Listening Co-ordinator said: “Our data reveals that today, December 26th, will be one of the busiest days of the year for our team of staff and volunteers at Childline, and we expect that over 250 children and young people will reach out to us today because of something that has happened to them over Christmas.”

John Church, CEO, ISPCC said: “For too many children and young people, Christmas simply doesn’t happen. They turn to Childline for support, and our amazing staff and volunteers are there for them 24/7 over Christmas, as they are throughout the year. We depend on donations for up to 90% of the funding which keeps us listening 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year. Without this help, we would not be able to be here for every child who needs us.”

Additional statistics from Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service for children and young people reveal:  

  •      * 50 children a year are in the process of trying to take their own life while on the phone to the Childline team    
  •      * Over 200 actively suicidal children have contacted Childline during the last year
  •      * The Childline team has had 1,300 suicide-related contacts over the past 12 months

Too many children and young people don’t have the Christmas that they dream of and deserve. Instead, a day that should be full of joy is nothing special and sometimes a lot worse. To help Childline help those children whose Christmas dreams have turned to nightmares, go to ispcc.ie  

*Christmas statistics refer to December 23, December 24 and December 25

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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

September Sea Swim 2024

“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.

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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

A warning message, showing a fake collection sticker
A warning message, showing a fake collection sticker

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]