Children 1st has launched a new campaign as it aims to dramatically increase the amount of families with trauma it helps
A national children's charity says it needs to double its work with children who have experienced trauma over the next five y ears.
Children 1st is appealing to people across the country to join its campaign to help thousand of children recover from experiences such as abuse or severe neglect.
The charity supported more than 10,000 families last year, and aims to double this figure by 2023, through its Give A Child Their Smile Back campaign, which launched today (Monday 8 October).
The charity’s purpose is to prevent child abuse and neglect, keep children safe in their families and communities and help young people and adults to recover from the impact of childhood adversity and trauma.
Demand for the charity’s support is growing, but to reach all the children that need them and give more children across the country their smile back, Children 1st said it needs more donations.
The nationwide campaign will launch with a 60-second TV advert, featuring Glasgow actress Paige Green, aged nine from Notre Dame High School. It powerfully captures the sense of loneliness, isolation and fear that children feel as a result of traumatic experiences and shows that recovery is possible.
The advert will air on Monday 8 October on STV during the first ad break of Coronation Street before This is Me.
Children 1st’s interim chief executive, Mary Glasgow, said: “When children experience trauma it affects every part of their childhood, from their relationships with friends and family to their ability to learn in school and to play and enjoy activities. Without support to heal from their experiences, the impact of trauma can last a lifetime – with devastating consequences.
“It’s now widely recognised that adverse childhood experiences, and the resulting trauma, are the single biggest health and social care issue affecting children and families in Scotland today. The average child in need of support has to wait months, and in many areas no specialist support is available, so we must act now.”
Since 1884, through the generous support of the public, the charity’s dedicated staff and volunteers have been working to improve the lives of children across Scotland by preventing abuse and providing help to children who have experienced harm or mistreatment. More than 130 years later, the charity maintains that this could not be more relevant to what it stands for today.
Glasgow added: “Any donation big or small will make a profound difference to the lives of many children and their families. Together, let’s help give a child their smile back.”
For more information on the charity, including how to donate to its Give A Child Their Smile Back campaign, visit the Children 1st website.
