Anxiety levels are rising among exam students and their parents, but ISPCC can help with free webinars

student study
student study

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

Make time for breakfast… rise and shine with Childline by ISPCC this May

Childline calls on the people of Ireland to take time for breakfast and help raise vital funds for Ireland’s only 24hr listening service for children and young people

Rise and shine for Childline: Sydney, Brogan and Reggie Power tuck into a tasty breakfast, kindly sponsored by McCambridge’s Bread

We’ve all seen the ads of happy families laughing and chatting over a leisurely breakfast. So far, so unrealistic. In reality, it can be far from the morning routine in most homes across Ireland. But wouldn’t it be nice to carve out a little time at the start of day to have a family chat over your tea and toast without feeling under pressure?

This May, Childline by ISPCC is calling on families, schools, clubs and workplaces throughout the country to take time for breakfast – to sit, listen and enjoy each other’s company while hosting their own breakfast to support Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service for children and teenagers nationwide. 

In recent weeks Childline has seen a dramatic rise in demand for all its services. Since February alone, 145 children have reached out to talk to Childline staff and volunteers about self-harm, and 65 of those are repeat contacts who have then asked for help with suicide ideation.

Children and young people tell ISPCC their concerns through its 24/7 Childline listening service, through its therapeutic services and through its Shield Anti-Bullying programme. 

The benefits of breakfast go far beyond simple nutrition. Eating breakfast together provides a great opportunity to check if your children are anxious or worried about anything about the coming day.

When you sign up to host your own Rise and Shine Breakfast, you will receive your own digital pack that includes conversation starter cards designed by our in-house therapeutic experts at Childline that will help you to encourage check-ins with the children and young people in your life.

Research shows that eating family meals together has been linked to children’s overall wellbeing, improved nutrition and protection against eating disorders. It’s also associated with more physical activity and less screen time.

Childline relies on the generosity of the public to raise 65% of its funding to ensure that there is always someone to listen when a child needs to talk. And you can help Childline to continue to be there 24/7 with your own breakfast gathering. 

To find out more, go to https://childlinebreakfast.com/
So go on, this May rise and shine for Childline!

What is Coco’s law? ISPCC is offering a FREE webinar all about the law around the sharing of intimate images

Coco’s Law was born out of a tragedy and while many people may have heard about the death of Nicole ‘Coco’ Fox, few really understand the law enacted in her name. ISPCC can help. Fiona Jennings, Head of Policy and Public Policy at ISPCC, is leading a webinar explaining all about Coco’s Law on April 30th. It is free to all.

Coco died aged just 21 after relentless online bullying. Her mother Jackie campaigned tirelessly to change the law on the sharing of intimate images, and she succeeded in December 2020 when Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill, known as Coco’s Law, was signed into law.

The online world is constantly evolving and pressure on young people is ever present. The revelation that nearly one in six young teenagers were cyberbullied in 2022, according to the new World Health Organisation Europe report, an increase from 13% just four years ago, comes as little surprise to those at ISPCC who work with children and young people and see the very real impact of cyber-bullying on them.

The ISPCC webinar on Coco’s Law is an information session for parents and professionals and it will focus on the following:
• Awareness of Coco’s Law
• Recognition of the issues that it covers
• Guidance on how to avail of its provisions

Webinar details are: 
April 30, 2024, from 7pm to 7.30pm
To register for the event, please follow this link: https://bit.ly/4aOKNKb

How ISPCC can help children make the leap from ‘big’ school to secondary school

SMART MOVES

Why schools need ISPCC’s Smart Moves programme

Big life changes can be exciting but they’re also daunting and the move from primary school to secondary school can be a tough one. ISPCC can help. Its Smart Moves programme is designed to facilitate this life transition, and it has received rave reviews from users.

Smart Moves is a free, resilience- and evidence-based programme for fifth- and sixth-class pupils. There is also a secondary school programme available, which supports young people as they begin their journey in secondary school.

The primary programme is teacher-led and includes 15 short lessons covering topics from friendship to problem-solving to sleep difficulties. The secondary programme provides a total of 24 lessons, each lasting approximately 30 minutes.

According to one educational professional, “it stimulated good conversations”, while another said that the programme was very easy to use and thought-provoking, adding that “it encouraged pupils to think about potential worries, problems and routes of support”.

“There are many areas covered in the programme that both students and teachers had never considered before as part of the transition that are really important,” said a teacher, who added that “the length of programme is also a hit, we have found in the past that a little work in sixth class at the end of the year is not enough.”

