The charity has put out a request for more help in the Edinburgh area

A charity run service protecting children from abuse in Edinburgh is urgently seeking new volunteers.

The NSPCC Schools Service in the capital managed to send volunteers to speak to 2,249 children in 28 schools in Edinburgh last year but has warned it needs more people to expand the service further in 2017.

NSPCC research shows that on average at least two children in every primary school classroom will have suffered some form of abuse or neglect.

Volunteers receive training from the charity and go to schools to deliver assemblies and workshops which teach children how to keep themselves safe.

The programme helps children from the ages of four to 11 to understand abuse in all its forms and recognise the signs that it’s happening, learn how to protect themselves and how to get help – such as by contacting Childline.

Karin Walker, Speak Out, Stay Safe area co-ordinator for Edinburgh, said: “We’re absolutely committed to ensuring as many primary school children as possible get the information they need to speak out and stay safe.

“We continue to break boundaries in Scotland and we look forward to meeting even more pupils within a wider age range in the school year ahead.

“We’re currently recruiting more volunteers to join our extremely committed team and look forward to hearing from anyone who may be interested in joining this important and innovative service.”

Matt Forde, national head of service for NSPCC Scotland, said: “This is an innovative service that ensures young children get access to essential information on all forms of abuse and neglect

“By ensuring pupils learn in an informal and interactive environment, we’re giving them the tools they need to protect themselves in the future and we really need more school service volunteers to reach more children.”

For more information on becoming a schools service volunteer visit the NSPCC website.