For the students themselves, completing the Smart Moves programme was an overwhelmingly positive experience and they would recommend that other schools get involved in it. One sixth-class pupil said, “it made me feel more prepared by talking about my feelings and other people’s feelings”.

Niamh Clarke of ISPCC says that: “Smart Moves is based on the resilience framework and looks to build lifelong coping skills for young people. Having resilience does not mean you will not face challenges. However, it gives ability to endure these challenges and bounce back.”

The programme’s resources will be sent directly to each school at the start of the 2024/25 academic year: they include a manual for the teacher as well as a private booklet for each student in which they can explore their thoughts and feelings during each module.

ISPCC has also launched an Irish-language version of the programme for primary schools.

For more information on the supports ISPCC offers to children and young people, please go to https://www.ispcc.ie/smart-moves/




Could you help Childline listen to children?

We’re recruiting for volunteers in our Dun Laoghaire and Drogheda units. Help us be there for children and young people

Childline volunteers are the heart and soul behind its 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 offices in Dun Laoghaire 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.

An excellent team spirit and sense of support prevails at Childline units throughout the country where volunteers gather for their four-hour weekly shift. Volunteers receive full training in advance of answering their first contact and ongoing support and upskilling thereafter.

Childline regional supervisor Mary Nolan Durkan 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.”

One of Childline’s volunteers 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 contact [email protected]

 

Kicking off a winning collaboration between Childline, DDSL and the beautiful game

How Childline and DDSL are teaming up to help ensure there’s always someone to listen when a child needs to talk

Childline by ISPCC and the Dublin District Soccer League (DDSL) are two organisations, united by a common cause – our wish to support children and young people. Childline and DDSL are delighted to announce our three-year partnership, the aim of which is to ensure that children and young people know they can always reach out, no matter what is on their mind.

Childline is home to Ireland’s only 24/7 listening services for children and young people. Childline staff and volunteers ensure that there is always someone to listen when a child or young person needs to talk. 

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

Childline is very grateful to Dublin and District Schoolboys’/girls’ Soccer League for donating 50c of each child’s annual registration fee to the organisation and is looking forward to our three-year partnership and commitment to supporting the well-being of children, parents and clubs within DDSL. 

DDSL, the leading youth football development league, is an organisation responsible for organising and overseeing competitive football matches for school children in the greater Dublin area. 

John Church, CEO of ISPCC, says: “DDSL plays a key role in the grassroots soccer community, Childline is here for every child and young person, and together we can make a real difference to the lives of the young members of our society. We can ensure that the over 35,000 children who are registered with the DDSL feel supported, listen to and informed.”

 

“We at the DDSL are delighted to partner with Childline and support the tremendous work they do in the support to children and parents when they need it most,” says Niall O’Driscoll, Director Dublin & District Schoolboys/girls League. 

 

“We will be launching dedicated training/educational supports for clubs, volunteers and parents using ISPCC’s Shield anti-bullying programme together with Childline’s 24/7 listening service, which is always available for any child needing help or just to talk.

 

“The player/child-centred approach of both organisations will be used to increase awareness and help adults understand the many issues and challenges our kids face in the current society.”

 

As part of its collaboration with DDSL, Childline has committed to providing: 

• workshops to DDSL and their clubs to ensure that every coach, parent and child has access to the supports they need

• access to Childline’s Anti-Bullying programme Shield for all 132 clubs

• supports for parents, coaches and children published on the DDSL website, socials and emails to the children’s guardians and coaches

Childline will be fundraising at the DDSL’s premier event this year – the Cup Final on May 19, 24, 25 and 26. Those attending will be able to donate to Childline.  All donations are very gratefully received. 

 

 

 

Get your runners on this Easter weekend for fun, frolics and a family day out!

Childline Family Fun Run 2024

Fancy a fun day out for the whole family this Easter with face painting, goody bags, music and much, much more? Then make your way to the West Pier in Dun Laoghaire for Childline’s inaugural Family Fun Run on Easter Saturday, March 30.

The day before Easter Sunday is a perfect one for an active get-together with the whole family, whether you fancy a walk, jog or run. The next day you’ll have the perfect excuse to indulge yourself with an Easter Egg or two or three…

The course is a total of just 3km (1.5km out along the pier and then back), and is suitable for everyone, including parents with strollers, small children, teenagers and not forgetting grandparents.

Whether you’re an active family, or you and your family are looking for a way to spend quality time together while giving back to an amazing cause; we have the perfect challenge for the whole family. 

To register for the event or find out more, go to Childline Family Fun Run| Fundraising Event Ireland (https://www.idonate.ie/event/childlinefamilyfunrun)

The event takes place between 10am and 12pm on the lower level of the West Pier and it’s open to all combinations of families and all ages, although those under 16 must be accompanied by an older family member. 

Once you’ve completed the pier run, you will receive a Childline Family Fun Run Certificate of Completion. Make sure you’ve got space on the fridge!

ISPCC needs to raise over 75% 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.

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

Childline by ISPCC urges Ireland to get chatting with our latest fundraising campaign

Get talking while walking and help children and young people by supporting the ‘Lap and Chat’ fundraising campaign from Childline by ISPCC. This latest campaign was developed in direct response to the worries of callers to Childline, ISPCC’s 24/7 listening service.

Both walking and talking are good for us but, together, they have added benefits. International research indicates that people with anxious tendencies feel more at ease with the person they were interacting with if they aren’t making eye contact with that person.

Childline is Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service for children and young people, and volunteers have increasingly been hearing callers share their mental health concerns.

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 school students sharing their worries every day so we know how vital it is for children and young people to share what’s on their mind.

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://ispcc.enthuse.com/cf/lap-and-chat-2024

ISPCC will provide a virtual school talk, reflection workbook for students, an information booklet about its school services and a completion certification.

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

Who are our children talking to online, asks ISPCC as it launches new campaign ahead of Safer Internet Day 2024.

ISPCC has developed a new ad campaign alerting parents to the dangers of online grooming in the run up to Safer Internet Day on February 6.

One thing we know for sure is that the online landscape is ever-changing, and that’s a scary prospect for even the most tech-savvy of parents.

We have released a range of helpful articles and videos on our Digital Ready Hub, and Parenting Hub to help equip parents with the tools to teach their children how to stay safe when they’re online while also encouraging them not to fear new technology. 

We are also delighted to bring you this FREE webinar series to coincide with Safer Internet Day 2024. These webinars aim to support families and their young people to be safe online. 

Register below:

  • ‘Don’t teach your kids to fear the online world, teach them to navigate It’ Parents webinar, Wednesday, February 7, 7pm to 8pm. Click here to register
  • “Don’t fear the online world, navigate it’ Parents and young people webinar, Thursday, February 8, 7pm to 7.30pm. Click here to register

Parents, face your fears, teach your children to be safe online with FREE webinars from ISPCC

January 22, 2024

New year, new you, new evolutions in the online world. One thing we know for sure is that the online landscape is ever-changing, and that’s a scary prospect for even the most tech-savvy of parents. 

But ISPCC can help equip you with the tools to teach your children how to stay safe when they’re online while also encouraging them not to fear new technology. 

ISPCC parenting lead Siobhan Harvey and Niamh Clarke, Manager of ISPCC Smart Moves programme, are hosting a one-hour webinar designed to help parents to learn more about online safety and to develop the key skills necessary to support their child. 

But it is also important to involve your child in learning how to safely navigate online. So the following day, ISPCC is hosting a second, 30-minute webinar aimed at children aged 12 years and over accompanied by a parent.

The aim of this series of webinars is to help parents and carers to recognise ways to interact with your child’s online world and day-to-day experiences and to allow young people to discuss their feelings in a safe space.

Our goal is to encourage parents to reflect on how you might support your child to navigate the online world, as well as implement digital boundaries. We will provide guidance on how parents and young people can deal with cyberbullying and upsetting content online and we will offer practical solutions and tips to help your child stay safe online.

ISPCC’s webinars will provide a non-judgemental place to ask questions, while also offering key take-aways in bite-size, easily digestible chunks. 

We at ISPCC know only too well the importance of staying safe online. Children and young people tell us their concerns through our 24/7 Childline listening service, through our therapeutic services and through our Shield Anti-Bullying programme. 

We understand that parents, carers and young people are concerned that our increasing reliance on digital technologies are exacerbating feelings of anxiety and depression among our youth, and we’re here to listen and to help.

Webinar details are:  

  • Parents webinar, Wednesday, February 7, 7pm to 8pm. Click here to register
  • Parents and young people webinar, Thursday, February 8, 7pm to 7.30pm. Click here to register